Television producer Sheldon Leonard saw the production and wanted to cast him in The Andy Griffith Show. Ronald Reagan hosted the production on General Electric Theatre and made special mention of Howard's contribution as Barnaby. "If it wasn't, then I simply wouldn't have to do it again." Howard enjoyed the experience and continued acting in two CBS teleplays: "Black December," on Playhouse 90, and "Barnaby and Mr. "My parents talked it over and decided that since my dad would be there and since it was in Europe, it might be a good experience," Howard later told Peter Gethers in Esquire. In order to perform in the film, Howard was required to travel to Ireland. Three years later, Howard was cast in a feature film called The Journey, starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. In 1956, Howard appeared on television in episodes of Kraft Television Theatre and The Red Skelton Show. His father directed the summer stock performance at the Hilltop Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland.
He appeared on stage at the age of two in The Seven Year Itch. Young Howard (then called Ronny) appeared in his first movie, Frontier Woman, when he was just 18 months old. His father, Rance Howard, worked as an actor and director of plays, and his mother, Jean Howard, was also an actress.
Ron Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on March 1, 1954, to parents with theatrical careers. "I've always been a little shy, tended to keep to myself, was never sure what other people think of me, not real easy to get to know," Howard told Todd McCarthy in Film Comment. Despite living a life in the public eye, Howard has garnered a reputation as a "nice guy" and describes himself as reserved. He became well-known over the years for his role as freckle-faced Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, as redheaded Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, and later as a respected director of films, including Splash, Parenthood, the acclaimed Apollo 13, and Ransom. He appeared in his first movie at the age of 18 months, and remained in the entertainment industry throughout his life. Ron Howard doesn't remember a time in his life when people didn't ask him for autographs.