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Rance Howard

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Rance Howard
Howard in 2007
Born
Harold Engle Beckenholdt

(1928-11-17)November 17, 1928
Newkirk, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedNovember 25, 2017(2017-11-25) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Oklahoma
OccupationActor
Years active1948–2017
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1949; died 2000)​
  • Judy Howard
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2001; died 2017)​
Children
Relatives
Signature

Rance Howard (born Harold Engle Beckenholdt; November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017) was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He was the father of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, and grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.

Howard appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), Splash (1984), Ed Wood (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Nebraska, and Max Rose (both 2013). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for co-producing the television film The Time Crystal (1981).

Early life

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Howard was born Harold Engle Beckenholdt in Newkirk, Kay County, Oklahoma, the son of Ethel Cleo (née Tomlin) and Engel Beckenholdt, a farmer.[1] He changed his name to "Rance Howard" when he became an actor.[2] Howard graduated from Shidler High School in 1946 and studied at the University of Oklahoma.[1][3]

While in the Air Force, Howard directed plays in Special Services, a unit that provided entertainment for service members.[4][5]

Career

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His professional acting career began in 1948 when he went to New York City, auditioned, and landed a job in a children's touring company.[1] The role that got him noticed nationally for television and film was playing the part of Lindstrom in the touring company of the play Mister Roberts with Henry Fonda in 1950, portraying the character for about a year-and-a-half in major cities across the U.S.[6]

Both Rance and elder son Ron, who was two at the time, made their feature-film debuts together in the 1956 Western Frontier Woman.[7] Later in the 1950s, Rance's roles included his TV debut in the series Kraft Theatre, on which he appeared three times in 1956–57.[8]

After son Ron went on to play Opie in The Andy Griffith Show in the early 1960s, Rance had guest parts in five episodes of the show.[9] Howard was known best for his role on television in 25 episodes of the 1960s TV series Gentle Ben starring his younger son, Clint. Howard played Henry Boomhauer, a backwoodsman who befriended the family.[7] Another well-known TV role was on Babylon 5, in which he had a recurring role as David Sheridan, the father of Babylon 5 captain John Sheridan.[10] He also starred in the short-lived 2000 TV series Driving Me Crazy.[8] His television guest appearances include Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Kung Fu, The Waltons, CBS Schoolbreak Special 1986 episode "The Drug Knot", Angel, Married... with Children, 7th Heaven, Cold Case, That's So Raven, and two appearances on Seinfeld (as different characters).[8][9] On The Waltons, Howard portrayed Dr. McIver in five different episodes, one of which included Ron.[9]

Howard appeared in over 100 films, including the movies The Music Man (1962) (in an uncredited bit part playing "Oscar Jackson"), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), and many other films.[8] Howard acted in many of his son Ron's films including Splash (1984), Cocoon (1985), Apollo 13 (1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005) and Frost/Nixon (2008).[1][7] He also appeared as Dottie and Kit's father in A League of Their Own (1992),[7] as well as in the films Ed Wood (1994), Independence Day (1996) and Max Rose (2013). In 2013, he played Woody Grant's brother in Nebraska.[10] He often took parts as a priest or minister, county sheriff, or western marshal, and made numerous appearances in films by Joe Dante.[1]

His final film role, completed in September 2017, is also the largest in his career. He plays the role of Carl Robbins in the Michael Worth road-trip drama, Apple Seed, playing on film for the first time the father of his real-life son Clint.[11]

Personal life

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Howard married actress Jean Speegle Howard in Winchester, Kentucky, in 1949.[12][13] They remained married until her death in September 2000.[14] Their sons are actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, their granddaughters are actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.[10] Ron was born while his father served three years in the United States Air Force.[15][16]

In 2001, Howard married Judy Howard.[11] Judy Howard died in January 2017 in Burbank, 10 months before Howard's death.[17]

Howard died on the morning of November 25, 2017, in Los Angeles, California from heart failure spurred on by a West Nile virus infection.[11][18][19]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1956 Frontier Woman Prewitt
1962 The Music Man Oscar Jackson Uncredited
1963 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Camp Counselor
1965 Village of the Giants Deputy Son Ron also starred
The Desert Raven Reggie
1966 An Eye for an Eye Harry
1967 Gentle Giant Tater Coughlin
Cool Hand Luke Sheriff Uncredited
1969 Old Paint Cowboy Short film
1970 The Wild Country Cleve Uncredited
1972 Bloody Trail Jake
1973 Salty —
1974 Where the Lilies Bloom Roy Luther
Chinatown Irate Farmer
1976 Eat My Dust! Clark
1977 The Legend of Frank Woods Howard Blacker
Heroes Veteran's Hospital Orderly
Grand Theft Auto Ned Slinker Also director
Another Man, Another Chance Wagonmaster
1978 The Amazing Mr. No Legs Lou's Sidekick
1979 Mr. No Legs Mr. No Legs' sidekick
1981 Smokey Bites the Dust Coach
1983 Love Letters Joseph Chesley
Forever and Beyond Technician
1984 The Lonely Guy Minister
Splash McCollough Also director
1985 Cocoon St. Petersburg Detective
Creator Mr. Spencer
1986 Gung Ho Mayor Conrad Zwart Also director
1987 Innerspace Supermarket Customer #1
1988 Dark Before Dawn Logan
Merchants of Death Robert Morrison
1989 Trust Me Vern
The 'Burbs Detective #2
Listen to Me Tucker's Father
Parenthood Dean at College Also director
Limit Up Chuck Feeney
1991 9 1/2 Ninjas! Ninja Negotiator
1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Elderly Man
Far and Away Tomlin Also director
Son Ron
Universal Soldier John Devreux
Wishman Det. Sturgis
Ticks Sheriff Parker
1993 Fearless Bald Cabby
Ed and His Dead Mother Rev. Praxton
Snapdragon Priest
1994 Forced to Kill Rance
The Paper Alicia's Doctor Also director
The Cowboy Way Old Gentleman
Terminal Velocity Chuck (pilot)
Ed Wood Old Man McCoy
Little Giants Priest
Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter Todd Brandell
1995 Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest Eddie Calhoun
Savate Farmer
Apollo 13 Reverend Also director
1996 Sgt. Bilko Mr. Robbins
Tiger Heart Mr. Johnson
Where Truth Lies Judge Bloom
Independence Day Chaplain
Mars Attacks! Texan Investor
Ghosts of Mississippi Ralph Hargrove
1997 Busted Mayor Davies
Traveller Farmer
Money Talks Reverend
The Lay of the Land Dr. Brown
Sparkle and Charm Mr. Houghton
1998 The Sender Max
Chairman of the Board Rev. Hatley
Land of the Free Hotel Manager
Small Soldiers Husband
The Night Caller Hank
Evasive Action Train Engineer Uncredited
Psycho Mr. Lowery
1999 Happy, Texas Ely
Malevolence Dr. Burns
Abilene Arliss
2000 Love & Sex Earl
Ping! Old Man
Big Wind on Campus Grandpa Morton
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Elderly Timekeeper Also director
Son Ron
2001 Joe Dirt Bomb Squad Cop
A Crack in the Floor Floyd Fryed
Rat Race Feed the Earth Spokesman
A Beautiful Mind White-Haired Patient Also director
Son Ron
2002 D-Tox Geezer
Legend of the Phantom Rider Doc Fisher
Jumping for Joy —
Leaving the Land Uncle Solomon
2003 The Long Ride Home Old man
Ghost Rock Cash
The Missing Telegraph Operator Also director
Son Ron
2004 Death and Texas Circuit Court Judge
Toolbox Murders Chas Rooker
The Alamo Governor Smith
Eulogy Lance Sommers
Back by Midnight Priest
2005 Cinderella Man Announcer Al Fazin Also director
Son Ron
Killing Cupid Zeke
Miracle at Sage Creek Doctor Babcock
2006 Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story James Kennedy
2007 Georgia Rule Dog Bite Man
Be My Baby Zippy the Messenger
Ghost Town Sheriff Tom Parker
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Preacher
2008 Grizzly Park Ranger Howard
Drillbit Taylor Older Man
Keith Old Man Uncredited
Audie & the Wolf Dr. Maleosis
Frost/Nixon Ollie Also director
Son Ron
2009 Play the Game Mervin Lavine
Angels & Demons Cardinal Beck Also director
Son Ron
Within Deli Owner
Boppin' at the Glue Factory Walker Bill
2010 Valentine's Day Bistro Gardens Diner
Bloodworth Ira
Yohan: The Child Wanderer Old Knut
Once Fallen Harry
Jonah Hex Telegrapher
The Genesis Code Dr. Tolley
The Trial Judge Danielson
2011 The Dilemma Burt Also director
Son Ron
Night Club Chuck
InSight Cemetery Presider
Spooky Buddies Mr. Joseph Johnson Direct-to-video
Rosewood Lane Fred Crumb
Redemption: For Robbing the Dead Doctor
Let Go Dimples
2012 Easy Rider: The Ride Back Andrew Jackson Bennett
2013 Max Rose Walter Prewitt
Nebraska Uncle Ray
The Lone Ranger Engineer
Richard Rossi 5th Anniversary of Sister Aimee James Kennedy
Gone Dark Charles
2015 Junction The Clerk
2016 40 Nights Devil as an Old Man
Kalebegiak José Mari
2017 Chasing the Star Devil as an Old Man
Broken Memories Jasper
2018 Sister Aimee 10th Anniversary James Kennedy Posthumous release
2019 The Christ Slayer Devil as an Old Man
Apple Seed Carl
Dads Rance Howard

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1956
1957 		Kraft Television Theatre — 3 episodes
1958 How to Marry a Millionaire Corporal Episode: "Hit and Run"
1959 Bat Masterson Fletcher Episode: "Promised Land"
1962
1964 		Combat! Wilkerson Episode: "The Bridge at Chalons"
The Andy Griffith Show Bus Driver / First Treasury Agent /

Governor's Chauffeur / Party Guest

5 episodes[9]
1966 That Girl Customer #2 2 episodes
The Virginian Luka Episode: "Ride a Cock-Horse to Laramie Cross"
1967 The Monroes Al Episode: "Teaching the Tiger to Purr"
1967
1969 		Gentle Ben Henry Boomhauer 13 episodes
1970 Then Came Bronson Mr. Carl Mueller Episode: "That Undiscovered Country..."
1971 Night Gallery Cameraman Episode: "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes/Miss Lovecraft Sent Me/The Hand of Borgus Weems/Phantom of What Opera?"
1971
1972 		Bonanza Sam / Bogardus 2 episodes
1973 The F.B.I. Ranger Episode: "Desperate Journey"
1973 Kung Fu Sheriff Byrd Episode: "The Hoots"
1973
1975 		The Waltons Dr. McIvers 5 episodes
1974 Gunsmoke Frank Benton 2 episodes
1976
1979 		Happy Days Announcer / Ben Wilson / Mr. Burkhart 3 episodes
1977 Little House on the Prairie Simpson Episode: "Quarantine"
1978 Battlestar Galactica Farnes Episode: "The Magnificent Warriors"
1978 Cotton Candy Mr. Bremmercamp Also director
Television film
1979 Laverne & Shirley Doctor Episode: "Who's Papa?"
1981 Mork & Mindy Guard Episode: "Mork Meets Robin Williams"
1983 The Thorn Birds Doctor Episode: "Part 3"
1984 Dynasty Gifford Episode: "The Voice: Part 2"
1985 The Long Hot Summer Wilk Television film
1986 A Smoky Mountain Christmas Doctor Television film
1986 Return To Mayberry Preacher Made for TV Movie
1989
1992 		Baywatch Fireman / Joe 2 episodes
1991 Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter Bernie Television film
1993 Coach Herman Van Dam Episode: "Christmas of the Van Damned"
1993
1996 		Seinfeld Blind Man / Farmer 2 episodes
1994 Diagnosis: Murder Driver Episode: "Murder with Mirrors"
1995 Problem Child 3: Junior in Love The Janitor Television film
1996
1997 		Babylon 5 David Sheridan 3 episodes
Married... with Children Edwin / Reverend 2 episodes
1996 Melrose Place Motel Manager Episode: "Full Metal Betsy"
1997 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Reginald Hannon Episode: "The Viewing/The Subway/Kid in the Closet/Justice is Served/The Tractor"
1998 Clueless Mr. Bell 2 episodes
Two of a Kind Mr. Fillmore 2 episodes
1999 Just Shoot Me! Blind Flower Guy Episode: "When Nina Met Elliott"
2000 7th Heaven Old Man in Park Episode: "Help!"
2001 Angel Marcus Roscoe / Angel Episode: "Carpe Noctem"
2002 That '80s Show Mr. Bailey Episode: "Tuesday Comes Over"
2004 Cold Case Buddie Episode: "Factory Girls"
That's So Raven Murphy Episode: "Sweeps"
2005 Ghost Whisperer Dirk Abrams Episode: "Lost Boys"
2006 CSI: NY Samuel Cooper Episode: "Fare Game"
2006 Sasquatch Mountain Harris Zeff Television film
2009 ER Dr. Oliver Kostin Episode: "A Long, Strange Trip"
Lie to Me Joe Metz Episode: "Moral Waiver"
2011 Workaholics Jerry Episode: "The Strike"
2012 Grey's Anatomy Martin Carroll Episode: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Eugene Episode: "Purity"
2014 Bones Jerold Norsky 2 episodes
Kroll Show Dr. Stanley Armond Episode: "Banff Is on Fire"
Review Willie Episode: "Teaching the Tiger to Purr"
2016 The X-Files Old Man Episode: "My Struggle"
2018 Arrested Development Rance Howard Episode: "Emotional Baggage"
Posthumous release

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Ellis, Ralph (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, actor and father of Ron Howard, dies at 89, family says". CNN. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  2. ^ Pickle, Betsy (July 30, 2004). "Actress proud of famous dad". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  3. ^ "Former resident returns: Shidler alumni speaker to be screen, TV star". Pawhuska Daily Journal-Capital. Vol. 67, no. 195. Pawhuska, Oklahoma. September 29, 1976. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Myers, Marc (October 12, 2021). "Actors Ron Howard and Clint Howard Talk About Coming of Age on Movie Sets". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  5. ^ Klemesrud, Judy (June 28, 1977). "No Milkshake Vacation for Ron". Shreveport Journal. Vol. 83. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. p. 8B – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Pat (July 22, 2012). "Rance Howard At 83: 'I Never Play The Ron Howard Card'". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e Balsamo, Michael (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, actor dad of director Ron Howard, dies at 89". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d "Biography: Rance Howard". TCM.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d Carlton, Bob (March 3, 2009). "Veteran Character Actor Rance Howard". The Birmingham News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c Romano, Nick (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, Ron Howard's father, dies at 89". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "Rance Howard, Actor and Father of Ron Howard, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  12. ^ newspapers.com The Duncan Eagle Jan 27, 1949
  13. ^ Oliver, Myrna (September 6, 2000). "Jean Speegle Howard; Actress Was Mother of Ron Howard". Los Angeles Times.
  14. ^ Mazziotta, Julie (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, Actor and Father of Ron Howard, Dies at 89". People. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  15. ^ Gray, Beverly (2003). Ron Howard: from Mayberry to the moon-- and beyond. Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 1-55853-970-0.
  16. ^ Estrin, Eric (February 22, 2010). "Ron Howard's 'Breakthrough'?: Ronald Reagan". TheWrap. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  17. ^ "Judy Howard Obituary". Legacy.com. January 17, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  18. ^ Keveney, Bill (November 25, 2017). "Actor Rance Howard, father of director Ron Howard, dies at 89". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  19. ^ Howard, Ron; Howard, Clint (November 30, 2017). "Ron and Clint Howard Remember Dad Rance's 'Enthusiasm, Dignity and Fearlessness' (Guest Column)". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  20. ^ "Rance Howard, Ron Howard's father, dies at 89". The Los Angeles Times. November 25, 2017. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  21. ^ "Rance Howard Credits". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  22. ^ "Rance Howard". Fandago. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
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