But if I could choose my family, I’d choose Ron Howard to be my older brother. Look how well it’s worked out for Clint.
In case you’re not familiar with Clint Howard, he’s the freakishly ugly, bald brother of Ron Howard who looks nothing like him, and appears in virtually every one of his movies.
But he wasn’t always that hideously ugly.
He started his career on a tv show called Gentle Ben, about a boy and a bear. He played the boy. He was a cute kid back then, but time and God both have a sense of humor, and what he grew up to look like wasn’t exactly leading man material.
Ironically, in a business consumed with looks, his haven’t been a handicap. Neither has having Ron Howard as his brother.
He’s become kind of a cult Where’s Waldo/Spot His Brother figure in Ron’s films. When his face appears onscreen (and by the way, seeing it in 70mm does nothing to improve it), there’s always laughter and a smattering of applause.
Here’s a list of the movies Ron Howard has directed. The bolded ones are the ones Clint has appeared in:
2013
The Dark Tower (announced)
2012
The Dark Tower (TV series) (pre-production)
2011
The Dilemma
2010
Presidential Reunion (video short)
2010
Heidi Montag Says No to Plastic (video short)
2009
Angels & Demons
2008
Frost/Nixon
2006
The Da Vinci Code
2005
Cinderella Man
2003/I
The Missing
2001
A Beautiful Mind
2000
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
1999
Edtv
1996
Ransom
1995
Apollo 13
1994
The Paper
1992
Far and Away
1991
Backdraft
1989
Parenthood
1988
Willow
1987
Take Five (TV movie)
1986
Gung Ho
1985
Cocoon
1984
Splash
1983
Little Shots (TV movie)
1982
Night Shift
1981
Through the Magic Pyramid (TV movie)
1980
Skyward (TV movie)
1978
Cotton Candy (TV movie)
1977
Grand Theft Auto
1969
Cards, Cads, Guns, Gore and Death (short)
1969
Deed of Daring-Do
1969
Old Paint (short)
Years ago I had a close encounter with Ron Howard when he was first starting out. He was directing a film called Grand Theft Auto for Roger Corman, and through some connection I don’t even remember, I got a job as a production assistant on the film.
My big break lasted two days until I came down with a horrible case of the flu and had to bow out. Come to find out I was extremely easy to replace on a moments notice – a lesson I’ve learned many times since.
Anyway, more power to old Clint. He's carved out a career for himself, he's a cult figure and he loves his big brother. How many show biz siblings - not counting the Bridges, the Afflecks, the Baldwins or the Coens - can you say that about?
Besides, as Damon Wayans says, “This town is built on nepotism.”
He should know. He has five brothers to prove it.
