OPIE TAYLOR

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

Opie grew up right before our very eyes. He represented the care free youth that any father would love.
Opie was the inspiration for a lot of the shows moral messages of right and wrong.

ABOUT THE BOY/MAN

Birth Name: Ronald Howard
Birthdate: March 1, 1954
Birthplace: Duncan, Oklahoma
Occupations: Actor, Director, Writer, Producer

Claim to Fame: 1974-80: Richie Cunningham on the long-running ABC sitcom Happy Days


Significant Other(s):
Wife: Cheryl Alley, writer; married June 7, 1975; has appeared in most of her husband's films (in nonspeaking roles)


Family:
Mother: Jean Howard (aka Jean Speegle Howard), actress
Father: Rance Howard, actor; has appeared in most of Ron's films
Brother: Clint, actor; has appeared in most of his brother's films; best known as the child lead of TV's Gentle Ben (CBS, 1967-69)
Daughter: Bryce Dallas, born in 1981
Daughter: Jocelyn Carlyle, twin; born in 1985
Daughter: Paige Carlyle, twin; born in 1985
Son: Reed, born in 1987


Awards:
ShowEast George Eastman Award: presented by National Association of Theater Owners
1995: Directors Guild of America: Theatrical Direction
1997-98: Emmy: Outstanding Miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon; shared award
1998: Golden Satellite: Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, From the Earth to the Moon; shared award
1998: Golden Globe: Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, From the Earth to the Moon


Factoids:
Three of Howard's four children are named for the places they were conceived: Bryce Dallas in Dallas; Paige Carlyle and Jocelyn Carlyle at the Hotel Carlyle in New York City


Education:
Burroughs High School, Burbank, California
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; attended briefly; left to pursue career

OPIE'S PALS

Johnny Paul Jason......Opie's long-time best friend
Tray Bowden III...........His name means 3; befriended by Opie when he first got to town
Howie Pruitt.................He and Opie published the "Mayberry Sun"
Billy Hollander.............Rich kid from summer camp
Arnold Winkler.............Spoiled new kid from Raliegh, his dad took him to the jail's wood shed

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