Ron Howard has been famous for almost all of his 70 years. He’s had a nonstop career in film and television, starting as a toddler.
Besides his impressive career, Ron has also had a long-lasting marriage. He has been married to his wife Cheryl for almost 50 years.
Keep reading to learn more about Ron Howard, his long career, and his long marriage!
Ronald Howard was born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma. He would grow up to become a Hollywood legend.
Howard started acting when he was only 18 months old, appearing in his first film, Frontier Woman. By the time he was two, he was on stage in The Seven Year
After his early start in the entertainment world, Ron Howard became known for his role as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968.
During this time, playing the son of Griffith’s character, Howard had the support of his parents, who were also in the entertainment business.
Ron remembers a conversation he had with his parents when he was younger. They said, “Remember how we always said, ‘You can do it if you want, but you don’t have to?’ Well if you start this, you can’t quit. You don’t have to do other parts on other shows if you don’t want, but you’d have to keep doing this one.”
Ron Howard understood the message his parents gave him. He says, “I think it was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it.”
In fact, he was really good at it, and he was about to become a big star.
While he was on The Andy Griffith Show, Howard also acted in a movie called The Music Man in 1962. It was a musical and it did really well.
He was a natural talent. Then, in 1973, he starred in American Graffiti. It also had actors like Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, and Cindy Williams, who he would work with again in the future.
In 1974, Ron Howard got a big role as Richie Cunningham in a new show called Happy Days, created by Garry Marshall. The show was on TV from 1974 to 1984 and was watched by people all over the world.
Happy Days was so popular that it led to other shows, like Laverne & Shirley, which starred Cindy Williams and Garry Marshall’s sister Penny, and Mork & Mindy, with Robin Williams as the funny character Mork from Ork.
Before he won a Golden Globe for his role as the innocent teenager on Happy Days, Ron Howard met his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley, in 1970. They got married in 1975.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Speaking with People, the director of the Da Vinci Code continued, “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
After 50 years of shared experiences, Howard, who earned an Oscar for directing A Beautiful Mind, commemorated the 50th anniversary of his first date with Cheryl on
On November 1, 1970, Ron Howard and Cheryl went on their first date. Ron shared a photo of himself wearing socks with Cheryl’s face on them. He wrote, “We went to see a movie called It’s a Mad Mad Mad World and then got pizza at a place called Barnone’s in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, right?”
He also said they planned to drive the same 1970 VW Bug they drove on their first date. It still runs great, just like their relationship.
Cheryl appeared in some of Ron’s projects and even played herself on a TV show called Arrested Development, which Ron produced and narrated.
Ron calls Cheryl his “good luck charm.” That’s why she appears in every movie he makes. He told the Television Academy this in an interview.
“I got really superstitious about making sure she appears, at least a little bit, in every movie,” Ron said. “It doesn’t have to be a big part, but she’s gotta be in there.”
Besides bringing him luck, Cheryl is also a writer. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in screenwriting.
The couple has four children: daughter Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn, and son Reed. They’re also grandparents to six children.
Bryce, a well-known actor, has been in movies like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige started her movie career in Adventureland in 2009. She’s also been in movies like The Employer and Collection.
Reed is a professional golfer. Jocelyn, Paige’s twin sister, keeps her life private.
Ron and Cheryl are about to celebrate their 49th anniversary on June 7th. Ron, who has won an Emmy Award, says that “communication” is the secret to their lasting love.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show featuring Ron Howard, the talented actor, director, and producer?
Share your thoughts with us, and then pass this story along so we can hear from others too!
My Husband Left Me Looking After Our Kids for His Female Best Friend’s Wedding — I Made Him Regret It
When my husband left me sitting at home with the kids to attend his best female friend’s wedding alone, I felt a familiar pang of suspicion. But I took action, and what I discovered that night shattered our lives.
Daniel had never been good at hiding things. You’d think after ten years of marriage, I’d be used to his poor attempts at deception, but that morning, he caught me off guard. I had just come back from a playdate with the kids when I found the note on the kitchen counter.
I took the gift and went to Jane’s wedding. Be back late.
— Daniel
I stared at the note, feeling the familiar burn of betrayal rise in my chest. The gift I had spent hours picking out, the one we had both agreed was from us, not him alone. And Jane — our friend. Or so I thought.
“Mom, where’s Dad?” Timmy asked, tugging on my sleeve.
Timmy asks Elly where his dad is | Source: Pexels
“He went out, sweetie. We’re going to have a babysitter today.” I forced a smile, already dialing the number of the babysitter we occasionally used.
My best friend, Sarah, had been suspicious of Daniel’s recent behavior. She was the one who first suggested he might be up to no good. I had dismissed her concerns, thinking it was just his usual lack of communication. But this? This was something else.
Elly calling a babysitter while trying to mask her growing suspicions | Source: Pexels
Balancing my dreams of returning to work and my responsibilities at home had been a struggle for years. As a stay-at-home mom, I often felt trapped while Daniel worked full-time, leaving early and coming home late.
My days were filled with diapers, playdates, and endless chores. I loved my kids, but sometimes I wondered what happened to the ambitious woman I used to be.
When we received the invitation to Jane’s wedding, I saw a glimmer of excitement. Jane was Daniel’s best friend, but also a friend of mine, so it felt like a chance to reconnect with our old social circle.
Daniel insists they are not going to Jane’s wedding | Source: Pexels
I spent hours choosing the perfect gift, picturing us attending together. But Daniel shot down my hopes, insisting we stay home because we didn’t have anyone to watch the kids.
“Can’t we find a sitter, just for one night?” I had pleaded.
“No, Elly. It’s too much hassle. We’ll send the gift and our regrets,” he said, brushing off my concerns.
As the wedding approached, he reiterated his stance, and my suspicions began to grow. Why was he so adamant about not going? What was he hiding?
Elly and Daniel at loggerheads about attending the wedding | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t just sit and stew in my anger. I needed to see it for myself. I got the kids settled with the babysitter and grabbed my keys.
“Where are you going?” Sarah’s voice crackled through the phone. I had called her for a much-needed boost of courage.
“To the wedding. I need to see what’s really going on.”
At the reception venue — a wine estate — I kept a low profile. I saw Daniel almost immediately, laughing and chatting like he didn’t have a care in the world. And then there was Jane, her smile wide and dazzling, but her eyes — they held secrets.
Elly secretly attends the wedding reception, watching Daniel | Source: Pexels
I followed them discreetly. They slipped into one of the wine cellars, and I inched closer, peeking through the slightly ajar door. They were arguing, their voices hushed but intense.
“You said it was over with Jake!” Daniel hissed. “And now you’re marrying him!”
Jane shook her head. “I never promised you anything. But you’re here now, aren’t you, how about one last fling?”
I couldn’t breathe. I felt like I was going to be sick, but I couldn’t look away. Then, it happened — they kissed. A long, passionate kiss that confirmed my worst fears.
Elly catches Daniel and Jane in a passionate kiss | Source: Midjourney
I took out my phone, my hands shaking, and recorded a few seconds. Enough to capture the betrayal. Enough to use as evidence. I left as quietly as I had come, tears streaming down my face.
Back home, I sat in my car for a long time, trying to process what I had seen. I needed a plan. I couldn’t just confront him and let it turn into another round of empty apologies and broken promises. This was bigger. This was the end.
Elly sitting in her car, grappling with the shocking betrayal she just witnessed | Source: Midjourney
I called Sarah. “You were right. I saw them. I recorded it.”
“Oh, Elly, I’m so sorry. What are you going to do?”
“I’m calling a lawyer.”
***
The next day, I sat in the lawyer’s office, feeling both numb and fiercely determined.
“Infidelity is grounds for divorce,” the lawyer, Melanie, said, her voice calm and professional. “But we need to build a strong case. Do you have any other evidence?”
“I’ll get more,” I promised. “Whatever it takes.”
Elly meets with a lawyer, ready to take the first step toward reclaiming her life | Source: Pexels
I spent the next few days gathering everything I could — texts, emails, anything that hinted at their affair. Meanwhile, Daniel acted like everything was fine, like he hadn’t torn our life apart.
One evening, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “How was the wedding?” I said, launching the words at Daniel like a missile.
He looked up from his phone, surprised. “It was good. Jane looked beautiful.”
“I bet she did.” My voice was cold.
“Is something wrong?” He tilted his head, feigning concern.
“Don’t play dumb, Daniel. I know about you and Jane.”
Daniel’s face when Elly reveals that she knows about his affair | Source: Midjourney
His face paled, but he quickly recovered. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw you. At the wedding, in the wine cellar, with Jane. I recorded you. Don’t lie to me.”
His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. For once, he was speechless.
“I’m done, Daniel. I’ve contacted a lawyer. You’ll be hearing from them soon.”
He tried to protest, to explain, but I had already turned away. I wasn’t going to listen to his excuses anymore. I had kids to protect, a life to rebuild. And I wasn’t going to let him stop me.
Jane finalizes the divorce papers with her lawyer | Source: Pexels
The fight was just beginning, but for the first time in years, I felt a surge of strength and clarity. This was my turning point. I was done being the passive, stay-at-home mom who let life happen to her. I was ready to take control.
That night, I waited for Daniel to come home. I had the video cued up on my laptop, the lawyer’s contact number scribbled on a notepad next to me, and the divorce papers ready.
He walked in, his face flushed with what I could only assume was guilt masked as nonchalance.
Elly cues up the offending video for Daniel to see | Source: Pexels
“Elly, we need to talk,” he began, but I cut him off.
“No, you need to listen,” I said, standing up and hitting play on the video. The sound of his voice, pleading with Jane, filled the room. His eyes widened, and he looked at me, panic setting in.
“I can explain —”
“Don’t bother,” I interrupted. “You had your chance. These are the divorce papers. I’m asking for full custody of the kids, the house, and child support. I’ve already spoken to a lawyer.”
Elly tells Daniel she is done and hands him the divorce papers | Source: Midjourney
He slumped into a chair, defeated. “Elly, please. Let’s talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Daniel. You made your choice. Now you’ll deal with the consequences.”
He spent the night packing his bags. The kids were asleep, and I prayed they wouldn’t wake up to the sound of their father leaving. By the time he was ready to go, it was past midnight. He stood at the door, his eyes pleading one last time, but I didn’t waver.
“Goodbye, Daniel.”
Elly makes her last stand and says goodbye to Daniel | Source: Midjourney
The next few months were a whirlwind of legal battles and emotional turmoil. I filed for divorce and presented my evidence. The court hearings were grueling, but the video was undeniable. Daniel didn’t even try to fight it.
The judge granted me full custody and a favorable settlement. Daniel’s infidelity cost him not just his marriage but also his role in the home we had built together.
I returned to work, something I had put off for years. Balancing a career and raising two kids alone was tough, but I found a strength within me I didn’t know existed. I was driven by the need to create a stable and loving environment for my children.
Elly returning to work, finding strength and creating a new life for her kids | Source: Pexels
The kids adjusted to our new life quicker than I expected. They were resilient, just like their mom. And as I climbed the career ladder, I realized that I wasn’t just surviving — I was thriving.
One day, I ran into Jane at the grocery store. She looked away, her face flushed with shame. I didn’t need to say anything. My presence, my success, and my happiness spoke louder than any words could.
Elly sharing her triumph with her friend Sarah over coffee | Source: Pexels
“Elly, you look great,” Sarah said over coffee. She had been my rock through everything, always ready with a shoulder to cry on or a glass of wine when I needed it.
“Thanks, Sarah. I finally feel like I’m back on my feet.”
“You’ve done more than that. You’ve rebuilt your life from the ground up.”
She was right. I had reclaimed my life from the ruins of my marriage. My revenge wasn’t about making Daniel suffer — it was about proving to myself that I could stand on my own.
And I had. I provided for my kids, achieved my career goals, and found a new kind of happiness that wasn’t tied to anyone else.
I stood tall, knowing that no matter what the future held, I was ready. I had faced the worst and come out stronger. I was a symbol of resilience and empowerment, and I would continue to fight for the life and happiness we deserved.
Elly standing tall, knowing she has reclaimed her life and future | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done? If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you about a husband who is caught cheating on his wife and acts as if nothing is wrong.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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