Rance Howard obit

Rance Howard, actor and father of Ron Howard, dies at 89, family says

He was not on the list.

Longtime film and television actor Rance Howard, father of director Ron Howard, has died, according to a Saturday tweet from Ron Howard's verified account.

"Clint & I have been blessed to be Rance Howard's sons. Today he passed at 89. He stood especially tall 4 his ability to balance ambition w/great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad," Ron Howard tweeted.

Details of the death were not immediately available.

Rance Howard was born Harold Engle Beckenholdt on November 17, 1928, in Oklahoma, according to the Internet Movie Database.

He performed in a touring children's theater as a child and, as an adult, toured with Henry Fonda in the stage presentation of "Mister Roberts," according to the Turner Classic Movies archives.

He moved to New York and was cast with son Ron Howard in "The Journey," the TCM archives said. He soon found work in television and won roles in shows such as "Bat Masterson," "Gunsmoke" and "The Waltons." He had a regular role on "Gentle Ben," along with his younger son, Clint Howard.

Rance Howard had appeared in numerous films, starting with "Frontier Woman" in 1956 and ending with "Nebraska" in 2013. He appeared in six movies nominated for best-picture Oscars: "The Music Man," "Chinatown," "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind," "Frost/Nixon" and "Nebraska," according to the IMDb.

"A Beautiful Mind," directed by Ron Howard, won the award in 2001. Rance Howard played a "white haired patient," IMDb said.

Ron Howard, who as a child played Opie Taylor on TV's "The Andy Griffith Show," went on to become a director. Along with "A Beautiful Mind," Ron Howard gave his father roles in many of his movies, such as "Splash," "Cocoon," "The Paper," "Apollo 13," "Frost/Nixon" and "Angels and Demons."

He was the voice of Mr. Joseph Johnston in Spooky Buddies, Murphy in That's So Raven, and a preacher in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.

Accolades flowed onto social media.

Russell Crowe, who had the lead role in "A Beautiful Mind," tweeted: "Hey @RealRonHoward my deepest condolences . He was a fine man indeed was Rance Howard . Fine man, fine actor. Being in his company was always a pleasure."

Actor and comedian Josh Gad tweeted: "Today we lost one of the greats: #RanceHoward, who I was proud to call a personal friend. When I first arrived in LA , he opened his home to me & made me feel like family. He was a legend, both as a person & performer. @BryceDHoward & @RealRonHoward sending lots of love."

Today we lost one of the greats: #RanceHoward, who I was proud to call a personal friend. When I first arrived in LA , he opened his home to me & made me feel like family. He was a legend, both as a person & performer. @BryceDHoward & @RealRonHoward sending lots of love.

 — Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 26, 2017

Rance Howard is survived by his two sons; granddaughters Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard; and one great-grandchild. He was married to Jean Speegle Howard and Judy Howard, both of whom preceded him in death.



Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes

1956 Frontier Woman Prewitt

1962 The Music Man Oscar Jackson Uncredited

1963 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Camp Counselor Uncredited

1965 Village of the Giants Deputy Son Ron also starred

1965 The Desert Raven Reggie

1966 An Eye for an Eye Harry

1967 Gentle Giant Tater Coughlin

1967 Cool Hand Luke Sheriff Uncredited

1969 Old Paint Cowboy Short film

1970 The Wild Country Cleve Uncredited

1972 Bloody Trail Jake

1973 Salty Unknown character

1974 Where the Lilies Bloom Roy Luther

1974 Chinatown Irate Farmer

1976 Eat My Dust! Clark

1977 The Legend of Frank Woods Howard Blacker

1977 Grand Theft Auto Ned Slinker Directed by son Ron

1977 Another Man, Another Chance Wagonmaster

1978 The Amazing Mr. No Legs Lou's Sidekick

1978 Cotton Candy Mr. Bremmercamp Directed by son Ron

1979 Mr. No Legs Mr. No Legs' sidekick

1981 Smokey Bites the Dust Coach

1983 Love Letters Joseph Chesley

1983 Forever and Beyond Technician

1984 The Lonely Guy Minister

1984 Splash McCollough Directed by son Ron

1985 Cocoon St. Petersburg Detective Directed by son Ron

1985 Creator Mr. Spencer

1985 The Long Hot Summer Wilk TV Movie

1986 Gung Ho Mayor Conrad Zwart Directed by son Ron

1986 Return To Mayberry Preacher Made for TV Movie

1987 Innerspace Supermarket Customer #1

1988 Dark Before Dawn Logan

1988 Merchants of Death Robert Morrison

1989 Trust Me Vern

1989 The 'Burbs Detective #2

1989 Listen to Me Tucker's Father

1989 Parenthood Dean at College Directed by son Ron

1989 Limit Up Chuck Feeney

1991 9 1/2 Ninjas! Ninja Negotiator

1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Elderly Man

1992 Far and Away Tomlin Directed by son Ron

1992 Universal Soldier John Devreux

1992 Wishman Det. Sturgis

1992 Ticks Sheriff Parker

1993 Fearless Bald Cabby

1993 Ed and His Dead Mother Rev. Praxton

1993 Snapdragon Priest

1994 Forced to Kill Rance

1994 The Paper Alicia's Doctor Directed by son Ron

1994 The Cowboy Way Old Gentleman

1994 Terminal Velocity Chuck (pilot)

1994 Ed Wood Old Man McCoy

1994 Little Giants Priest

1994 Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter Todd Brandell

1995 Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest Eddie Calhoun

1995 Savate Farmer

1995 Apollo 13 Reverend Directed by son Ron

1996 Sgt. Bilko Mr. Robbins

1996 Tiger Heart Mr. Johnson

1996 Where Truth Lies Judge Bloom

1996 Independence Day Chaplain

1996 Mars Attacks! Texan Investor

1996 Ghosts of Mississippi Ralph Hargrove

1997 Busted Mayor Davies

1997 Traveller Farmer

1997 Money Talks Reverend

1997 The Lay of the Land Dr. Brown

1997 Sparkle and Charm Mr. Houghton

1998 The Sender Max

1998 Chairman of the Board Rev. Hatley

1998 Land of the Free Hotel Manager

1998 Small Soldiers Husband

1998 The Night Caller Hank

1998 Evasive Action Train Engineer Uncredited

1998 Psycho Mr. Lowery

1999 Happy, Texas Ely

1999 Malevolence Dr. Burns

1999 Abilene Arliss

2000 Love & Sex Earl

2000 Ping! Old Man

2000 Big Wind on Campus Grandpa Morton

2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Elderly Timekeeper Directed by son Ron

2001 Joe Dirt Bomb Squad Cop

2001 A Crack in the Floor Floyd Fryed

2001 Rat Race Feed the Earth Spokesman

2001 A Beautiful Mind White-Haired Patient Directed by son Ron

2002 D-Tox Geezer

2002 Legend of the Phantom Rider Doc Fisher

2002 Jumping for Joy

2002 Leaving the Land Uncle Solomon

2003 The Long Ride Home Old man

2003 Ghost Rock Cash

2003 The Missing Telegraph Operator Directed by son Ron

2004 Death and Texas Circuit Court Judge

2004 Toolbox Murders Chas Rooker

2004 The Alamo Governor Smith

2004 Eulogy Lance Sommers

2004 Back by Midnight Priest

2005 Cinderella Man Announcer Al Fazin Directed by son Ron

2005 Killing Cupid Zeke

2005 Miracle at Sage Creek Doctor Babcock

2006 Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story James Kennedy

2006 Sasquatch Mountain Harris Zeff

2007 Georgia Rule Dog Bite Man

2007 Be My Baby Zippy the Messenger

2007 Ghost Town Sheriff Tom Parker

2007 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Preacher

2008 Grizzly Park Ranger Howard

2008 Drillbit Taylor Older Man

2008 Keith Old Man Uncredited

2008 Audie & the Wolf Dr. Maleosis

2008 Frost/Nixon Ollie Directed by son Ron

2009 Play the Game Mervin Lavine

2009 Angels & Demons Cardinal Beck Directed by son Ron

2009 Within Deli Owner

2009 Boppin' at the Glue Factory Walker Bill

2010 Valentine's Day Bistro Gardens Diner

2010 Bloodworth Ira

2010 Yohan: The Child Wanderer Old Knut

2010 Once Fallen Harry

2010 Jonah Hex Telegrapher

2010 The Genesis Code Dr. Tolley

2010 The Trial Judge Danielson

2011 The Dilemma Burt Directed by son Ron

2011 Night Club Chuck

2011 InSight Cemetery Presider

2011 Spooky Buddies Mr. Joseph Johnson

2011 Rosewood Lane Fred Crumb

2011 Redemption: For Robbing the Dead Doctor

2011 Let Go Dimples

2012 Easy Rider: The Ride Back Andrew Jackson Bennett

2013 Nebraska Uncle Ray

2013 The Lone Ranger Engineer

2013 Richard Rossi 5th Anniversary of Sister Aimee James Kennedy

2013 Gone Dark Charles

2015 Junction The Clerk

2016 Max Rose Walter Prewitt

2016 40 Nights Devil as an Old Man

2016 Kalebegiak José Mari

2017 Chasing the Star Devil as an Old Man

2017 Broken Memories Jasper

 

Television

Year Title Role Notes

1956–1957 Kraft Television Theatre Various 3 episodes

1958 How to Marry a Millionaire Corporal 1 episode

1959 Bat Masterson Fletcher 1 episode

1962–1964 The Andy Griffith Show Various 5 episodes 

1966 That Girl Customer #2 1 episode

1966 The Virginian Luka 1 episode

1967 The Monroes Al 1 episode

1967–1969 Gentle Ben Henry Boomhauer 13 episodes

1970 Then Came Bronson Mr. Carl Mueller 1 episode

1971 Night Gallery Cameraman 1 episode

1971–1972 Bonanza Sam / Bogardus 2 episodes

1968 The F.B.I. Ranger 1 episode

1969 Kung Fu Sheriff Byrd 1 episode

1973–1975 The Waltons Dr. McIvers 5 episodes

1974 Gunsmoke Frank Benton 1 episode

1976–1979 Happy Days Announcer / Ben Wilson / Mr. Burkhart 3 episodes

1977 Little House on the Prairie Simpson 1 episode

1978 Battlestar Galactica Farnes 1 episode

1979 Laverne & Shirley Doctor 1 episode

1981 Mork & Mindy Guard 1 episode

1983 The Thorn Birds Doctor Miniseries

1984 Dynasty Gifford 1 episode

1984 Murder, She Wrote Fillmore 1 episode

1986 A Smoky Mountain Christmas Doctor

1989–1992 Baywatch Fireman / Joe 2 episodes

1989 B.L. Stryker Richard Walton 1 episode

1991 Quantum Leap Ring Doctor 1 episode

1993 Coach Herman Van Dam 1 episode

1993–1996 Seinfeld Blind Man / Farmer 2 episodes

1994 Diagnosis Murder Driver 1 episode

1995 Problem Child 3: Junior in Love The Janitor Television film

1996–1997 Babylon 5 David Sheridan 3 episodes

1996–1997 Married... with Children Edwin / Reverend 2 episodes

1996 Melrose Place Motel Manager 1 episode

1997 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Reginald Hannon 1 episode - 1998 Clueless Mr. Bell 2 episodes

1998 Two of a Kind Mr. Fillmore 2 episodes

1999 Just Shoot Me! Blind Flower Guy 1 episode

2000 7th Heaven Old Man in Park 1 episode

2001 Angel Marcus Roscoe / Angel 1 episode

2004 Cold Case Buddie 1 episode

2004 That's So Raven Murphy 1 episode

2005 Ghost Whisperer Dirk Abrams 1 episode

2006 CSI: NY Samuel Cooper 1 episode

2009 ER Dr. Oliver Kostin 1 episode

2009 Lie to Me Joe Metz 1 episode

2011 Workaholics Jerry 1 episode

2012 Grey's Anatomy Martin Carroll 1 episode

2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Eugene 1 episode

2014 Bones Jerold Norsky 2 episodes

2014 Kroll Show Dr. Stanley Armond 1 episode

2014 Review Willie 1 episode

2016 The X-Files Old Man 1 episode

2018 Arrested Development Rance Howard 1 episode; Posthumous release