Ron Howard has been a household name for almost as long as his 70 years. The Hollywood icon, who began his career as a toddler, has enjoyed a remarkable journey in film and television. But beyond his professional achievements, Howard has also demonstrated longevity in his personal life, having been married to his wife, Cheryl, for nearly half a century.

Born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Ronald Howard was destined for stardom. He made his film debut at just 18 months old in Frontier Woman and appeared on stage in The Seven Year Itch by the age of two. His big break came as the freckle-faced redhead Opie on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. Throughout his early career, Howard had the unwavering support of his parents, who were both involved in the entertainment industry.

Recalling a conversation with his parents, Howard 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… I think it was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it.” And he certainly was—Howard’s talent was soon to propel him to even greater heights.

Howard’s ‘Happy Days’

While starring in The Andy Griffith Show, Howard also made waves on the big screen, appearing in the successful 1962 musical film The Music Man. He later starred in American Graffiti (1973), a film that further solidified his status as a natural talent, alongside Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, and Cindy Williams.

In 1974, Howard was cast as Richie Cunningham in Garry Marshall’s new TV series Happy Days, which became a global sensation from 1974 to 1984. The show inspired several popular spin-offs, including Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy, featuring Robin Williams as the beloved character Mork.

A High School Sweetheart

Before Howard’s rise to fame on Happy Days, he met his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley, in 1970. The couple married in 1975, and Howard has often expressed how Cheryl’s unwavering support has been a cornerstone of their enduring relationship. “I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Howard shared with People. “Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first date, Howard posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: “Nov 1 1970 Cheryl & I went on our 1st date… We’ll be driving in the same ‘70 VW Bug I picked Cheryl up in 5 decades ago. It runs great. So do we.”

His ‘Good Luck Charm’

Cheryl has made cameo appearances in many of Howard’s projects, including a role as herself on Arrested Development, which Howard produced and narrated. Speaking with the Television Academy, Howard called Cheryl his “good luck charm,” explaining that he always includes her in his films, even if it’s just a brief appearance. “At a certain point, I became very superstitious about making sure that she appears, that she’s at least identifiable in one frame,” he said.

In addition to bringing her husband luck, Cheryl is a published author with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in screenwriting. The couple are parents to four children—Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn, and Reed—and grandparents to six. Their daughter Bryce, a well-known actor, has starred in films like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige has appeared in films such as The Employer and Collection, while Reed is a professional golfer. Jocelyn, Paige’s twin, prefers to keep her life private.

The Secret to Longevity

As their 49th wedding anniversary approaches on June 7, Howard shared that “communication” is the key to their lasting love. “People say, ‘How’d you do it?’ There’s no technique,” Howard told People. “There’s no tactic, other than communication is really important. You have to learn to communicate and have difficult conversations in constructive ways. Beyond that, there’s an element of luck because people either grow together or they don’t, and I don’t think you can force that.”

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