- All of his four children are named after the places they were conceived: Bryce Dallas Howard in Dallas, TX; Paige Carlyle and Jocelyn Carlyle at the Hotel Carlyle in New York City; and Reed Cross after a specific road, according to Bryce Dallas Howard.
- Cast both of his parents in Apollo 13 (1995). Daughter Bryce Dallas Howard also had a cameo appearance.
- When he was a child actor, his father was very involved in his career, protecting him from unfair treatment and being strict with him (when necessary).
- Has directed two films on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are A Beautiful Mind (2001) at #93 and Apollo 13 (1995) at #12.
- He has directed his wife Cheryl Howard in eleven films: Grand Theft Auto (1977), Night Shift (1982), Splash (1983), Willow (1988), The Paper (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Ransom (1996), Edtv (1999), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009).
- Directed 9 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Don Ameche, Dianne Wiest, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Giamatti, Frank Langella, and Glenn Close. Ameche and Connelly won Oscars for their performances in one of Howard's movies.
- Became a grandfather when his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, had a baby boy on February 16, 2007.
- He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Music Man (1962) and American Graffiti (1973). He has also directed one film that is in the registry: Apollo 13 (1995).
- Started two production companies, Major H Productions (which ran from 1977 until 1985) and, in 1985, Imagine Entertainment (from a merger of his previous Major H company with Brian Grazer's self-titled production company).
- Godfather of Max Winkler.
- He has directed his younger brother Clint Howard in sixteen films: Grand Theft Auto (1977), Night Shift (1982), Splash (1983), Cocoon (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Parenthood (1989), Backdraft (1991), Far and Away (1992), The Paper (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Edtv (1999), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), The Missing (2003), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008) and The Dilemma (2011).
- For an American Film Institute poll, Howard chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) as his favorite film.
- He has directed his father Rance Howard in fifteen films: Grand Theft Auto (1977), Splash (1983), Cocoon (1985), Gung Ho (1986), Parenthood (1989), Far and Away (1992), The Paper (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Missing (2003), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Angels & Demons (2009) and The Dilemma (2011).
- Son of Rance Howard and Jean Speegle Howard.
- Attended John Burroughs High School with Rene Russo.
- Is apparently a huge fan of cricket. Attended the final Ashes test match between England and Australia on September 12, 2005, while filming The Da Vinci Code (2006), and was spotted mingling with players in the Australian dressing room.
- Older brother of Clint Howard.
- He was awarded the National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in 2003.
- Ranked #7 in VH1's of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars.".
- In 2007 "Forbes" magazine estimated his 2006 earnings to be approximately $35 million.
- In 1971 was a contestant on The Dating Game (1965) and ended up choosing Bachelorette #2, Nola Green.
- Was interested in directing Eye See You (2002) at one point, but decided to direct How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).
- In January 2006 he was residing in the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC.
- Has played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man (1962), and the title role in Huckleberry Finn (1975). Both roles were previously played by Eddie Hodges.
- Stepson of "Los Angeles Times" columnist and playwright Judy Howard.
- Enjoys most sports and photography.
- Attended David Starr Jordan Middle School.
- Attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School in Burbank, California.
- Had the following rankings on Premiere magazine's annual Power 100 List - #22 in 2006, #27 in 2005, #30 in 2004, #26 in 2003, #29 in 2002.
- Father-in-law of Seth Gabel.
- There is an unsubstantiated rumor that he was considering adapting a British novel, The Devil Created Man In His Own Image, by Philip Steavenson about abuse of others into a film set in the United States.
- He has directed three films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Apollo 13 (1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Frost/Nixon (2008). A Beautiful Mind won in the category. He has also appeared in two Best Picture nominees: The Music Man (1962) and American Graffiti (1973).
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