Ron Howards last regular episode as Richie on Happy Days

[Disney1fan2002]

My DS is researching a "cool dude" from the 50's for a play he is in, so we have been watching Happy Days on TV Land.

Last week, they played the episode where Richie is moving to CA with Lori Beth and little Richie.

I was amazed, mouth opened, AMAZED at the storyline. DH says they made the storyline, because that was what Ron Howard was actually doing, moving to bigger and better things, but how could they KNOW?


Richie left because he got a job in CA as a screenwriter. He wanted to pursue his dream of writing. OK, how ironic????? 23 years ago, Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard, leaves his family to pursue a career in Hollywood. Today, Ron Howard is one of the top movie directors in Hollywood. WHO KNEW?????

 

[KelNottAt]

I always have the same "WOW" reaction whenever I catch him on the Andy Griffith Show. It's really nice to see a childhood star who grew up to be sane and successful.

 

[Poohbear123]

I always have the same "WOW" reaction whenever I catch him on the Andy Griffith Show. It's really nice to see a childhood star who grew up to be sane and successful.

Yes, so true, he and Henry Winkler, who produces. And lets not forget Penny Marshall and "meathead" from All in the Family...cannot think of his or his Dads name!

 

[barkley]

actualy, ron howard was making a guest appearance and had already left the show as a regular when that episode originaly aired (when he left he had an obligation to do x number of episodes for the remainder of his contract).

every interview i've ever read or seen by him/about him gives tremendous credit to his parents for raising him and his brother clint in a normal, down to earth manner. unlike many child actors, they participated in activities with other (non actor) kids, and led as normal as life as possible (you notice unlike alot of child actors you did'nt see him doing movies during the andy griffith show's breaks-his family went camping, visited with family and friends, kept everything down to earth). his father also encouraged a very early interest in directing by helping him write scripts and putting together family and friends for "home movie" productions (i saw some clips recently from stuff he filmed on the andy griffith set).

i tend to think he is raising his kids in the same manner, you never see anything about him unless he is being interviewed about an upcoming production (currently the da vinci code)-and he never seems to get any press in the tabloids.

i wish more parents of child actors would look to his rearing as an example of how to successfully raise a child in the bsns.

 

[cardaway]

Wasn't he actually at odds with the Happy Days producers at the time?

 

[cardaway]

i tend to think he is raising his kids in the same manner, you never see anything about him unless he is being interviewed about an upcoming production (currently the da vinci code)-and he never seems to get any press in the tabloids.

i wish more parents of child actors would look to his rearing as an example of how to successfully raise a child in the bsns.

I think he is. That was his daughter in "The Villiage".

 

[salmoneous]

I always liked the episode where they go see "The Music Man" and Mrs C comments on how the boy in that movie reminds her of Richie as a little kid.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Yes, so true, he and Henry Winkler, who produces. And lets not forget Penny Marshall and "meathead" from All in the Family...cannot think of his or his Dads name!

Rob Reiner played "meathead" his Dad is Carl Reiner.

 

[Hannathy]

Andy Griffith also deserves a lot of credit. When Ron was on the show Andy insisted they let him be a real boy and ride a bike, play ball he said if he got hurt they would just write it in the story. A lot of child stars were not allowed to play anything the could get a black eye or break an arm etc.

PS Richie wasn't the cool kid on the show! he was pretty geeky.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

PS Richie wasn't the cool kid on the show! he was pretty geeky.

Is that a news flash????

Just kidding! But that was funny. I know Richie wasn't the cool kid, my DS is actually studying Fonzie. He was the cool one, right?

 

[Hannathy]

Whats worse is it proves our Mother's were right. Marry the geeks they will go a lot farther in life, although in this case "Fonzie" didn't do too bad for himself.

Couldn't resist the above about Richie. La Verne wasn't the good girl either.