Rance Howard

Rance Howard (born Harold Engle Beckenholdt; November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017) was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He was the father of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, and grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.

Howard appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), Splash (1984), Ed Wood (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Nebraska, and Max Rose (both 2013). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for co-producing the television film The Time Crystal (1981).

Early life Howard was born Harold Engle Beckenholdt in Newkirk, Kay County, Oklahoma, the son of Ethel Cleo (née Tomlin) and Engel Beckenholdt, a farmer. He legally changed his name to "Rance Howard" when he became an actor. Howard graduated from Shidler High School in 1946 and studied at the University of Oklahoma.

While in the Air Force, Howard directed plays in Special Services, a unit that provided entertainment for service members.

Career His professional acting career began in 1948 when he went to New York City, auditioned, and landed a job in a children's touring company.

Both Rance and elder son Ron, who was two at the time, made their feature-film debuts together in the 1956 Western Frontier Woman. Later in the 1950s, Rance's roles included his TV debut in the series Kraft Theatre, on which he appeared three times in 1956–57.

After son Ron went on to play Opie in The Andy Griffith Show in the early 1960s, Rance had guest parts in five episodes of the show. Howard was known best for his role on television in 25 episodes of the 1960s TV series Gentle Ben starring his younger son, Clint. Howard played Henry Boomhauer, a backwoodsman who befriended the family. He also starred in the short-lived 2000 TV series Driving Me Crazy. They remained married until her death in September 2000. Their sons are actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, their granddaughters include actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.

In 2001, Howard married Judy O’Sullivan. Judy Howard died in January 2017 in Burbank, 10 months before Howard's death.

Death Howard died on the morning of November 25, 2017, in Los Angeles, California from heart failure spurred on by a West Nile virus infection.

Filmography Sources:

Film Year Title Role Notes 1956 Frontier Woman Prewitt 1962 The Music Man Oscar Jackson Uncredited 1963 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Camp Counselor 1965 Village of the Giants Deputy Son Ron also starred The Desert Raven Reggie 1966 An Eye for an Eye Harry 1967 Gentle Giant Tater Coughlin Cool Hand Luke Sheriff Uncredited 1969 Old Paint Cowboy Short film 1970 The Wild Country Cleve Uncredited 1972 Bloody Trail Jake 1973 Salty 1974 Where the Lilies Bloom Roy Luther Chinatown Irate Farmer 1976 Eat My Dust! Clark 1977 The Legend of Frank Woods Howard Blacker Heroes Veteran's Hospital Orderly Grand Theft Auto Ned Slinker Directed by Ron Howard Another Man, Another Chance Wagonmaster 1978 The Amazing Mr. No Legs Lou's Sidekick 1979 Mr. No Legs Mr. No Legs' sidekick 1981 Smokey Bites the Dust Coach 1983 Love Letters Joseph Chesley Forever and Beyond Technician 1984 The Lonely Guy Minister Splash McCollough Directed by Ron Howard 1985 Cocoon St. Petersburg Detective Creator Mr. Spencer 1986 Gung Ho Mayor Conrad Zwart Directed by Ron Howard 1987 Innerspace Supermarket Customer #1 1988 Dark Before Dawn Logan Merchants of Death Robert Morrison 1989 Trust Me Vern The 'Burbs Detective #2 Listen to Me Tucker's Father Parenthood Dean at College Directed by Ron Howard Limit Up Chuck Feeney 1991 9 1/2 Ninjas! Ninja Negotiator 1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Elderly Man Far and Away Tomlin Directed by Ron Howard Universal Soldier John Devreux Wishman Det. Sturgis Ticks Sheriff Parker 1993 Fearless Bald Cabby Ed and His Dead Mother Rev. Praxton Snapdragon Priest 1994 Forced to Kill Rance The Paper Alicia's Doctor Directed by Ron Howard The Cowboy Way Old Gentleman Terminal Velocity Chuck (pilot) Ed Wood Old Man McCoy Little Giants Priest Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter Todd Brandell 1995 Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest Eddie Calhoun Savate Farmer Apollo 13 Reverend Directed by Ron Howard 1996 Sgt. Bilko Mr. Robbins Tiger Heart Mr. Johnson Where Truth Lies Judge Bloom Independence Day Chaplain Mars Attacks! Texan Investor Ghosts of Mississippi Ralph Hargrove 1997 Busted Mayor Davies Traveller Farmer Money Talks Reverend The Lay of the Land Dr. Brown Sparkle and Charm Mr. Houghton 1998 The Sender Max Chairman of the Board Rev. Hatley Land of the Free Hotel Manager Small Soldiers Husband The Night Caller Hank Evasive Action Train Engineer Uncredited Psycho Mr. Lowery 1999 Happy, Texas Ely Malevolence Dr. Burns Abilene Arliss 2000 Love & Sex Earl Ping! Old Man Big Wind on Campus Grandpa Morton How the Grinch Stole Christmas Elderly Timekeeper Directed by Ron Howard 2001 Joe Dirt Bomb Squad Cop A Crack in the Floor Floyd Fryed Rat Race Feed the Earth Spokesman A Beautiful Mind White-Haired Patient Directed by Ron Howard 2002 D-Tox Geezer Legend of the Phantom Rider Doc Fisher Jumping for Joy Leaving the Land Uncle Solomon 2003 The Long Ride Home Old man Ghost Rock Cash The Missing Telegraph Operator Directed by Ron Howard 2004 Death and Texas Circuit Court Judge Toolbox Murders Chas Rooker The Alamo Governor Smith Eulogy Lance Sommers Back by Midnight Priest 2005 Cinderella Man Announcer Al Fazin Directed by Ron Howard Killing Cupid Zeke Miracle at Sage Creek Doctor Babcock 2006 Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story James Kennedy 2007 Georgia Rule Dog Bite Man Be My Baby Zippy the Messenger Ghost Town Sheriff Tom Parker Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Preacher 2008 Grizzly Park Ranger Howard Drillbit Taylor Older Man Keith Old Man Uncredited Audie & the Wolf Dr. Maleosis Frost/Nixon Ollie Directed by Ron Howard 2009 Play the Game Mervin Lavine Angels & Demons Cardinal Beck Directed by Ron Howard Within Deli Owner Boppin' at the Glue Factory Walker Bill 2010 Valentine's Day Bistro Gardens Diner Bloodworth Ira Yohan: The Child Wanderer Old Knut Once Fallen Harry Jonah Hex Telegrapher The Genesis Code Dr. Tolley The Trial Judge Danielson 2011 The Dilemma Burt Directed by Ron Howard Night Club Chuck InSight Cemetery Presider Spooky Buddies Mr. Joseph Johnson Direct-to-video Rosewood Lane Fred Crumb Redemption: For Robbing the Dead Doctor Let Go Dimples 2012 Easy Rider: The Ride Back Andrew Jackson Bennett 2013 Max Rose Walter Prewitt Nebraska Uncle Ray The Lone Ranger Engineer Richard Rossi 5th Anniversary of Sister Aimee James Kennedy Gone Dark Charles 2015 Junction The Clerk 2016 40 Nights Devil as an Old Man Kalebegiak José Mari 2017 Chasing the Star Devil as an Old Man Broken Memories Jasper 2018 Sister Aimee 10th Anniversary James Kennedy Posthumous release 2019 The Christ Slayer Devil as an Old Man Apple Seed Carl Dads Rance Howard

Television Year Title Role Notes 19561957 Kraft Television Theatre 3 episodes 1958 How to Marry a Millionaire Corporal Episode: "Hit and Run" 1959 Bat Masterson Fletcher Episode: "Promised Land" 19621964 Combat! Wilkerson Episode: "The Bridge at Chalons" The Andy Griffith Show Bus Driver / First Treasury Agent / Governor's Chauffeur / Party Guest 5 episodes 1966 That Girl Customer #2 2 episodes The Virginian Luka Episode: "Ride a Cock-Horse to Laramie Cross" 1967 The Monroes Al Episode: "Teaching the Tiger to Purr" 19671969 Gentle Ben Henry Boomhauer 13 episodes 1970 Then Came Bronson Mr. Carl Mueller Episode: "That Undiscovered Country..." 1971 Night Gallery Cameraman Episode: "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes/Miss Lovecraft Sent Me/The Hand of Borgus Weems/Phantom of What Opera?" 19711972 Bonanza Sam / Bogardus 2 episodes 1973 The F.B.I. Ranger Episode: "Desperate Journey" 1973 Kung Fu Sheriff Byrd Episode: "The Hoots" 19731975 The Waltons Dr. McIvers 5 episodes 1974 Gunsmoke Frank Benton 2 episodes 19761979 Happy Days Announcer / Ben Wilson / Mr. Burkhart 3 episodes 1977 Little House on the Prairie Simpson Episode: "Quarantine" 1978 Battlestar Galactica Farnes Episode: "The Magnificent Warriors" 1978 Cotton Candy Mr. Bremmercamp Also directorTelevision film 1979 Laverne & Shirley Doctor Episode: "Who's Papa?" 1981 Mork & Mindy Guard Episode: "Mork Meets Robin Williams" 1983 The Thorn Birds Doctor Episode: "Part 3" 1984 Dynasty Gifford Episode: "The Voice: Part 2" 1985 The Long Hot Summer Wilk Television film 1986 A Smoky Mountain Christmas Doctor Television film 1986 Return To Mayberry Preacher Made for TV Movie 19891992 Baywatch Fireman / Joe 2 episodes 1991 Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter Bernie Television film 1993 Coach Herman Van Dam Episode: "Christmas of the Van Damned" 19931996 Seinfeld Blind Man / Farmer Episode: The Glasses and The Bottle Deposit 1994 Diagnosis: Murder Driver Episode: "Murder with Mirrors" 1995 Problem Child 3: Junior in Love The Janitor Television film 19961997 Babylon 5 David Sheridan 3 episodes Married... with Children Edwin / Reverend 2 episodes 1996 Melrose Place Motel Manager Episode: "Full Metal Betsy" 1997 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Reginald Hannon Episode: "The Viewing/The Subway/Kid in the Closet/Justice is Served/The Tractor" 1998 Clueless Mr. Bell 2 episodes Two of a Kind Mr. Fillmore 2 episodes 1999 Just Shoot Me! Blind Flower Guy Episode: "When Nina Met Elliott" 2000 7th Heaven Old Man in Park Episode: "Help!" 2001 Angel Marcus Roscoe / Angel Episode: "Carpe Noctem" 2002 That '80s Show Mr. Bailey Episode: "Tuesday Comes Over" 2004 Cold Case Buddie Episode: "Factory Girls" That's So Raven Murphy Episode: "Sweeps" 2005 Ghost Whisperer Dirk Abrams Episode: "Lost Boys" 2006 CSI: NY Samuel Cooper Episode: "Fare Game" 2006 Sasquatch Mountain Harris Zeff Television film 2009 ER Dr. Oliver Kostin Episode: "A Long, Strange Trip" Lie to Me Joe Metz Episode: "Moral Waiver" 2011 Workaholics Jerry Episode: "The Strike" 2012 Grey's Anatomy Martin Carroll Episode: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" 2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Eugene Episode: "Purity" 2014 Bones Jerold Norsky 2 episodes Kroll Show Dr. Stanley Armond Episode: "Banff Is on Fire" Review Willie Episode: "Teaching the Tiger to Purr" 2016 The X-Files Old Man Episode: "My Struggle" 2018 Arrested Development Rance Howard Episode: "Emotional Baggage"Posthumous release