Ron Howard: Earning John Wayne’s respect on set

Childhood actor turned award-winning director Ron Howard looks back on the first time he met John Wayne, as they were cast together for the 1976 film “The Shootist.” Howard heralds Wayne as a giant in the industry and in stature, and how an abnormal offer forged a quick bond with The Duke.
#Hollywood #FilmIndustry #JohnWayne
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Episode debuted nationwide in 2023.
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[@jmcgoo4270]

Watching all these interviews Ron Howard is total total class. Grown up watching him. He's a great actor, director. Wow can he tell a story.

[@laurelanderson6782]

Ron Howard is a fantastic storyteller and apparently a really kindhearted and well grounded human. One thing I wanted to point out though is that any professional director of a movie or a play is going to be a fantastic storyteller.

[@safffff1000]

What a great life Ron has had.

[@bravesrule384]

@markjohnson7488 - what is more funny, and very hard to believe that little *Opie Taylor* will turn 70 next year in 2024.

[@jillv4006]

Only Ron Howard can name drop without it coming across as “name dropping.”

[@caroledwards3289]

Because he really did meet ppl and worked with them. He is a joy.

[@MTknitter22]

Ron and his brother were raised by two very fine people for whom character was first - not being movie and tv stars. The documentary the brothers did to talk about their book told that story. Ron was wise to appreciate working with giants and legends in the film business and humbly learn from them. Loved hearing his great respect for the Duke. There will never be another like him. Ron is now a giant himself in the business. Thanks Ron.

[@angelaevans4362]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of interview with Ron Howard. Thank you!

[@Cwgrlup]

I worked with Ron’s sister in law for several years (Clint Howard’s wife, Melanie) and attended their wedding in the 90’s. I was pleasantly surprised at how these two brothers are so humble.

[@AzimuthTao]

When you consider how many child actors end up self-destructing, it's amazing to see how Ron Howard not only didn't do that, he used his life experiences to propel him to greater and greater heights.

[@nightshadedesign]

His father Rance was instrumental to keeping Ron grounded. He was a phenomenal dad.

[@stst77]

A lot of young actors don’t have their functional birth parents to raise them like Ron had. It makes a difference.

[@ovp66223]

I'd say its due to parents/guardians that are trying to live vicariously through their kids or just greedy. They push the kids WAY too hard and it takes it toll on their mental well-being. I think the kids then search for something to get away from it all. Sadly that ends up hanging out with rebel-types and getting involved in drugs or other bad stuff. Good parenting and placing strict limits on the amount of work versus school and being a kid is the key.

[@simonlunt353]

I am a big fan of the Duke watch any think about him but I can’t watch his last film l have watched it it makes me feel so sad not the fact he gets killed in the film but knowing this is his last film this man is a legend 😊thank you mr Howard for sharing your experience with us and thank you sir for your contribution to films 😊

[@billy3424]

Working along side of Bacall, and Wayne, and Stewart, What a lucky gift !!!

[@jeffhenjes1722]

Ron held his own on the screen with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. For a kid actor, he was pound for pound as good as any kid in that era.

[@rodneymiller4620]

Great interview, Opie's come a long ways! Graham is the best interviewer next to Johnny Carson that I've ever seen! He knows the right questions to ask (does his homework) and more importantly lets the interviewee answer without interruptions. Kudos Graham!!

[@kathleencollier5277]

Geez, he is still a kind, well-mannered high schooler! The kinda boy I always ❤️; ruffled tuxedo (prom) shirt and all!

[@markr5132]

Ron Howard, hands down was by far the best child actor ever, in my humble opinion!! He was a great adult actor, but it was impossible for him to get much better. I wish we had child actors like we did in back in the day, but directors want cocky drama queens now to realism takes a back seat. Thank Ron for so many memory's and directing so many amazing films.

[@scottnj2503]

Both men are icons of the film industry. Those of us of a certain age grew up with both. Experiencing thier work at opposite ends of a spectrum.... John Wayne, larger than life on the big screen. Ron Howard, from our daily ives on the small screen to one of the most successfull and lauded big screen behind th screen personalities of the last few decades and likely the next couple. What an incredible contrast and how fortuante are we for witnessing the juxtoposition of both.

[@crosswordpuzzle2952]

Ron was very fortunate to be able to meet so many icon stars of which, he became. I love the 70's. When I die. I hope I can return to my childhood.

[@edwardabrams4972]

If you didn’t know Duke he could be very intimidating but he was a man’s man and was a wonderful man to work and be around because he had principles and demanded respect

[@60zeller]

And a draft dodger

[@dagnabbit6187]

The Shootist gets more iconic with every year that passes by . John Wayne is actually lucky it was his last movie . Most Artists really don’t get a swan song .

[@JosephSullivan-ix3lj]

I love and truly respect Ron Howard, he and I are the same age I grew up watching him grow up . What a class act !!!

[@svbarr]

The late great David Huddleston told this story.He was hired to be in a John Wayne movie and on the first day of shooting while in costume and makeup lights on ready to go- the Duke sidles up to him and says something like "When I say Line X - give me a look, take pause move away - then say your line like you are scared". Now David was a proud New York Actor and he didn't take kindly to line readings from other Actors, so he said as respectfully as he could..."Mr Wayne but last time I looked your name was not on the Directors chair- I'll take direction from our Director". He said it looked like Wayne was gonna punch him, them slowly a smile - then a broader smile, and from that day forward Wayne respected him and they had a great time working together.

[@paulryan5150]

That's a great story, James Caan has a similar story except he did what Wayne was telling him to do....several times. Turns out, Wayne was just screwing with him.

[@TheNameisPlissken1981]

Actually, the project that Duke wanted to work with Ron Howard on was a script called Blood River written by the great director John Carpenter. It was one of the few westerns he ever wrote. It ended up getting made over ten years later as a TV movie with Ricky Schroeder in the role meant for Ron and Wilfred Brimley in the role John Wayne would have played.

[@ronleight9341]

Yikes!

[@joetruth5924]

Ron is a class act.

[@toinimoore3463]

I think that is Very True When You Are Around True Talented People You Do Try Much Harder making the Picture Even Better!!

[@timsparks1858]

The Duke according to stories since my youth was always nice to fans wherever he went rarely had a bad thing to say about fellow actors. This is what people will remember you by when you're gone. Not how many millions you made or how many red carpet pics you were in!

[@keharris7]

Ron has had so many great mentors and he never fails to honor them. Truly a class act.

[@jasoncraft2135]

This became my favorite John Wayne movie. It wasn't at first because as a kid I just couldn't see Ron Howard as anyone but Richie Cunningham.

[@wildforthecats661]

This series is awesome.

[@b.switzer4744]

Love this series. 😁

[@Daisnap]

Great interview. Ron Howard is a very impressive person.

[@loranv3435]

JUST LUV THAT, HOWARD NEVER CROSSED HIS LEG.

[@imstelios]

Kid from Duncan, Oklahoma a Hollywood legend himself!

[@caragray7010]

Ron Howard started young and knew alot of those famous old actors , interesting stories.

[@barryervin8536]

I hope Ron appreciated being able to work with a genuine war hero in The Shootist. Which would be Jimmy Stewart, of course.

[@franknew9001]

@ Barry Ervin-- I was about to make the same exact comment as yours. You beat me to it!!

[@paxonearth]

The Shootist is one of my Top 10 movies, maybe Top 5. I speak its praises often.

[@krazmokramer]

Ha! The voice is still the same as Opie!!!!! The Shootist is one of my favorites, and The Duke's best IMO.

[@jimeagle5483]

I was born in '70 and feel so fortunate that I was alive and got to enjoy a lot of the Golden age actors during my youth. Even though they were coming to the end of their careers, I look back and am so glad I got to see the legends.

[@stst77]

Shirley temples was extraordinary. She could memorize enormous amounts of scripts, sing and dance at such a young age but she wasn’t able to extend her career beyond her teens like Ron was been able to do. However Mickey Rooney was able to sustain his career for 9 decades! So he is one of the great child actors too!

[@jackmanbussey]

What a movie , What a Man , Mountain of Kudo's for Mr. Ron Howard , genius act from a child on !

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Ron - ALWAYS a CLASS ACT

[@TheTop40hub]

Watched them all. So interesting. Thank you.

[@daddy9925]

This is Ron Howard having to remind Hollywood that he knows how to make movies, work with all kinds of personalities and deliver a good project. They may have forgotten that.

[@mtyhntr49]

Great interview.

[@bethedmonds9635]

This was the time when tv shows were worth watching back in our day❣️ I can't watch television anymore .

[@kuhndog63]

I know it would never happen, I turn 60 Fri Mar 31, 2023 and I would love to see Richie, Fonzie, Ralph Mouth and Potsie together one more time. It would close out my teen to young adult years like the reunion of Han, Chewie and the Millennium Falcon and the soon ending of Indiana Jones... Everyone is getting older and soon it will be too late...

[@vibeofthee80s_]

Happy birthday ✌ 3/31/23

[@mikeoliver198]

Love Ron Howard.

[@TheUnFairAdvantageCrypto]

i live a short hop from John Waynes Birthplace - Winterset Iowa.... such a shame hes hardly spoke of anymore. im 55yo and i vividly recall him being "the MAN" way before i was really cognizant of hollywoods pecking order

[@pennyking3823]

Ron Howard is the definition of class

[@1Keef]

What a nice human being. For someone with all his accomplishments he has very little ego.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I've read somewhere that Ron agreed to be on the Simpsons if he could say the word, "Yoink!" He does when he snatches money out of Homer's pocket.

[@stephenwheeler-r8m]

My favorite movie is a tie between the shootist and full metal jacket

[@dansweet6793]

I love John Wayne and I love Ron Howard's directing, put thier politics and enjoy the film.

[@garymatney9344]

It’s a pity John Wayne didn’t win an Oscar as The Shootist! Not because it was his last movie but because it was his BEST movie!

[@RWRidley]

What was the book?

[@johnschwalenberg278]

Thinking the same thing .

[@lonmcq7317]

The book was titled "Beau John"... I don't remember the author...

[@peterfoster9456]

The wild horses in Aseteaque, USA. Near Chincoteague, USA. We're going fishing today Aunt Bea!

[@justice8563]

I would love to see Ron make the movie about the Richie Boys in WWll. He would definitely make it a epic one.

[@fightman49]

The duke was 6’4”. His personality was 7 ft.

[@Gutslinger]

A hairpiece? A bald man? 😳 I never knew that.

[@moparmenace59]

I consider "The Shootist" to be the separation between the classic western and the modern western.

[@timbrown8038]

I think I saw what must have been one of his first appearances on camera the other day. It was on a episode of Twilight Zone called Walking Distance.

[@Jeanbuchanan-fn5em]

He was not a rarest he was a great actor my day like him to need more men like him the one we have now all they think about is sex or them selves he was z decent man

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

Looking at Ron, I can see why he chose to work behind the camera. Good career move.

[@hackbritton3233]

Well, my respect for Ron Howard just went way up.

[@dlc1119]

Today actors-turned-director are far more common. Look how many episodes of Star Trek spin-offs have been directed by Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton or Roxann Dawson. Or just look back at at Kevin Costner's work.

[@Rob_Moilanen]

This was THE KID in the Andy Griffith Show, Opie. Who was already a star, who became a colossal director, who will be a legendary person who spoke kindly of other legends, that is Ron Howard, who also has a legendary daughter/director. Its freakin Opie damn it.

[@bertpryor1158]

Looks so much like his father Rance!

[@dartharpy9404]

Great

[@glennhopkins2643]

Patterson will pay !!!

[@arky5610]

did not know that the duke worn a hairpiece

[@d.r.h8602]

Ron should be smart enough to learn from John Wayne, but it’s clear he hasn’t. Btw not referring to acting!

[@rchydrozz751]

Ron wanted to run lines, John saw that, it was work. John did not like people shinning up to him. I've heard several actors say that.

[@KlingonGamerYT]

Ron is a big shot lol

[@jeffstanaway3576]

I saw Him in the Juneau Alaska airport. . . He was not over 6'2. . . . probably less. . .

[@Hal-k8p]

Wayne was 6 foot 4 1/2 inches tall. Said so himself.

[@jimmyjs8907]

Does anyone know the book John Wayne wanted to turn into a movie with Ron Howard?

[@fredman1085]

John Wayne might never have been the tallest actor but dog gone, I've never seen a movie where ANY six shooter didn't look small in his hands. I've also never read or seen an interview clip where his co-stars had anything but great things to say about him personally. Just seems like he was an honest and good man who left politics out of the work place. Except Kirk Douglas. I think he admired his professionalism but it seems to me, he couldn't let go of their political differences.

[@scottjo63]

I don't know why that movie, which was called Beau John wasn't made into a movie. If no John Wayne, certainly Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford. Still could be made into a movie with someone older!!!!

[@theprogressiveatheist7024]

I wouldn’t want John Wayne’s respect any more than I’d want Kid Rock or Ted Nugent’s respect.

[@julie.1081]

What was the title of the book?

[@rickarra1833]

I remember John Wayne said he thought Ron was great

[@stevenwendellnelson8861]

Please bow your head and say this prayer 🙏🙏🙏 "CREATOR, LORD GOD, If there is such a thing as ancestral sin, I beg you to forgive me. Thank you for everything CREATOR, LORD GOD. Amen." 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@halcyonspiral]

Graham, it's OK to be natural.

[@bobbydaugherty806]

What was the book the Duke wanted to make a film about?

[@boogerie]

I wonder what the book was

[@toddrohrer8680]

What book was it I wonder

[@billyrock8305]

Richie sure got old fast. 😞

[@danc3693]

Wayne was 6’4”.

[@titusmanlius8307]

Soooo..... what was the book?

[@cowdudeable]

Does anybody wonder what book it was that John Wayne found?

[@slim-oneslim8014]

I sense a punch line somewhere.

[@unwoken]

The Duke was 6'3 3/4"

[@Hal-k8p]

Wayne was 6 foot 4 1/2 inches tall. Said so himself.

[@JonBilly-du8oe]

Crazy 😧

[@sjs928]

" The Shootist " is fantastic... awesome scene when Lauren Bacall is scolding Wayne and he says " Im just an old man whos scared of the dark..." Gets me every time

[@rickyking1790]

He said " I'm a dying man afraid of the dark'

[@Growler57]

another one in the bath he says dam she says you swear to much he says the hell i do

[@surfwriter8461]

You're right, and that exchange is certainly the poignant center of the film. I was never a big John Wayne fan, but I liked seeing him in a role where the character was more vulnerable, a mix of self-confidence and tender emotions including the confrontation with his mortality.

[@Trisha_B_done]

Ron Howard is a legend within himself. Such respect for him.

[@THREESISTERS15]

He was raised by good parents and that makes the difference.

[@joksal9108]

All great performances in The Shootist-Wayne, Bacall, Stewart, Howard. Wonderful swan song for the Duke. RIP.

[@bogee4u]

really an all star cast..minor roles but worthy of mention...John Carradine, Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, Scatman Carothers, Harry Morgan

[@okay5045]

Ron Howard was the best child actor on TV and is a wonderful director but more importantly he is a good man. He is real

[@michaelmakes1225]

Love Ron , but Johnny Crawford was my favorite.

[@steveconkey7362]

He was great but my favorite was Billie Mumy.

[@derekgiesbrecht-xp5yc]

Gary Coleman, baby

[@theunpopularmindset5273]

Dustin diamond,in my opinion, was the best actor, period! His portrayal of screech in the college years was some of the all time finest acting in cinema history.

[@georgesouthwick7000]

I know most will not agree, but I believe this was John Wayne’s finest performance.

[@titan-tm7kl]

I think so too it's the dialogue and the fact that the illness of the character is what the Duke died of I think it's a great movie but people who want action won't like it you have to like the characterisation which is what this movie is

[@charleskeenan3550]

The Searchers....

[@brian197686]

@@charleskeenan3550 Definitely. I just saw somewhere that "Once Upon A Time In The West" is considered the greatest Western of all time. That's not a valid argument because it's not a "Western" at all. It wasn't made in America.

[@leegraves101]

He was great in it but I prefer True Grit

[@37903eral]

Yes one of many, there were many of his early films that were top shelf. This being his last and kinda a flash back of his career movies.

[@crazyman8472]

John Wayne always followed the three "P's"; polite, professional, and prepared. 😎

[@billwun]

Ron Howard and Kurt Russell are about the only two former child stars that transitioned well into adulthood.

[@johnmagill7714]

Jody Foster to.

[@gregb6469]

Jackie Cooper

[@kyleking4999]

Josh Brolin

[@lwskiner]

Bill Mumy as well.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

How about Elizabeth Taylor!??

[@zekelucente9702]

I remember seeing The Shootist at the theater. A very poignant story considering the Duke’s health.

[@commanderkeen3787]

I like how Graham is authentic and doesn't over-react to everything his interviewee says. If this was a Jimmy Fallon interview, Fallon would be rolling on the floor laughing at every sentence

[@Badtown1988]

One of the best.

[@johnrwalker53]

Exactly Fallon is so irritating with his fake laughing.

[@fmd1412]

Fallon is so fucking insincere its ridiculous.

[@PhilipDrown]

Agreed x 30

[@peppercat8718]

@@johnrwalker53 Thank you John and Commander Keen, I thought I was the only one who felt that way about him.

[@azohundred1353]

The Shootist is one of my all-time favorite movies, and John Wayne and Ron Howard were great in it. Both of them are Legends now. Great interview, Graham!

[@rick43pen]

loved the Duke, but its true that he only became a great actor near the end of his career.

[@ekspatriat]

@@rick43pen He was also a racist a**hole.

[@robjones-qj2jj]

John Wayne was a great man. Ron Howard, just another whacko leftist

[@amystallings4606]

It was a classic, perfect, poignant movie. No one else could have done those roles, not one more word needed to be said.

[@charlespratt8663]

We should all go out as well as JB Books.

[@mattsnow9273]

The movie John Wayne and Ron Howard worked on together is The Shootist. Just watched it recently and it is a great story.

[@redpilledbiker]

Definitely one of my favorites

[@douglasfitzovich3366]

It’s illuminating to hear an inside story about John Wayne’s last movie. JW gained his fame portraying “tough guys.” It is impressive that he was a real tough guy making his last movie. He knew he was dying, but he was determined to make his last performance memorable.

[@mikeelek9713]

Another really terrific interview led by Graham. Always good stuff. I found this fascinating, particularly at a time when everyone is crapping all over John Wayne's legacy.

[@GrahamBensinger]

Thanks, Mike!

[@JamesCrane]

I love The Shootist, and Ron's performance and of course John Wayne's! Thank you for posting this interview!

[@Chrisfeb68]

For being in so many great movies and working with so many great talents, he’s extraordinarily down to earth. You can see why he was a success.

[@pepelemoko01]

Think about this, Ron Howard now is only 3 years younger than John Wayne was in "the shootist".