Ron Howard has revealed the one thing that could lure him back into acting.
The 71-year-old has retreated from being in front of the lens after moving from starring in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and ‘Happy Days’ to carving himself a name as one of Hollywood’s most successful directors after making films including ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘Backdraft’.
But he has now told People about how one person who could bring him back to the screen: “I think that if my daughter Bryce cast me in something, that would compel me to put down the directing obligation, put them on hold for a minute and show up.”
The actor-turned-director was referring to his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard, 44, who has directed documentary ‘Dads’, episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.
But Ron, who currently serves as executive producer for the Apple TV+ docuseries ‘Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series’, also acknowledged his acting days are mostly behind him.
He said: “I happen to play myself in an upcoming episode of (Seth Rogen comedy) ‘The Studio’, and I had a lot of fun doing that… but it’s hard to make time for.”
Despite his reluctance to act again, Ron said he still finds the world of filmmaking to endlessly fascinating.
He added his work behind the camera has been “such a fascinating way of life”.
Ron also said the filmmaking process is about “giving it the medium and the audience and everything you’ve got, and then trying to look for the next great story”.
He added he’s “exuberant and forward-thinking about what I’m doing” and looks forward to what comes next.
Ron also joked: “As long as I can physically enjoy it.”
The filmmaker began his career as a child actor, most notably starring as Opie Taylor on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and Richie Cunningham on ‘Happy Days’.
His transition to directing saw him became a household name as a filmmaker, with his directing style hailed as a blend of mainstream appeal and emotional depth.
He took home two Academy Awards for his ‘A Beautiful Mind’ film and continues to shape Hollywood through his production company Imagine Entertainment.
Ron Howard has dedicated the majority of his Hollywood career to directing, but he says there is one thing — or person — that could lure him back to acting.
The actor-turned-director, 71, who serves as executive producer for the new Apple TV+ docuseries Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series says he would “love to do some acting,” but doesn’t see it in his future. “I happen to play myself in an upcoming episode of The Studio, and I had a lot of fun doing that… but it’s hard to make time for.”
What would entice him to return to acting? His daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard. “I think that if my daughter Bryce cast me in something, that would compel me to put down the directing obligation, put them on hold for a minute and show up,” the former star of The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days tells PEOPLE, referring to his 44-year-old actor/director daughter.
Ron Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard.
He adds, “But otherwise, between what’s going on at my company Imagine Entertainment with Brian Grazer and our team, and what I’m personally trying directorially, I keep my calendar full in ways that are exciting and I want to succeed at. I want to focus.”
Since he left Happy Days in 1984, his film and TV appearances have been mostly limited to voice roles, uncredited cameos and playing himself.
The Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind director says working behind the camera has proven to be “such a fascinating way of life.” He adds, “In the last decade, I’ve begun working on documentaries as well as scripted films, and I really love both.”
Howard continues, “I think both disciplines are kind of informing each other in interesting ways, and it’s stimulating some growth for me creatively, which is exciting at this point in my life. There are so many stories and ideas, a taste shift, a sensibility shift, and that puts different kinds of focus on storylines and styles of storytelling in cinema.”
Ron Howard directing the 2024 film ‘Eden’
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Much like the sport at the center of his new baseball docuseries, Howard — whose recent directorial projects include 2020’s Hillbilly Elegy, 2022’s Thirteen Lives and 2024’s Eden — says filmmaking is a craft that can
