Why Ron Howard Didn’t Allow Daughter Bryce to Act as a Child

Published: February 9, 2024

Why Ron Howard Didn’t Allow Daughter Bryce to Act as a Child

By Movieguide® Contributor

Bryce Dallas Howard recently revealed that her father, HAPPY DAYS star and acclaimed director Ron Howard, forbade her from acting as a child.

“I think if I had the chance to act younger, I would’ve taken it. But I wasn’t allowed to,” the JURASSIC WORLD actress explained. “My parents were very firm on that boundary, that they were not going to support anyone who wanted to be a child actor.”

Ron was himself a child actor, starring in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW when he was just 6 years old.

While Bryce was initially not a fan of her parents’ mandate, she is now “really glad that they did that because when I did start acting, it took a while to make a living. To be able to be like, ‘Oh, OK. I can actually support myself with this.’”

Now, she is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses.

“It’s so wonderful to get to be in an industry with family members, for me at least, because I’m not alone in it,” Bryce shared.

When it comes to her own kids, the actress says her son Theodore, 17, and daughter Beatrice, 12, don’t think she’s very strict.

“I’m not very strict as a parent, but I’ll ask my kids, ‘Do you think I’m strict?’ And they’re like, “No, you’re not. Except when it comes to safety,’” Bryce said.

She’s already followed in her father’s footsteps when it comes to acting, but now Bryce is taking on the role of director. Her credits already include the documentary DADS, as well as episodes of THE MANDALORIAN, THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT and STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW.

“I love directing, and it’s as important to me as acting, and it’s always been happening in the background,” Bryce explained.

Bryce has crossed over into the world of directing, but would her dad ever return to acting? Movieguide® previously reported:

While he’s not actively pursuing an acting gig for the time being, due to the myriad commitments he has in directing other projects, Howard suggested a scenario that would likely pique his interest.

He proposed that if his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard “called me up and said, ‘Dad, I’m directing this film and I want you to play a part,’ that’s something I would probably move my schedule around for.”

“That would be the quickest way to do it,” the Oscar-winning director said.