Ron Howard is an American actor, director, and filmmaker, best known for his role as Opie Taylor in "The Andy Griffith Show" and his role as Richie Cunningham in "Happy Days. " He transitioned from acting to directing in the late 1970s and has since established himself as a successful filmmaker, with notable movies such as "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind," "Cinderella Man," and "Frost/Nixon. " Howard has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Director.