Clint Howard

American character actor (born 1959)

Clint Howard (born April 20, 1959) is an American character actor with a career spanning more than six decades. Known for his distinctive appearance, versatility, and frequent collaborations with his brother, filmmaker Ron Howard, Clint Howard has appeared in over 200 films and television series. He is recognized for his roles in cult classics, mainstream Hollywood productions, independent cinema, and guest appearances across popular television shows.

Clint Howard
Born	April 20, 1959 Burbank, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1961–present
Notable works	Gentle Ben, Star Trek, Apollo 13, Ice Cream Man
Family	Ron Howard (brother), Rance Howard (father), Jean Speegle Howard (mother)
Spouse	Melanie Sorich (m. 1995; div. 2017)
Children	1

Clint Howard is often celebrated as a quintessential character actor: not typically the leading man, but always memorable in supporting and quirky roles. His performances have contributed to genres ranging from science fiction and fantasy to comedy and drama.

Early life

Clint Howard was born in Burbank, California, on April 20, 1959. He is the son of actors Rance Howard (1928–2017) and Jean Speegle Howard (1927–2000). His older brother, Ron Howard (born 1954), achieved fame as a child actor and later became an Academy Award-winning director.

Raised in a family deeply embedded in Hollywood, Clint Howard was introduced to acting at a young age. Encouraged by his parents, he quickly found work in television and film.

Career overview

Clint Howard began his acting career in the early 1960s, appearing in numerous television shows. His unusual looks and strong presence allowed him to play eccentric and memorable characters.

He has worked in:

• **Television** – Guest spots on Star Trek, Seinfeld, The Andy Griffith Show, and many others.
• **Film** – Appearances in Apollo 13, The Waterboy, Austin Powers series, and countless cult horror films.
• **Voice acting** – Animated projects including The Jungle Book (1967) where he voiced young elephants.

Howard has worked steadily across decades, balancing mainstream studio projects with independent films, often finding loyal fan followings in the science fiction and horror communities.

Breakthrough as a child actor

Clint Howard’s earliest notable role was as Leon, a recurring child character on The Andy Griffith Show, where his brother Ron played Opie Taylor.

In 1967, Howard appeared in the Star Trek episode “The Corbomite Maneuver” as Balok, an alien commander, in one of his most iconic roles. His performance is still remembered by Star Trek fans as a standout early moment of the franchise.

Howard also starred in the short-lived series Gentle Ben (1967–1969), playing a boy with a pet bear. The series became a syndicated staple and remains one of his most recognizable early achievements.

Notable film roles

Clint Howard’s film career has been wide-ranging, spanning family films, blockbusters, and cult horror.

Major film appearances

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1963	The Courtship of Eddie’s Father	Child role	Early small part in Ron Howard’s film.
1967	The Jungle Book	Voice of elephants	Disney animated classic.
1995	Apollo 13	Flight controller	Directed by Ron Howard.
1996	That Thing You Do!	KJZZ DJ	Another Ron Howard film.
1997	Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery	Johnson Ritter	Cult comedy.
1998	The Waterboy	Paco	Memorable supporting role in Adam Sandler’s film.
2000	How the Grinch Stole Christmas	Whobris	Big-budget holiday film directed by Ron Howard.
2001	Austin Powers in Goldmember	Johnson Ritter	Reprising comedic role.
2013	The Lone Ranger	Sheriff	Disney western.
2017	Solo: A Star Wars Story	Ralakili	Role in Star Wars spinoff directed by Ron Howard.

Horror and cult films

Clint Howard has achieved a cult following for his appearances in horror and low-budget genre films, including:

• Evilspeak (1981) – Played Stanley Coopersmith, a bullied cadet who invokes dark forces.
• Ice Cream Man (1995) – Starred as a deranged ice cream vendor, one of his most infamous roles.
• Ticks (1993) – Appeared in this horror cult film.
• Numerous cameos in B-movies, earning him recognition as a horror icon.

Television roles

Clint Howard has maintained a strong presence in television.

Year	Show	Role	Notes
1962–1964	The Andy Griffith Show	Leon	Child guest role alongside Ron Howard.
1967	Star Trek	Balok	Classic science fiction role.
1967–1969	Gentle Ben	Mark Wedloe	Lead role in family adventure series.
1993	Seinfeld	Homeless man	Guest appearance.
2001	Enterprise	Muk	Star Trek cameo in prequel series.
2018	Star Trek: Discovery	Orion	Continuing association with franchise.

Howard’s recurring participation in Star Trek across different decades has made him one of the franchise’s notable character actors.

Collaborations with Ron Howard

Clint Howard frequently collaborates with his brother Ron Howard, appearing in many of Ron’s films, including:

• Splash (1984)
• Cocoon (1985)
• Parenthood (1989)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
• The Da Vinci Code (2006)
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

These appearances have become a signature aspect of Ron Howard’s directing career, often adding a touch of eccentricity or comic relief.

Acting style

Clint Howard is recognized for:

• **Character versatility** – From comedy to horror, from sci-fi to drama.
• **Distinctive looks** – His appearance often lends itself to eccentric roles.
• **Cult status** – Beloved by fans of horror and science fiction for embracing quirky roles.
• **Longevity** – Maintained steady work for more than 60 years.

Personal life

Clint Howard has been married twice and is the father of one child. He is also an avid golfer and outdoorsman.

He has discussed his struggles and resilience in Hollywood, crediting his parents and family support for helping him sustain his career through highs and lows.

Legacy

Clint Howard’s career has earned him respect as a “character actor’s character actor.” He is appreciated by fans and filmmakers for his professionalism, adaptability, and willingness to take unconventional roles.

He has received lifetime achievement recognition at genre film festivals, especially those devoted to horror and cult cinema.

References

• Parish, James Robert. The MGM Stock Company: The Golden Era. Arlington House, 1973.
• Terrace, Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925–2010. McFarland, 2011.
• Brooks, Tim, and Marsh, Earle. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows. Ballantine, 2007.
• Holmstrom, John. Cult Movies: The Classics, the Sleepers, the Weird, and the Wonderful. Dell Publishing, 1991.
• Slide, Anthony. Actors on Screen: Character Actors in American Cinema. Greenwood Press, 1989.
• Muir, John Kenneth. Horror Films of the 1990s. McFarland, 2011.

External links

• Clint Howard on IMDb
• Clint Howard at AllMovie
• Clint Howard on Rotten Tomatoes
• Encyclopaedia Britannica — Clint Howard
• Clint Howard at Memory Alpha (Star Trek Wiki)