Iconic silver screen producer and director, Ron Howard, is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished stars in the entertainment industry. With an illustrious career that spans over three decades, the public has long been intrigued by his life. The “Happy Days” actor resided in a luxurious estate where he once raised his kids.
Ron Howard, 70, is widely known for his many movie projects like “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons,” some of which he has starred in with his wife, Cheryl Howard. He’s also directed many films, including “A Beautiful Mind” and “Frost/Nixon,” for which he received accolades and nominations.
Ron Howard at the Variety Welcome to Cannes Party in Cannes, France on May 16, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Ron began his Hollywood career as a child actor, first as Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” and then as Richie Cunningham on “Happy Days.” He later featured in several movies, including “The Twilight Zone” and “The Journey,” and since then, his career has continued to peak.
Ron Howard as Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1962. | Source: Getty Images
He comes from a theatrical family. Both his parents, Jean Speegle and Rance Howard, were Hollywood actors, and he was only a toddler when he was introduced to life in Hollywood, featuring in the 1956 movie “Frontier Woman.”
Despite Ron’s early success, his family acted as a stabilizing force, insisting that he be allowed to enjoy his childhood. They restricted Ron’s work life, allowing him to appear in only a few other productions, notably “The Music Man” and “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.”
Ron Howard’s parents, Jean Speegle Howard and Rance Howard, at the screening of “The Paper” in Century City, California on March 16, 1994 | Source: Getty Images
The film producer continued his public school education at John Burroughs High School at his father’s demand, and around this time, he began dabbling in amateur filmmaking. His abilities as a filmmaker were carried over as he continued to age.
While his career was still booming, Ron tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Cheryl, in 1975. The couple went on to welcome four children and made sure to give them a worthy upbringing.
A Perfect Home
Ron nested his family in a house fit for a celebrity of his caliber. The estate is located on Conyers Farm between Greenwich and Westchester, New York, where his property featured a classic New England-style mansion, a guest house, an indoor sports facility and pool, riding trails, and a flourishing farm.
Cheryl and Ron raised their children on the estate they bought in the 1990s. The house comes well equipped with state-of-the-art amenities like a two-story library and office, a theater with stadium seating, six fireplaces, six bedrooms, and five bathrooms. It also boasts 17,200 square feet of living space.
The sports complex includes an indoor saltwater swimming pool, a gym, a yoga studio, an indoor sports court, and a basketball half-court, and the detached guest house adds two more bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
A view of Ron Howard’s $27.5M mansion. | Source: YouTube/Wall Street Journal
Ron considered the property as the perfect place to raise his family. The Hollywood director said he did not want to raise his kids in the center of Tinseltown but instead wanted them to enjoy their privacy and have a normal childhood.
The house was later listed for $27.5 million, and it spent only ten days on the market before being purchased by Netscape co-founder Jim Clark and his wife, model Kristy Hinze, in 2014. According to reports, the sale was the most expensive ever recorded in Westchester County.
A view of Ron Howard’s $27.5M mansion. | Source: YouTube/Wall Street Journal
Outdoor Features of the House
Cheryl, Ron, and their family spent more than two decades in the mansion before selling it. The actor said he had to sell the house since their kids were all grown, and also noted that he felt accomplished giving his family the best he could.
Ron’s “best” is a noteworthy one, as the property sits on 32 acres and is surrounded by beautiful woods. The estate is well situated, located only one hour from New York City, and perfect for large-scale gatherings and parties. While they were still living there, the Howard family held two weddings, several parties, and fundraisers.
A view of Ron Howard’s $27.5M mansion. | Source: YouTube/Wall Street Journal
The outdoor features of the house are breathtaking. First, visitors are met with a 2,500-square-foot guest house inside the estate where they can enjoy a stunning view of the lake. Additionally, the lakefront guest house has two bedrooms, two full baths, a half-bath, and a two-car garage that connects the sports barn to the structure.
Stepping into the three-story main family house, guests are captivated by white walls, granite countertops, a quality security system, columns, and fencing. There are also well-placed flowers and trees in the front of the house, giving the home a fertile look of green surroundings and a white-painted mansion.
A view of Ron Howard’s $27.5M mansion | Source: YouTube/Wall Street Journal
An ivy-draped stone head house, gorgeous perennial gardens, a koi pond with a waterfall and pergola, a greenhouse, and an organic raised bed vegetable garden are among the estate’s features. There are also outdoor dining areas where people can have dinner or enjoy an evening snack.
It’s also situated opposite the lake, boasting a picturesque view. The home also includes a riding ring and horse stables, which provide plenty of entertainment for equestrians. Also, there is a beautiful sports house which includes a tennis court, providing a source of leisure.
The Indoor Features
Ron’s former home has a two-story mahogany library and office. This quiet spot of the house features large windows with beautiful sitting areas and views of the woods surrounding the property. A relaxing lounge is used as a billiard room on the main house’s lower floor.
It displays posters of Ron’s films, ranging from the 1980s comedy “Night Shift” to the Oscar-winning masterpiece “A Beautiful Mind.” The house also has a 14-seater private theater and served as a spot where some of his friends viewed and rated his unreleased works.
Meet His Family
Arguably, the best part of Ron Howard’s life is his family. The actor has three daughters and a son, and they each made living in a mansion a colorful experience.
Ron and Cheryl, who have been together since 1975 and credit honest communication as a key to their marital success, share kids, Bryce Dallas, Paige, Jocelyn, and Reed Howard. Each of the couple’s kids has emerged successful in their chosen field.
Their eldest daughter, Bryce, is an accomplished actress whose notable works include the Oscar-winning film “The Help.” She has also directed movies such as “Vanity Fair: Decades,” and “Orchids.” For the doting dad, seeing his children succeed is the biggest win of his life.