Ronald William Howard was born on March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma. He is the eldest of two brothers. His parents, Rance Howard, his father was an actor, director and writer, his mother Jean Howard was an actress, in 1959 his family moved to Hollywood. Young Ron quickly joined the family business and his first television role was in an episode of "Playhouse 90" followed by an appearance on "The Red Skelton Show." He also appeared in four episodes of "Denis the Menace" and five shows of "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." (Encarta) Ron has a face that refuses to age. No matter how much hair he loses or how much beard he grows, he continues to have a boyish charm. To some viewers he is always remembered as Opie Taylor and to others as Richie Cunningham, while the most populous group of the confused is known as Opie Cunningham. (sitcomsonline)Television producer Sheldon Leonard, who had seen Howard's performance in Barnaby and Mr. O'Mally, cast the actor in the "Andy Griffith Show," which began its eight-year run on CBS on October 3, 1960 The comedy of the show was set in the sleepy town of Mayberry, North Carolina, and centered on the daily lives of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith), his young son Opie (Howard), and his aunt. Bee (Frances Bavier), who was Opei's live in housekeeper and surrogate mother, and Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Andy's deputy. The scenes between Andy and Opie were sensitively written by Ron's father with similarities to their relationship, even some of Opeis' lines were written by his father. Howard's parents intervened in certain ways in his life since he was a child, such as making sure certain aspects of his life were The contracts said they didn't say he had to go on promotional tours. When he wasn't working he was enrolled in public schools so he could interact with other kids his age. “I was a novelty in school at first,” Howard told Edwin Miller. "People were very excited about having a child actor in the classroom. That would wear off within a couple of weeks, and then I was able to blend in perfectly." Howard later made the basketball team at Burroughs High School in Burbank; Howard then had to turn down acting assignments so as not to miss any basketball games.