Who is Clint Howard?
Clint is an American actor known for his extensive career in film and television, the younger brother of renowned actor and director Ron Howard. Clint has appeared in close to 250 productions, often portraying eccentric or offbeat characters.
His filmography includes roles in movies such as “Apollo 13”, “The Waterboy”, and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”. He has also made numerous television appearances, including notable shows such as “Star Trek” and “The Andy Griffith Show”. Clint’s unique appearance and versatile acting skills have made him one of the most recognizable character actors in the industry.
Early Life and Education
Born Clinton Engle Howard on 20 April 1959, in Burbank, California, USA, to Rance and Jean Speegle Howard, who were both actors, ensuring that their sons were exposed to the acting world at an early age.
Clint’s education, however, took a backseat to his blossoming career. His first significant role came at just two years old when he appeared in an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show”, which co-starred his brother, Ron. Although Clint didn’t attend college, he continued to learn on the job, honing his craft with every performance.
Roles in Movies
One of Clint’s earliest notable movie roles came in 1963 when he appeared in the film “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” at the age of four; this early start in the industry paved the way for a long and successful career. Throughout the 1970s, Howard continued to appear in a variety of films, including “Eat My Dust!” and “Grand Theft Auto”, the latter directed by his brother Ron.
In the 1980s, Clint’s career gained momentum as he took on roles in well-known movies such as “Night Shift” and “The Wraith”. One of his most memorable performances during this period was in the science fiction film “Evilspeak” (1981), in which he portrayed a tormented teenager who uses a computer to summon demonic forces, showcasing his ability to delve into darker, more intense characters.
Clint’s association with his brother continued in the following years, with appearances in films such as “Parenthood” (1989) and “Far and Away” (1992). It was during the early 1990s, that Clint began delving into the horror genre, starting with his roles in films such as “Carnosaur” (1993) and “Ticks” (1993).
In 1995, Clint appeared in the Oscar-winning drama “Apollo 13”, based on the real-life story about the crew of the eponymous spacecraft which miraculously returned to Earth after a critical failure.
As the new millennium began, Clint continued to take on diverse roles in both mainstream and independent films. In 2002, he appeared in the popular comedy “Austin Powers in Goldmember”, which starred Mike Myers, Beyoncé Knowles and Seth Green. However, he also continued to work on smaller, independent projects, such as Uwe Boll’s horror film “House of the Dead” (2003), in which he played a creepy and deranged character named Salish.
In 2007, Clint had a supporting role of Doctor Kopleson in another cult-classic horror, “Halloween”, and in the following years, he took a number of roles across different genres, in movies such as “Alabama Moon” (2009), “Blubberella” (2011), “Assault on Wall Street” (2012), and “The Funhouse Massacre” (2015).
More recently, in 2018, Clint appeared in the highly anticipated sci-fi action film “Solo: A Star Wars Story”, following the journey of Han Solo, one of the most beloved characters from the “Star Wars” movie franchise.
Clint’s latest movie role was in the 2023 neo-western “The Old Way”, which also stars Nicholas Cage and Ryan Kiera Armstrong.
Roles in TV Series
One of Clint’s earliest television roles was in the beloved classic series “The Andy Griffith Show”, portraying the character Leon, a young boy with a distinctive voice and memorable mannerisms. Howard’s appearances on the show spanned several seasons, and his quirky portrayal of Leon made him a fan favorite.
In 1964 and ‘65, Clint played the recurring role of Stanley in the primetime comedy “The Baileys of Balboa”. His next recurring role as a child actor was in the adventure drama “Gentle Ben”, in which he played Mark, the youngest son of a family of adventurers.
Howard’s connection to science fiction began with his involvement in the iconic franchise “Star Trek”. He made appearances in multiple iterations of the series, including the original series in 1966, and later installments such as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1995), “Star Trek: Enterprise” (2002), and “Star Trek: Discovery” (2017). In these shows, Howard took on a range of characters, each with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies, adding his distinctive touch to the science fiction universe.
In addition, Clint’s television career includes appearances in various popular shows. Through the 1970s, he made numerous episodic appearances is shows such as “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Mod Squad”, and “Happy Days”. In the following decade, Clint was primarily focused on his work in film, but still made several appearances in series such as “Sledge Hammer!”, “Gung Ho”, and “Santa Barbara”.
In 1992, he guest-starred in the hit sitcom “Seinfeld” as a character named Phil, who becomes obsessed with Elaine’s ‘man hands’. He also had a remarkable guest role in the 1996 episode of the the sci-fi horror anthology series “The Outer Limits”, entitled “First Anniversary”.
Another noteworthy comedy appearance for Clint was in the critically acclaimed series “Arrested Development”. He portrayed Johnny Bark, a character known for his bizarre behavior and unusual catchphrases. Clint made his first appearance in the show in 2003, reprising his role in the 2013 revival season.
Also in 2013, he appeared in an episode of the popular action crime drama “Hawaii Five-O”. More recently, Clint had episodic roles in series such as “Malibu Dan the Family Man” (2017), “The Shadow Diaries” (2020), and “Pam & Tommy” (2022).
Voice Acting
Clint’s talents aren’t confined to on-screen performances; he has also lent his distinct voice to numerous animated characters, making significant contributions to the world of voice acting.
Clint began his journey into voice acting back in the 1960s. He voiced the kangaroo Roo in several Disney animated movies about “Winnie the Pooh”, and in 1967, he voiced an elephant in the classic Disney film “The Jungle Book”.
Clint has also lent his voice in several other animated films later in his career, including “Curious George” (2006), and “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” (2009).
Music career
In addition to acting, Clint has dipped his toe into the music industry. In 1981, he along with his friend and fellow actor Rance Howard, formed a band called The Kempsters. Although they didn’t achieve mainstream success, the group provided a platform for Clint to showcase another facet of his creative talent. They released one self-titled album and performed at various local venues.
Clint also showcased his musical talents in the movie “The Wraith” (1986), in which he played a character named Rughead, who is a rock music enthusiast.
Personal life
Clint has been married three times. His first was with Ann Marie Lynch in 1988. The couple didn’t have children together, and parted ways in the early 1990s.
Clint then married his long-time girlfriend, Melanie Howard, in 1995. The couple was together for more than two decades until they divorced in 2017 citing irreconcilable differences. Clint and Melanie had a private relationship, rarely appearing together in public, reflecting Clint’s preference for a low-profile personal life.
In July 2020, Clint tied the knot with Kat C. Howard in a private ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Clint is open about his political affiliation, and is a supporter of the Republican Party, in contrast to his brother, Ron, who is a Democrat. In 2016, he endorsed US Senator Ted Cruz for the Republican presidential nomination.
Hobbies and Interesting Facts
When he’s not on set, Clint has a passion for golf, and has often participated in celebrity tournaments until he was forced to quit due to a hip replacement. He’s an avid ice hockey fan, and is a regular attendee at LA Kings games.
An interesting tidbit about Clint is his love for collecting rubber ducks, a hobby which has seen him amass hundreds of them over the years.
Another hobby of Clint’s is making one-of-a-kind snow globes. He’s gained recognition for his artwork and his snow globes were featured in different entertainment programs, including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”.
Net Worth
Having been in the entertainment industry for over five decades, Clint has amassed a modest fortune. As of July 2023, Clint’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million, coming predominantly from his acting roles, but his involvement in various TV productions and voice-over work has also contributed to his wealth.
