Rance Howard

Rance Howard

Rance Howard (born Harold Engle Beckenholdt; November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017) was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He was the father of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, and grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard. Howard appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), Splash (1984), Ed Wood (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Nebraska (2013), and Max Rose (2016). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for co-producing the television film The Time Crystal (1981).

More details

Known For

Filmography

2019

Dads
Dads
as Self
Movie - Released: 9/6/2019
The Christ Slayer
The Christ Slayer
as Devil as Old Man
Movie - Released: 4/19/2019
Apple Seed
Apple Seed
as Carl
Movie - Released: 4/14/2019

2017

Broken Memories
Broken Memories
as Jasper
Movie - Released: 6/15/2017
Chasing the Star
Chasing the Star
as Devil as an Old Man
Movie - Released: 9/5/2017

2016

Kalebegiak
Kalebegiak
as José Mari
Movie - Released: 9/20/2016
Talk Radio
Talk Radio
as Lou
Movie - Released: 2/13/2016
40 Nights
40 Nights
as Devil as an Old Man
Movie - Released: 6/7/2016
Max Rose
Max Rose
as Walter Prewitt
Movie - Released: 9/2/2016

2015

Solemates
Solemates
as Older Man
Movie - Released: 2/12/2015

2013

Movie
Gone Dark
as Charles
Movie - Released: 11/1/2013
Nebraska
Nebraska
as Uncle Ray
Movie - Released: 9/21/2013
Huff
Huff
as Scotty
Movie - Released: 4/5/2013
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
as Engineer
Movie - Released: 7/3/2013
Second Chances
Second Chances
as Wilbur
Movie - Released: 5/20/2013

2012

Easy Rider: The Ride Back
Easy Rider: The Ride Back
as Andrew Jackson Bennett
Movie - Released: 2/25/2012

2011

Spooky Buddies
Spooky Buddies
as Mr. Johnson
Movie - Released: 9/20/2011
InSight
InSight
as Cemetery Presider
Movie - Released: 9/2/2011
Rosewood Lane
Rosewood Lane
as Fred Crumb
Movie - Released: 10/15/2011
Harley's Hill
Harley's Hill
as Charlie
Movie - Released: 8/17/2011
Let Go
Let Go
as Dimples
Movie - Released: 10/25/2011
Night Club
Night Club
as Chuck
Movie - Released: 4/11/2011
The Dilemma
The Dilemma
as Burt
Movie - Released: 1/13/2011
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
as Preacher
Movie - Released: 2/1/2011
Redemption: For Robbing the Dead
Redemption: For Robbing the Dead
as Doctor
Movie - Released: 10/16/2011

2010

The Child Wanderers
The Child Wanderers
as Old Knut
Movie - Released: 3/26/2010
The Genesis Code
The Genesis Code
as Dr. Tolley
Movie - Released: 8/25/2010
Once Fallen
Once Fallen
as Harry
Movie - Released: 11/2/2010
The Trial
The Trial
as Judge Danielson
Movie - Released: 9/10/2010
Jonah Hex
Jonah Hex
as Telegrapher
Movie - Released: 6/18/2010
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
as Bistro Gardens Diner
Movie - Released: 2/10/2010

2009

Angels & Demons
Angels & Demons
as Cardinal Beck
Movie - Released: 4/23/2009
Boppin' at the Glue Factory
Boppin' at the Glue Factory
as Walker Bill
Movie - Released: 1/1/2009
Play the Game
Play the Game
as Mervin Lavine
Movie - Released: 2/27/2009
Within
Within
as Deli Owner
Movie - Released: 6/3/2009
Lie to Me
Lie to Me
as Joe Metz
TV - Released: 1/21/2009
NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: Los Angeles
as Eugene
TV - Released: 9/22/2009

2008

Audie & the Wolf
Audie & the Wolf
as Dr. Maleosis
Movie - Released: 1/1/2008
Grizzly Park
Grizzly Park
as Ranger Howard
Movie - Released: 2/7/2008
Frost/Nixon
Frost/Nixon
as Ollie
Movie - Released: 10/15/2008
Ghost Town: The Movie
Ghost Town: The Movie
as Sheriff Tom Parker
Movie - Released: 10/8/2008
Drillbit Taylor
Drillbit Taylor
as Older Man
Movie - Released: 2/4/2008
Keith
Keith
as Old Man (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 9/13/2008

2007

Be My Baby
Be My Baby
as Zippy
Movie - Released: 5/29/2007
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
as Preacher
Movie - Released: 12/21/2007
Georgia Rule
Georgia Rule
as Dog Bite Man
Movie - Released: 5/10/2007

2006

Sasquatch Mountain
Sasquatch Mountain
as Harris Zeff
Movie - Released: 9/9/2006
Movie
Harrison Bergeron
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/1/2006
Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story
Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story
as James Kennedy
Movie - Released: 1/1/2006

2005

Miracle at Sage Creek
Miracle at Sage Creek
as Doctor Babcock
Movie - Released: 11/25/2005
Back By Midnight
Back By Midnight
as Priest
Movie - Released: 1/25/2005
Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man
as Announcer Al Fazin
Movie - Released: 6/2/2005
Ghost Whisperer
Ghost Whisperer
as Dirk Abrams
TV - Released: 9/23/2005
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
as Martin Carroll
TV - Released: 3/27/2005
Bones
Bones
as Jerold Norsky
TV - Released: 9/13/2005

2004

Toolbox Murders
Toolbox Murders
as Chas Rooker
Movie - Released: 11/12/2004
Ghost Rock
Ghost Rock
as Cash
Movie - Released: 6/8/2004
Death and Texas
Death and Texas
as Circuit Court Judge
Movie - Released: 3/12/2004
The Alamo
The Alamo
as Governor Smith
Movie - Released: 4/7/2004
CSI: NY
CSI: NY
as Samuel Cooper
TV - Released: 9/22/2004

2003

The Long Ride Home
The Long Ride Home
as Old Man
Movie - Released: 3/27/2003
The Missing
The Missing
as Telegraph Operator
Movie - Released: 11/26/2003
Legend of the Phantom Rider
Legend of the Phantom Rider
as Doc Fisher
Movie - Released: 2/11/2003
Cold Case
Cold Case
as Buddie
TV - Released: 9/28/2003
Arrested Development
Arrested Development
as Rance Howard
TV - Released: 11/2/2003
That's So Raven
That's So Raven
as Murphy
TV - Released: 1/17/2003

2002

D-Tox
D-Tox
as Geezer
Movie - Released: 1/4/2002
Jumping For Joy
Jumping For Joy
Movie - Released: 10/25/2002
That '80s Show
That '80s Show
TV - Released: 1/23/2002

2001

A Crack in the Floor
A Crack in the Floor
as Floyd Fryed
Movie - Released: 4/24/2001
Ping!
Ping!
as Old Man
Movie - Released: 9/4/2001
A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind
as White-Haired Patient
Movie - Released: 12/14/2001
Rat Race
Rat Race
as Feed the Earth Spokesman
Movie - Released: 8/17/2001
Joe Dirt
Joe Dirt
as Bomb Squad Cop
Movie - Released: 4/10/2001

2000

Big Wind on Campus
Big Wind on Campus
as Grandpa Morton
Movie - Released: 1/1/2000
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
as Elderly Timekeeper
Movie - Released: 11/17/2000
Love & Sex
Love & Sex
as Earl
Movie - Released: 2/23/2000
Son of the Beach
Son of the Beach
TV - Released: 3/14/2000
The Huntress
The Huntress
TV - Released: 7/26/2000

1999

Abilene
Abilene
as Arliss
Movie - Released: 3/13/1999
Happy, Texas
Happy, Texas
as Ely
Movie - Released: 12/3/1999
Malevolence
Malevolence
as Dr. Burns
Movie - Released: 2/1/1999
Angel
Angel
as Marcus Roscoe
TV - Released: 10/5/1999

1998

Land of the Free
Land of the Free
as Hotel Manager
Movie - Released: 11/24/1998
The Night Caller
The Night Caller
as Hank
Movie - Released: 7/13/1998
Psycho
Psycho
as Mr. Lowery
Movie - Released: 12/4/1998
Evasive Action
Evasive Action
as Train Engineer
Movie - Released: 1/1/1998
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board
as Rev. Hatley
Movie - Released: 3/13/1998
Small Soldiers
Small Soldiers
as Husband
Movie - Released: 7/10/1998
Two of a Kind
Two of a Kind
as Mr. Fillmore
TV - Released: 9/25/1998

1997

Holiday in Your Heart
Holiday in Your Heart
as Blind Man
Movie - Released: 12/14/1997
The Second Civil War
The Second Civil War
as Arnold Tooney, Jr.
Movie - Released: 12/4/1997
Busted
Busted
as Mayor Davies
Movie - Released: 2/17/1997
Traveller
Traveller
as Farmer
Movie - Released: 4/18/1997
Money Talks
Money Talks
as Reverend
Movie - Released: 8/22/1997
Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest
Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest
as Jarvis Bean
Movie - Released: 11/2/1997
Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me!
as Blind Flower Guy
TV - Released: 3/4/1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
as Reginald Hannon (segment "The Viewing")
TV - Released: 5/25/1997

1996

Mars Attacks!
Mars Attacks!
as Texan Investor
Movie - Released: 12/13/1996
Tiger Heart
Tiger Heart
as Mr. Johnson
Movie - Released: 8/8/1996
Where Truth Lies
Where Truth Lies
as Judge Bloom
Movie - Released: 12/28/1996
Sgt. Bilko
Sgt. Bilko
as Mr. Robbins
Movie - Released: 3/29/1996
Independence Day
Independence Day
as Chaplain
Movie - Released: 6/25/1996
Ghosts of Mississippi
Ghosts of Mississippi
as Ralph Hargrove
Movie - Released: 12/20/1996
Clueless
Clueless
TV - Released: 9/20/1996
7th Heaven
7th Heaven
as Old Man in Park
TV - Released: 8/26/1996

1995

Problem Child 3
Problem Child 3
as The Janitor
Movie - Released: 5/13/1995
The Colony
The Colony
as Stan Benson
Movie - Released: 9/13/1995
Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
as Employer
Movie - Released: 9/12/1995
Apollo 13
Apollo 13
as Reverend
Movie - Released: 6/30/1995
Killing Cupid
Killing Cupid
as Zeke
Movie - Released: 7/11/1995
Baywatch Nights
Baywatch Nights
TV - Released: 9/30/1995

1994

Runaway Daughters
Runaway Daughters
as Minute Man 3
Movie - Released: 8/12/1994
Terminal Velocity
Terminal Velocity
as Stunt Pilot/Chuck
Movie - Released: 9/23/1994
Ed Wood
Ed Wood
as Old Man McCoy
Movie - Released: 9/28/1994
Little Giants
Little Giants
as Father Kelly
Movie - Released: 10/14/1994
The Paper
The Paper
as Alicia's Doctor
Movie - Released: 3/18/1994
Forced to Kill
Forced to Kill
as Rance
Movie - Released: 5/18/1994
Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter
Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter
as Todd
Movie - Released: 1/1/1994
Babylon 5
Babylon 5
as David Sheridan
TV - Released: 1/26/1994
ER
ER
as Dr. Oliver Kostin
TV - Released: 9/19/1994

1993

Ticks
Ticks
as Sheriff Parker
Movie - Released: 10/12/1993
Snapdragon
Snapdragon
as Priest
Movie - Released: 12/1/1993
Fearless
Fearless
as Bald Cabby
Movie - Released: 10/15/1993
Ed and His Dead Mother
Ed and His Dead Mother
as Rev. Praxton
Movie - Released: 6/4/1993
Diagnosis: Murder
Diagnosis: Murder
as Driver
TV - Released: 10/29/1993
The X-Files
The X-Files
as Old Man
TV - Released: 9/10/1993

1992

I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
as Elderly Man
Movie - Released: 4/24/1992
Universal Soldier
Universal Soldier
as John Devreux
Movie - Released: 7/10/1992
Far and Away
Far and Away
as Tomlin
Movie - Released: 5/22/1992
Boris and Natasha
Boris and Natasha
as Polygraph Man
Movie - Released: 4/17/1992
Melrose Place
Melrose Place
as Motel Manager
TV - Released: 7/8/1992

1991

Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter
Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter
as Bernie
Movie - Released: 2/10/1991
9 1/2 Ninjas!
9 1/2 Ninjas!
as Ninja Negotiator
Movie - Released: 1/24/1991
Switched at Birth
Switched at Birth
as Frank Hill
Movie - Released: 4/28/1991

1989

Trust Me
Trust Me
as Vern
Movie - Released: 11/10/1989
The 'Burbs
The 'Burbs
as Detective #2
Movie - Released: 2/17/1989
B.O.R.N.
B.O.R.N.
as Robert Morrison
Movie - Released: 10/26/1989
Parenthood
Parenthood
as Dean at College
Movie - Released: 7/31/1989
Listen to Me
Listen to Me
Movie - Released: 5/5/1989
Limit Up
Limit Up
as Chuck Feeney
Movie - Released: 11/2/1989
Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt
as Des
TV - Released: 6/10/1989
Quantum Leap
Quantum Leap
as Doc Graves
TV - Released: 3/26/1989
Baywatch
Baywatch
as Joe
TV - Released: 4/23/1989
B.L. Stryker
B.L. Stryker
TV - Released: 2/13/1989
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
as Blind Man
TV - Released: 7/5/1989
Baywatch
Baywatch
as Fireman
TV - Released: 4/23/1989
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
as Farmer
TV - Released: 7/5/1989
Coach
Coach
as Herman Van Dam
TV - Released: 2/28/1989

1988

Dark Before Dawn
Dark Before Dawn
as Logan
Movie - Released: 1/2/1988
Superboy
Superboy
TV - Released: 10/8/1988

1987

Innerspace
Innerspace
as Supermarket Customer
Movie - Released: 7/1/1987
Wiseguy
Wiseguy
as Ernest Haynes
TV - Released: 9/16/1987
Married... with Children
Married... with Children
as Edwin
TV - Released: 4/5/1987

1986

Gung Ho
Gung Ho
as Mayor Conrad Zwart
Movie - Released: 3/14/1986
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
as Dr. Jennings
Movie - Released: 12/14/1986
Return to Mayberry
Return to Mayberry
as Preacher
Movie - Released: 4/13/1986
Two Soldiers
Two Soldiers
as Paw
Movie - Released: 4/1/1986
Gary Coleman: For Safety's Sake
Gary Coleman: For Safety's Sake
as Captain Truck
Movie - Released: 1/1/1986

1985

Creator
Creator
as Mr. Spencer
Movie - Released: 9/20/1985
Cocoon
Cocoon
as St. Petersburg Dectective
Movie - Released: 6/21/1985
Scandal Sheet
Scandal Sheet
as Mr. Bell
Movie - Released: 1/21/1985
Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire
as Fireman Goodwin
Movie - Released: 4/13/1985
The Long Hot Summer
The Long Hot Summer
as Wilk
TV - Released: 10/6/1985
A Death in California
A Death in California
as Ralph Lee
TV - Released: 5/12/1985

1984

Splash
Splash
as McCullough
Movie - Released: 3/9/1984
The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins
The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins
as Policeman
Movie - Released: 2/10/1984
The Lonely Guy
The Lonely Guy
as Minister
Movie - Released: 1/27/1984
Finder of Lost Loves
Finder of Lost Loves
as Hank
TV - Released: 9/22/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Fillmore
TV - Released: 9/30/1984

1983

Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess
Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess
as Still Photographer
Movie - Released: 11/1/1983
Forever and Beyond
Forever and Beyond
as Technician
Movie - Released: 10/15/1983
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
Movie - Released: 2/6/1983
Love Letters
Love Letters
as Joseph Chesley
Movie - Released: 4/1/1983
The Thorn Birds
The Thorn Birds
as Doc Wilson
TV - Released: 3/27/1983

1982

The Kid with the Broken Halo
The Kid with the Broken Halo
as Coach Ramsdell
Movie - Released: 4/5/1982
Airplane II: The Sequel
Airplane II: The Sequel
as Person #1 (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 12/10/1982
The Executioner's Song
The Executioner's Song
as Lt. Nelson
Movie - Released: 9/10/1982

1981

Smokey Bites the Dust
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Football Coach
Movie - Released: 10/1/1981
The Miracle of Kathy Miller
The Miracle of Kathy Miller
as Dr. Jewell
Movie - Released: 10/5/1981
Dynasty
Dynasty
TV - Released: 1/12/1981

1980

Skyward
Skyward
as Pilot #2
Movie - Released: 11/20/1980
Scout's Honor
Scout's Honor
as The Captain
Movie - Released: 9/30/1980

1979

Flatbed Annie & Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers
Flatbed Annie & Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers
as Mr. Murray
Movie - Released: 2/10/1979
The Kid from Left Field
The Kid from Left Field
as Harry the Bartender
Movie - Released: 9/30/1979

1978

Cotton Candy
Cotton Candy
as Mr. Bremmercamp
Movie - Released: 10/26/1978
Mr. No Legs
Mr. No Legs
as Lou's Sidekick
Movie - Released: 5/1/1978
Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy
Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/22/1978
Mork & Mindy
Mork & Mindy
as Guard
TV - Released: 9/14/1978
Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica
as Farnes
TV - Released: 9/17/1978

1977

Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto
as Ned Slinker
Movie - Released: 6/16/1977
Another Man, Another Chance
Another Man, Another Chance
as Wagonmaster
Movie - Released: 9/28/1977
The Legend of Frank Woods
The Legend of Frank Woods
as Howard Blacker
Movie - Released: 4/30/1977

1976

Eat My Dust
Eat My Dust
as Clark
Movie - Released: 4/1/1976
The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe
The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe
Movie - Released: 5/29/1976
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
TV - Released: 1/27/1976

1975

Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn
as Pap Finn
Movie - Released: 3/25/1975
Switch
Switch
as Collins
TV - Released: 9/9/1975

1974

Locusts
Locusts
as Aaron
Movie - Released: 10/9/1974
Where the Lilies Bloom
Where the Lilies Bloom
as Roy Luther
Movie - Released: 4/10/1974
Chinatown
Chinatown
as Irate Farmer
Movie - Released: 6/20/1974
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
TV - Released: 9/11/1974
Happy Days
Happy Days
TV - Released: 1/15/1974

1973

The Red Pony
The Red Pony
as Sheriff Bill Smith
Movie - Released: 3/17/1973

1972

Bloody Trail
Bloody Trail
as Jake
Movie - Released: 1/1/1972
The Rookies
The Rookies
TV - Released: 9/11/1972
Kung Fu
Kung Fu
TV - Released: 10/14/1972
The Waltons
The Waltons
TV - Released: 9/14/1972
ABC Afterschool Special
ABC Afterschool Special
as Myron Faraday
TV - Released: 10/4/1972
The Waltons
The Waltons
as Dr. McIvers
TV - Released: 9/14/1972

1971

Nichols
Nichols
as Deputy
TV - Released: 9/16/1971

1970

The Wild Country
The Wild Country
as Cleve
Movie - Released: 12/16/1970
Night Gallery
Night Gallery
as Cameraman (segment "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes")
TV - Released: 12/16/1970
Dan August
Dan August
as Hobbs
TV - Released: 9/23/1970

1969

Then Came Bronson
Then Came Bronson
TV - Released: 9/17/1969

1967

Cool Hand Luke
Cool Hand Luke
as Sheriff
Movie - Released: 11/1/1967
Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant
as Tater Coughlin
Movie - Released: 10/25/1967
Gentle Ben
Gentle Ben
as Henry Boomhauer
TV - Released: 9/10/1967

1966

An Eye for an Eye
An Eye for an Eye
as Harry
Movie - Released: 6/1/1966
The Monroes
The Monroes
TV - Released: 9/7/1966

1965

Village of the Giants
Village of the Giants
as Deputy
Movie - Released: 10/20/1965
The F.B.I.
The F.B.I.
as Ranger
TV - Released: 9/19/1965

1963

The Courtship of Eddie's Father
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
as Camp Counselor (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 3/27/1963

1962

The Virginian
The Virginian
as Luka
TV - Released: 9/19/1962

1961

The Mike Douglas Show
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self
TV - Released: 12/11/1961

1960

The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
as Treasury agent
TV - Released: 10/3/1960
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
as Bus Driver
TV - Released: 10/3/1960
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
as The Governor's Chauffeur
TV - Released: 10/3/1960

1958

Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
as Fletcher
TV - Released: 10/8/1958

1956

Frontier Woman
Frontier Woman
as Prewitt
Movie - Released: 7/4/1956

1955

Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
as Judge Alan Franklin
TV - Released: 9/10/1955
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
as Frank Benton
TV - Released: 9/10/1955

1947

Kraft Television Theatre
Kraft Television Theatre
TV - Released: 5/7/1947