“Ron Howard Praises Brother Clint’s Bold Honesty: ‘He Never Filters His Thoughts,’ Director Admits (Exclusive)”

Renowned filmmaker Ron Howard has expressed admiration for his sibling Clint Howard, who recently portrayed struggling musician Tom Starr in a recurring arc on the daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful. (The character met his demise through poisoning in the storyline.)

At 71, the Academy Award-winning director and former Happy Days star revealed it’s “completely expected” that Clint, 65, landed the high-profile soap opera role. “His exceptional skills as a character actor make him memorable. Productions always benefit from his participation,” Ron shared exclusively with PEOPLE. “Initially booked for a single episode, his performance expanded into a multi-episode storyline. His creativity and distinctive presence elevate every project.”

The collaborating siblings have worked together on 17 cinematic projects, ranging from Ron’s directorial debut Grand Theft Auto to major films like Cocoon and Apollo 13. “His professionalism never falters,” noted Ron, currently serving as executive producer for Apple TV+’s sports documentary series Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series. “When Clint’s involved, I’m assured that character portrayal will exceed expectations.”

The director fondly recalled their on-set dynamic: “We share genuine camaraderie between takes. He never hesitates to speak his mind around me, which brings positive energy to productions.”

Reflecting on his soap opera experience, Clint emphasized the importance of preparation: “You receive substantial scripts demanding complete readiness. My parents [actors Rance and Jean Howard] instilled this discipline since childhood. Soap acting requires quick adaptation – mastering dialogue, understanding motivations, and delivering under tight schedules.”

During a 2021 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show promoting their joint memoir The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, Clint discussed valuable lessons from collaborating with his brother: “Early in my career, I realized Ron’s dual role – both family and director. While he’s an exceptional sibling, his filmmaking expertise remains unparalleled.”

The sports documentary series Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.

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