The Sweetest Photos of Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard Over the Years, as the Director Turns 72
The Sweetest Photos of Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard Over the Years, as the Director Turns 72
Alexandra SchonfeldSun, March 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
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Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1979Credit: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
Ron and Cheryl Howard's love story is decades in the making.
The couple, who met in high school and went on their first date in 1970, have been by each other's sides for all of life's big moments.
Cheryl, who is a published author, and Ron, an actor and Oscar-winning director, expanded their family four times over with the addition of their children, daughters Bryce Dallas, Jocelyn Carlyle and Paige Carlyle, as well as son Reed Cross.
"We've had that good fortune of our chemistry staying strong, our interests having grown and evolved, but somehow remaining compatible," Ron, who turns 72 on March 1, 2026, told PEOPLE. "There's an element of luck there. I count myself as supremely fortunate.”
From their early days as a pair to their more recent outings, take a look back at some of the sweetest photos of the longtime couple.
01 of 15
So High School
Cheryl Howard and Ron HowardCredit: realronhoward/Instagram
Ron Howard and Cheryl Alley met while attending John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California, and had their first date in 1970.
"Nov 1 1970 Cheryl & I went on our 1st date," Ron wrote alongside an Instagram post commemorating the 40th anniversary of the moment in 2020. "We went to see a re-release of Stanley Kramer's It's a Mad Mad Mad World and then got some pizza at now defunct Barnone's in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, right?"
02 of 15
Longtime Love
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in the 1970sCredit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
He added a sweet detail sharing that to celebrate, "We'll be driving in the same '70 VW Bug I picked Cheryl up in 5 decades ago. It runs great. So do we."
Sporting what appears to be a signature look for a young Ron Howard, the couple is seen here in the 1970s.
03 of 15
Wedding Bells
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard's wedding in 1975Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
After Ron Howard proposed three times, the two tied the knot in 1975 in Burbank. Special guests for their big day included the actor's famous costars from The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, including his TV dads Andy Griffith and Tom Bosley.
04 of 15
Eyes for You
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1975Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
See what we mean about the ruffled shirts?
05 of 15
Sweet Moment
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1979Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
The two took their date night to the 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1979.
06 of 15
Baby Makes Three
Ron Howard, Cheryl Howard and Bryce Dallas Howard in 1982Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In 1981 the couple expanded their family when they welcomed their first daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard — seen here with her parents in 1982. Their family continued to grow over the years with the addition of twins Paige Carlyle Howard and Jocelyn Carlyle Howard in 1985 and later son Reed Cross Howard in 1987.
07 of 15
Bring It In
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1983Credit: Alan Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard were all smiles when they attended the third annual Carousel Ball of Hope in Denver in 1983.
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08 of 15
Beaming with Pride
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1989Credit: AP Photo/Bob Galbraith
And Cheryl Howard was of course on deck to celebrate her husband's film Parenthood at the L.A. premiere in 1989.
09 of 15
Winner's Circle
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1996Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
The two were all dressed up in 1996 when Ron Howard won the Directors Guild of America award for Apollo 13.
10 of 15
To the Nines
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 1996Credit: Bei/Shutterstock
The same year, the couple stepped out for the Oscars, where Ron Howard opted for a classic black tux while Cheryl Howard wore a blue gown.
11 of 15
Star Support
Cheryl Howard and Ron Howard in 2015Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
As always, Cheryl was right by her husband's side as he received his second Hollywood Walk of Fame star for his contributions to both film and TV.
12 of 15
Fancy Date Night
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 2017Credit: John Shearer/Getty
The couple, who are now grandparents six times over, are still each other's favorite dates decades later.
Over the years, Cheryl Howard has also "been in everything" that Ron Howard has directed since "11th grade in high school," he's said.
"At a certain point, I became very superstitious about making sure that she appears, that she's at least identifiable in one frame," Ron explained to the Television Academy, calling Cheryl his "good luck charm." "They don't have to be big cameos, but she's gotta be in there."
13 of 15
Five Decades in the Making
Cheryl Howard and Ron Howard in 2022Credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage
From high school sweethearts to grandparents, Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard have a love story for the ages.
"I met her, and there was never anybody else," Ron, seen here with his wife in 2022, told PEOPLE in 2019. "She's unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences."
14 of 15
Golden Year
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard in 2025Credit: Ron Howard/Instagram
They hit their milestone 50th anniversary in 2025, and Ron reflected on the "calm soothing waters and some tricky rapids" throughout their relationship. The key to it all? "Love and respect each other enough to just keep paddling," he wrote.
15 of 15
Wife Guy
Ron Howard and Cheryl HowardCredit: Ron Howard/Instagram
Ron marked his wife's 72nd birthday in December 2025 with a wintry selfie full of warmth.
In 2024, while on The View ahead of their 49th wedding anniversary, Ron gushed about Cheryl — and even got a bit emotional.
"I found this girl who was just so full of life. She was flying airplanes. She was going to night school to get ahead, and all of these things,” Howard said. “And she just had so much authentic energy for life and joy and she does... still."
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