The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family

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INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Rons and Clints early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topicshow an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! The Boys will surprise every reader with its humanity.Tom Hanks

"I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. ButThe Boysstands alone. A delightful, warm and fascinatingstory of agoodlife in show business.Malcolm Gladwell

Happy Days,The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Benthese shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the 60s and 70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.

What was it like to grow up on TV Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life. inThe Boys, he and his younger brother, Clint, examine their childhoods in detail for the first time. For Ron, playing Opie onThe Andy Griffith Showand Richie Cunningham onHappy Daysoffered fame, joy, and opportunitybut also invited stress and bullying. For Clint, a fast start on such programs asGentle BenandStar Trekpetered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons.

With the perspective of time and successRon as afilmmaker, producer, and Hollywood A-lister, Clint as a busy character actorthe Howard brothers delve deep into an upbringing that seemed normal to them yet was anything but. Their Midwestern parents,Rance and Jean, moved to California to pursue their own showbiz dreams. But it was their young sons who found steady employment as actors.Rance put aside his ego and ambition to become Ron and Clints teacher, sage, and moral compass. Jean became their loving protectorsometimesover-protectorfrom the snares and traps of Hollywood.

By turns confessional, nostalgic, heartwarming, and harrowing,THE BOYSis a dual narrative that lifts the lid on the Howard brothers closely held lives. Its thejourney of a tight four-person family unit that held fast in an unforgiving business and of two brothers who survived child-actor syndrome to become fulfilled adults.

Reviews

A Tinseltown childhood free of malice, regret or self-pity. Its like a Ron Howard movie between two covers a picture of a family unencumbered by major neuroses, hang-ups or rivalries links to an earlier, simpler age refreshing [and] homespun. Wall Street Journal kind, imperturbable and appreciative the lulling rhythms of harmonious boomer sibs clearing out the old family house. See, they seem to say, brotherly loveispossible in Hollywood. New York Times [A] nostalgic coming-of-age story that examines life in showbiz, fun adventures and, perhaps above all, the importance of family. CNN.com Who would have thought Ron Howard could be exciting And yet, he and his brother Clint have written a saga of talent, ambition, serendipity, and lust. Well, forget about the lust. Its just not there. But Ron and Clints story of their remarkable coming-of-age in show business will thrill any reader. Steve Martin Ive known and loved the Howard family for forty-eight years, and there are stories here that surprised even me. The Boys is an emotional journey that goes well beyond your typical Hollywood memoir. Henry Winkler "I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. But The Boys stands alone. A delightful, warm and fascinatingstory of agoodlife in show business. Malcolm Gladwell This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Rons and Clints early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topicshow an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! THE BOYS will surprise every reader with its humanity. Tom Hanks How can the complexities of husbandandwives, parentsandchildren, brother to brother be contained between the pages of one book Its impossible and yet The Boys touched me in such a way that the Howardsstory---Rance,Jean,Ronand Clintwill continue, for a long time,to settle on my heart like soft rain.It is about life and show business and how one, famous family connected both--with passion, loyalty,respect and, most of all, love. Glenn Close Actors and brothers Ron and Clint Howard reflect on growing up in Hollywood in this fascinating dual autobiography Candid, humorous, and entertaining, this intimate account will be a hit with the brothers fans. Publishers Weekly "Filled with delightful stories from the sets of The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben, The Music Man, and Happy Days, this memoir will be treasured by television and movie history buffs alike; fans of the Howards will greatly enjoy their teasing, loving banter, and evocation of a gentler era." Library Journal(starred review) Its wholesome, earnest and contains just enough tidbits about Mayberry and Happy Days to satisfy ardent fans In the end, its the remarkable story of a family that chose a very public line of work but managed to live by their own private values in an America that gave them the space to do just that. Associated Press "A treat for movie and TV buffs, this dual memoir is wholesome and satisfyingFans of the Howards will revel in the details of their young ascents into the Hollywood spotlight. Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is one of his generations most popular directors. From the critically acclaimed dramasA Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, Rush,andApollo 13to the hit comediesParenthoodandSplash, he has created some of Hollywoods most memorable films. Howard made his directorial debut in 1977 with Grand Theft Auto. He began his career in film as an actor, performing inThe Journeywhen he was four years old. He also starred inThe Music Man, the long-running television seriesThe Andy Griffith ShowandHappy Days, and in the filmAmerican Graffiti.His most recent films as a director areHillbilly Elegyand the upcomingThirteen Lives. Clint Howard is a character actor and the younger brother of filmmaker Ron Howard. He began his acting career at the age of three when he played the role of Leon onThe Andy Griffith Show. He starred opposite the titular bear in the popular late-60s CBS television seriesGentle Ben, and has gone on to act in countless TV shows and films over the years. Among his credits areStar Trekin virtually all of its incarnations,Apollo 13,Seinfeld, Rock n Roll High School,Arrested Development, The Waterboy, and many horror films.