Stage and screen actress Jean Speegle Howard, mother of actor-director Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, died Sept. 2 of complications from heart and respiratory illness in Burbank, Calif. She was 73.
Howard, who had roles in films including “Scrooged,” “Matilda,” “Traveler” and “Apollo 13” (which son Ron directed) also appeared in several TV shows including “The Wonder Years,” “Roseanne,” “Ellen” and “Married … With Children.”
Prior to her screen career, Howard toured with a children’s theater company and performed professionally in the theater before settling down to raise a family with her husband in the 1950s. After sons Ron and Clint were established in their careers, she began acting onscreen, appearing in 10 films and many TV shows before her ill health forced her into retirement last year.
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Howard is survived by her husband of 51 years, Rance; sons Ron and Clint; and four grandchildren.
Donations can be made in her memory to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
