Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ron Howard made a remarkable transition from beloved child actor and "Happy Days" star to an Academy Award-winning director of blockbusters, comedies, thrillers, documentaries and biographical dramas. Discover the storytelling techniques behind his blockbuster hit Apollo 13 and for A Beautiful Mind, which starred Russell Crowe and won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. Howard shares his creative instincts, and what it's like to work alongside massive talents like Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Jim Carrey, Michael Sheen, and Frank Langella.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and share the secrets behind great movies.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=description&utm_id=description
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Backstory
4:53 - First Time Directing
7:19 - Finding Projects
11:07 - Pre-Production
15:36 - On Set
18:33 - Hollywood Confidential
22:24 - Favorite Films
24:07 - Last Word
#RonHoward #HollywoodDirectors #Apollo13 #ABeautifulMind #TomHanks #BehindTheScenes #Filmmaking #Director #THIRTEEN #WNET #PBS #Documentary #Film
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For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
Ron Howard made a remarkable transition from beloved child actor and "Happy Days" star to an Academy Award-winning director of blockbusters, comedies, thrillers, documentaries and biographical dramas. Discover the storytelling techniques behind his blockbuster hit Apollo 13 and for A Beautiful Mind, which starred Russell Crowe and won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. Howard shares his creative instincts, and what it's like to work alongside massive talents like Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Jim Carrey, Michael Sheen, and Frank Langella.
THIRTEEN presents "Hollywood's Best Film Directors." Discover the journeys of leading Hollywood directors, from their early influences and first films to the blockbuster projects that made their reputations. Through behind-the-scenes insights, they reveal the challenges of filmmaking, from developing scripts and securing funding to casting talent and working with major stars and share the secrets behind great movies.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=description&utm_id=description
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Backstory
4:53 - First Time Directing
7:19 - Finding Projects
11:07 - Pre-Production
15:36 - On Set
18:33 - Hollywood Confidential
22:24 - Favorite Films
24:07 - Last Word
#RonHoward #HollywoodDirectors #Apollo13 #ABeautifulMind #TomHanks #BehindTheScenes #Filmmaking #Director #THIRTEEN #WNET #PBS #Documentary #Film
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
