Rance Howard

November 17, 1928 - November 25, 2017 Newkirk, Oklahoma, USA
IMDb

Rance Howard (born Harold Engle Beckenholdt; November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017) was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He was the father of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, and grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard. Howard appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), Splash (1984), Ed Wood (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Nebraska (2013), and Max Rose (2016). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for co-producing the television film The Time Crystal (1981).

His titles like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Angels & Demons, and Nebraska - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 18, 2026

Watched: 0/103
Weighted avg: 6.10 /10
  • 1
    1
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    2000November 2000 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Elderly Timekeeper
    Minor role as Elderly Timekeeper
    6.37 Good-
  • 2
    2
    Angels & Demons
    2009April 2009 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Cardinal Beck
    Minor role as Cardinal Beck
    6.28 Good--
  • 3
    3
    Nebraska
    2013September 2013 by Alexander Payne
    Supporting as Uncle Ray
    Supporting as Uncle Ray
    7.06 Good++
  • 4
    4
    Universal Soldier
    1992July 1992 by Roland Emmerich
    Minor role as John Devreux
    Minor role as John Devreux
    5.87 Okay+
  • 5
    5
    The 'Burbs
    1989February 1989 by Joe Dante
    Minor role as Detective #2
    Minor role as Detective #2
    6.31 Good--
  • 6
    6
    Psycho
    1998December 1998 by Gus Van Sant
    Minor role as Mr. Lowery
    Minor role as Mr. Lowery
    4.64 Mediocre+
  • 7
    7
    The Dilemma
    2011January 2011 by Ron Howard
    Supporting as Burt
    Supporting as Burt
    4.82 Mediocre++
  • 8
    8
    Frost/Nixon
    2008October 2008 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Ollie
    Minor role as Ollie
    6.87 Good+
  • 9
    9
    The Missing
    2003November 2003 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Telegraph Operator
    Minor role as Telegraph Operator
    5.84 Okay+
  • 10
    10
    D-Tox
    2002January 2002 by Jim Gillespie
    Minor role as Geezer
    Minor role as Geezer
    5.13 Okay--
  • 11
    11
    Toolbox Murders
    2004November 2004 by Tobe Hooper
    Starring as Chas Rooker
    Starring as Chas Rooker
    5.22 Okay-
  • 12
    12
    Little Giants
    1994October 1994 by Duwayne Dunham
    Minor role as Father Kelly
    Minor role as Father Kelly
    6.07 Okay++
  • 13
    13
    Georgia Rule
    2007May 2007 by Garry Marshall
    Minor role as Dog Bite Man
    Minor role as Dog Bite Man
    5.51 Okay
  • 14
    14
    Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
    2011February 2011 by Alex Zamm
    Minor role as Preacher
    Minor role as Preacher
    5.46 Okay
  • 15
    15
    Gung Ho
    1986March 1986 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Mayor Conrad Zwart
    Minor role as Mayor Conrad Zwart
    5.67 Okay+
  • 16
    16
    Ticks
    1993October 1993 by Tony Randel
    Minor role as Sheriff Parker
    Minor role as Sheriff Parker
    5.35 Okay-
  • 17
    17
    Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
    1995September 1995 by James D.R. Hickox
    Minor role as Employer
    Minor role as Employer
    4.55 Mediocre
  • 18
    18
    Spooky Buddies
    2011September 2011 by Robert Vince
    Minor role as Mr. Johnson
    Minor role as Mr. Johnson
    5.65 Okay
  • 19
    19
    Love & Sex
    2000February 2000 by Valerie Breiman
    Minor role as Earl
    Minor role as Earl
    5.75 Okay+
  • 20
    20
    Rosewood Lane
    2011October 2011 by Victor Salva
    Supporting as Fred Crumb
    Supporting as Fred Crumb
    4.70 Mediocre+
  • 21
    21
    Happy, Texas
    1999December 1999 by Mark Illsley
    Minor role as Ely
    Minor role as Ely
    5.39 Okay-
  • 22
    22
    Grand Theft Auto
    1977June 1977 by Ron Howard
    Supporting as Ned Slinker
    Supporting as Ned Slinker
    5.34 Okay-
  • 23
    23
    Grizzly Park
    2008February 2008 by Tom Skull
    Minor role as Ranger Howard
    Minor role as Ranger Howard
    4.90 Mediocre++
  • 24
    24
    Chairman of the Board
    1998March 1998 by Alex Zamm
    Minor role as Rev. Hatley
    Minor role as Rev. Hatley
    4.25 Mediocre-
  • 25
    25
    Snapdragon
    1993December 1993 by Worth Keeter
    Supporting as Priest
    Supporting as Priest
    4.79 Mediocre++
  • 26
    26
    Creator
    1985September 1985 by Ivan Passer
    Minor role as Mr. Spencer
    Minor role as Mr. Spencer
    5.80 Okay+
  • 27
    27
    Sasquatch Mountain
    2006September 2006 by Steven R. Monroe
    Supporting as Harris Zeff
    Supporting as Harris Zeff
    5.40 Okay-
  • 28
    28
    Ed and His Dead Mother
    1993June 1993 by Jonathan Wacks
    Minor role as Rev. Praxton
    Minor role as Rev. Praxton
    5.49 Okay
  • 29
    29
    Second Chances
    2013May 2013 by Ernie Barbarash
    Minor role as Wilbur
    Minor role as Wilbur
    5.87 Okay+
  • 30
    30
    The Trial
    2010September 2010 by Gary Wheeler
    Supporting as Judge Danielson
    Supporting as Judge Danielson
    5.71 Okay+
  • 31
    31
    Play the Game
    2009February 2009 by Marc Fienberg
    Supporting as Mervin Lavine
    Supporting as Mervin Lavine
    5.70 Okay+
  • 32
    32
    Gentle Ben
    1967–1969
    Starring as Henry Boomhauer
    Starring as Henry Boomhauer
    5.91 Okay++
  • 33
    33
    Traveller
    1997April 1997 by Jack N. Green
    Minor role as Farmer
    Minor role as Farmer
    5.61 Okay
  • 34
    34
    The Second Civil War
    1997December 1997 by Joe Dante
    Minor role as Arnold Tooney, Jr.
    Minor role as Arnold Tooney, Jr.
    5.80 Okay+
  • 35
    35
    Dads
    2019September 2019 by Bryce Dallas Howard
    Minor role as Self
    Minor role as Self
    6.21 Good--
  • 36
    36
    A Crack in the Floor
    2001April 2001 by Sean Stanek
    Supporting as Floyd Fryed
    Supporting as Floyd Fryed
    5.16 Okay--
  • 37
    37
    Village of the Giants
    1965October 1965 by Bert I. Gordon
    Minor role as Deputy
    Minor role as Deputy
    4.75 Mediocre+
  • 38
    38
    Once Fallen
    2010November 2010 by Ash Adams
    Minor role as Harry
    Minor role as Harry
    5.50 Okay
  • 39
    39
    Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest
    1997November 1997 by Anthony Pullen Shaw
    Minor role as Jarvis Bean
    Minor role as Jarvis Bean
    6.23 Good--
  • 40
    40
    The Executioner's Song
    1982September 1982 by Lawrence Schiller
    Minor role as Lt. Nelson
    Minor role as Lt. Nelson
    5.72 Okay+
  • 41
    41
    Harley's Hill
    2011August 2011 by Don Most
    Starring as Charlie
    Starring as Charlie
    5.52 Okay
  • 42
    42
    InSight
    2011September 2011 by Richard Gabai
    Minor role as Cemetery Presider
    Minor role as Cemetery Presider
    5.28 Okay-
  • 43
    43
    Mr. No Legs
    1978May 1978 by Ricou Browning
    Supporting as Lou
    Supporting as Lou
    5.86 Okay+
  • 44
    44
    Easy Rider: The Ride Back
    2012February 2012 by Dustin Rikert
    Minor role as Andrew Jackson Bennett
    Minor role as Andrew Jackson Bennett
    5.24 Okay-
  • 45
    45
    Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter
    1994January 1994 by Corey Michael Eubanks
    Supporting as Todd
    Supporting as Todd
    5.64 Okay
  • 46
    46
    A Smoky Mountain Christmas
    1986December 1986 by Henry Winkler
    Minor role as Dr. Jennings
    Minor role as Dr. Jennings
    5.79 Okay+
  • 47
    47
    Forced to Kill
    1994May 1994 by Russell Solberg
    Supporting as Rance
    Supporting as Rance
    5.55 Okay
  • 48
    48
    Where the Lilies Bloom
    1974April 1974 by William A. Graham
    Supporting as Roy Luther
    Supporting as Roy Luther
    5.87 Okay+
  • 49
    49
    Love Letters
    1983April 1983 by Amy Holden Jones
    Minor role as Joseph Chesley
    Minor role as Joseph Chesley
    5.67 Okay+
  • 50
    50
    Eat My Dust
    1976April 1976 by Charles B. Griffith
    Minor role as Clark
    Minor role as Clark
    5.79 Okay+
  • 51
    51
    An Eye for an Eye
    1966June 1966 by Michael D. Moore
    Supporting as Harry
    Supporting as Harry
    6.26 Good--
  • 52
    52
    Broken Memories
    2017June 2017 by Michael Worth
    Starring as Jasper
    Starring as Jasper
    Needs more reviews
  • 53
    53
    Huff
    2013April 2013 by Paul Morrell
    Minor role as Scotty
    Minor role as Scotty
    5.38 Okay-
  • 54
    54
    Tiger Heart
    1996August 1996 by Georges Chamchoum
    Supporting as Mr. Johnson
    Supporting as Mr. Johnson
    5.70 Okay+
  • 55
    55
    Busted
    1997February 1997 by Corey Feldman
    Minor role as Mayor Davies
    Minor role as Mayor Davies
    5.05 Okay--
  • 56
    56
    Apple Seed
    2019April 2019 by Michael Worth
    Lead role as Carl
    Lead role as Carl
    Needs more reviews
  • 57
    57
    Listen to Me
    1989May 1989 by Douglas Day Stewart
    Minor role
    Minor role
    5.64 Okay
  • 58
    58
    Be My Baby
    2007May 2007 by Bryce Olson
    Minor role as Zippy
    Minor role as Zippy
    5.50 Okay
  • 59
    59
    Let Go
    2011October 2011 by Brian Jett
    Minor role as Dimples
    Minor role as Dimples
    5.48 Okay
  • 60
    60
    Audie & the Wolf
    2008January 2008 by B. Scott O'Malley
    Supporting as Dr. Maleosis
    Supporting as Dr. Maleosis
    5.58 Okay
  • 61
    61
    Boris and Natasha
    1992April 1992 by Charles Martin Smith
    Minor role as Polygraph Man
    Minor role as Polygraph Man
    5.41 Okay-
  • 62
    62
    The Long Hot Summer
    1985
    Minor role as Wilk
    Minor role as Wilk
    5.63 Okay
  • 63
    63
    Big Wind on Campus
    2000January 2000 by Adeeb Hammoudi
    Supporting as Grandpa Morton
    Supporting as Grandpa Morton
    Needs more reviews
  • 64
    64
    Where Truth Lies
    1996December 1996 by William H. Molina
    Minor role as Judge Bloom
    Minor role as Judge Bloom
    5.56 Okay
  • 65
    65
    9 1/2 Ninjas!
    1991January 1991 by Aaron Barsky
    Minor role as Ninja Negotiator
    Minor role as Ninja Negotiator
    5.35 Okay-
  • 66
    66
    Max Rose
    2016September 2016 by Daniel Noah
    Minor role as Walter Prewitt
    Minor role as Walter Prewitt
    Needs more reviews
  • 67
    67
    Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy
    1978November 1978 by Gary Weis
    Supporting as Self
    Supporting as Self
    Needs more reviews
  • 68
    68
    Ghost Town: The Movie
    2008October 2008 by Jeff Kennedy
    Supporting as Sheriff Tom Parker
    Supporting as Sheriff Tom Parker
    Needs more reviews
  • 69
    69
    Miracle at Sage Creek
    2005November 2005 by James Intveld
    Minor role as Doctor Babcock
    Minor role as Doctor Babcock
    5.87 Okay+
  • 70
    70
    Ghost Rock
    2004June 2004 by Dustin Rikert
    Minor role as Cash
    Minor role as Cash
    Needs more reviews
  • 71
    71
    The Wild Country
    1970December 1970 by Robert Totten
    Minor role as Cleve
    Minor role as Cleve
    5.92 Okay++
  • 72
    72
    B.O.R.N.
    1989October 1989 by Ross Hagen
    Supporting as Robert Morrison
    Supporting as Robert Morrison
    Needs more reviews
  • 73
    73
    Locusts
    1974October 1974 by Richard T. Heffron
    Supporting as Aaron
    Supporting as Aaron
    Needs more reviews
  • 74
    74
    Cotton Candy
    1978October 1978 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Mr. Bremmercamp
    Minor role as Mr. Bremmercamp
    Needs more reviews
  • 75
    75
    The Night Caller
    1998July 1998 by Robert Malenfant
    Minor role as Hank
    Minor role as Hank
    Needs more reviews
  • 76
    76
    Bloody Trail
    1972January 1972 by Richard Robinson
    Starring as Jake
    Starring as Jake
    Needs more reviews
  • 77
    77
    Chasing the Star
    2017September 2017 by Bret Miller
    Starring as Devil as an Old Man
    Starring as Devil as an Old Man
    Needs more reviews
  • 78
    78
    Redemption: For Robbing the Dead
    2011October 2011 by Thomas Russell
    Starring as Doctor
    Starring as Doctor
    Needs more reviews
  • 79
    79
    Ping!
    2001September 2001 by Chris Baugh
    Minor role as Old Man
    Minor role as Old Man
    5.86 Okay+
  • 80
    80
    The Genesis Code
    2010August 2010 by Patrick Read Johnson
    Supporting as Dr. Tolley
    Supporting as Dr. Tolley
    Needs more reviews
  • 81
    81
    Gone Dark
    2013November 2013 by Pascal Cooper
    Supporting as Charles
    Supporting as Charles
    Needs more reviews
  • 82
    82
    Huckleberry Finn
    1978March 1978 by Robert Totten
    Minor role as Pap Finn
    Minor role as Pap Finn
    Needs more reviews
  • 83
    83
    Legend of the Phantom Rider
    2003February 2003 by Alex Erkiletian
    Supporting as Doc Fisher
    Supporting as Doc Fisher
    Needs more reviews
  • 84
    84
    Smokey Bites the Dust
    1981October 1981 by Charles B. Griffith
    Minor role as Football Coach
    Minor role as Football Coach
    Needs more reviews
  • 85
    85
    The Colony
    1995September 1995 by Rob Hedden
    Minor role as Stan Benson
    Minor role as Stan Benson
    Needs more reviews
  • 86
    86
    Limit Up
    1989November 1989 by Richard Martini
    Supporting as Chuck Feeney
    Supporting as Chuck Feeney
    Needs more reviews
  • 87
    87
    Skyward
    1980November 1980 by Ron Howard
    Minor role as Pilot #2
    Minor role as Pilot #2
    Needs more reviews
  • 88
    88
    Boppin' at the Glue Factory
    2009January 2009 by Jeff Orgill
    Supporting as Walker Bill
    Supporting as Walker Bill
    Needs more reviews
  • 89
    89
    Death and Texas
    2004March 2004 by Kevin DiNovis
    Supporting as Circuit Court Judge
    Supporting as Circuit Court Judge
    Needs more reviews
  • 90
    90
    Scandal Sheet
    1985January 1985 by David Lowell Rich
    Minor role as Mr. Bell
    Minor role as Mr. Bell
    Needs more reviews
  • 91
    91
    The Child Wanderers Norwegian
    2010March 2010 by Grete Salomonsen Hynnekleiv
    Minor role as Old Knut
    Minor role as Old Knut
    Needs more reviews
  • 92
    92
    Within
    2009June 2009 by Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Minor role as Deli Owner
    Minor role as Deli Owner
    Needs more reviews
  • 93
    93
    Flatbed Annie & Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers
    1979February 1979 by Robert Greenwald
    Minor role as Mr. Murray
    Minor role as Mr. Murray
    Needs more reviews
  • 94
    94
    Killing Cupid
    1995July 1995 by Michael Worth
    Minor role as Zeke
    Minor role as Zeke
    Needs more reviews
  • 95
    95
    The Long Ride Home
    2003March 2003 by Robert Marcarelli
    Minor role as Old Man
    Minor role as Old Man
    Needs more reviews
  • 96
    96
    A Death in California
    1985
    Minor role as Ralph Lee
    Minor role as Ralph Lee
    Needs more reviews
  • 97
    97
    The Miracle of Kathy Miller
    1981October 1981 by Robert Michael Lewis
    Minor role as Dr. Jewell
    Minor role as Dr. Jewell
    Needs more reviews
  • 98
    98
    Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess
    1983November 1983 by James Goldstone
    Minor role as Still Photographer
    Minor role as Still Photographer
    Needs more reviews
  • 99
    99
    Playing with Fire
    1985April 1985 by Ivan Nagy
    Minor role as Fireman Goodwin
    Minor role as Fireman Goodwin
    Needs more reviews
  • 100
    100
    Scout's Honor
    1980September 1980 by Henry Levin
    Minor role as The Captain
    Minor role as The Captain
    Needs more reviews
  • 101
    101
    Malevolence
    1999February 1999 by Belle Avery
    Minor role as Dr. Burns
    Minor role as Dr. Burns
    Needs more reviews
  • 102
    102
    The Kid with the Broken Halo
    1982April 1982 by Leslie H. Martinson
    Minor role as Coach Ramsdell
    Minor role as Coach Ramsdell
    Needs more reviews
  • 103
    103
    Switched at Birth
    1991
    Minor role as Frank Hill
    Minor role as Frank Hill
    Needs more reviews
Co-starring with:
Clint Howard 20 titles
Gary Busey 2 titles
Jeff Fahey 3 titles
Vince Vaughn 2 titles
Lance Henriksen 2 titles
Adrienne Barbeau 2 titles
Bruce Dern 2 titles
Bill McKinney 1 title
Bette Davis 1 title