“Remember how we always said, ‘You can do it if you want, but you don’t have to?’ Well if you start this, you can’t quit’,” said Howard, recalling a conversation he had with his parents decades before. “You don’t have to do other parts on other shows, if you don’t want, but you’d have to keep doing this one.”
Explaining that he understood the message his parents were delivering, Howard adds, “I think it was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it.”
Actually, he was great at it, and he was about to reach a level of stratospheric stardom.
Howard’s ‘Happy Days’
While starring in The Andy Griffith Show, Howard also appeared on the big screen in 1962’s The Music Man, a musical film that was a huge commercial success.
A natural talent, he then starred in 1973’s American Graffiti, which also starred Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss and Cindy Williams, whom he would work alongside in the future.
It was in 1974 when he was cast as Richie Cunningham in a new series created by Garry Marshall called Happy Days, which appeared on TV screens in homes across the world from 1974 to 1984.
The TV show spawned a few popular spin-offs like Laverne & Shirley, starring Williams and Marshall’s sister Penny, and Mork & Mindy with Robin Williams as Mork, the favorite Orkan.
High school sweetheart
It was in 1970 – before he won a Golden Globe for his performance as the innocent teenager on Happy Days – that Howard met the high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley, whom he would marry in 1975.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Speaking with People, the director of the Da Vinci Code continued, “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
After 50 years of shared experiences, Howard, who earned an Oscar for directing A Beautiful Mind, commemorated the 50th anniversary of his first date with Cheryl on Instagram.
“Nov 1 1970 Cheryl & I went on our 1st date,” he wrote alongside a photo of himself wearing socks with images of Cheryl’s face. “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?”
He also shared their plans that day, “We’ll be driving in the same ‘70 VW Bug I picked Cheryl up in 5 decades ago. It runs great. So do we.”
His ‘good luck charm’
Cheryl made several cameos in Howard’s projects and even played herself on the TV comedy series Arrested Development, produced and narrated by Howard.
Speaking with the Television Academy, Ron called Cheryl his “good luck charm,” and explained that is why she appears in every film he makes.
“At a certain point, I became very superstitious about making sure that she appears, that she’s at least identifiable in one frame,” he said. “They don’t have to be big cameos, but she’s gotta be in there.”
In addition to bringing her husband some luck, Cheryl is also a published author who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in screenwriting.
The power couple are grandparents to six children and the parents of four, daughter Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn and son Reed.
Bryce – a recognizable actor – is known for roles in movies like Jurassic World and The Help, while Paige made her feature film debut in the 2009 movie Adventureland. Since she’s appeared in films The Employer and Collection.
Reed is a professional golfer and Paige’s twin sister Jocelyn is very private.
The secret to longevity
Nearing their 49th anniversary on June 7, the Emmy Award-winning producer shares that “communication” is the secret to their enduring love.
“People say, ‘How’d you do it?’ There’s no technique,” Howard tells People. “There’s no tactic, other than communication is really important. You have to learn to communicate and have difficult conversations in constructive ways. Beyond that, there’s an element of luck because people either grow together or they don’t and I don’t think you can force that.”
After this couple grew apart, the wife found a note in her husband’s pocket at his funeral – what happens next will shock you
Despite being together for more than ten years, Christie and Alex had never given birth.
During this period, however, they gave their careers their whole attention, which also caused them to become increasingly aloof.
Typically, Christie and Alex would eat at a modest restaurant on special occasions like Valentine’s Day and their anniversary. But as time passed, Christie longed for more from these outings, which had turned into more of a habit than amorous encounters.
Christie had always wanted to travel the world, see various cultures firsthand, and create treasured memories. She saw this dream as a means of fortifying their relationship because they wouldn’t have any kids to bind them.
But Alex always turned down her offers to travel, claiming it would be too costly and that they should put money up for their retirement. Consequently, Christie felt her life was turning into a pattern of work and sleep, and her once-bright love started to fade.
When Alex was given a rare cancer diagnosis, tragedy struck, forcing Christie to deal with her waning feelings and the realization that his time with her was running out.
Christie once got a call from the hospital when she was traveling home from work. “Mrs. Carson, your husband is not in good condition,” the nurse said in a somber tone. It is advisable that you come over here right now.
Feeling overwhelmed by emotions, Christie hurried to the hospital, questioning why their relationship had failed. Alex was scarcely able to talk when she came, but he made an effort to express his emotions.
“Christie, even if I didn’t get the chance to show you how much I love you, please know that you are my everything. He stated to her, “I recognized at one point that this love might not be mutual between us.
The sorrow he was hiding behind his words was evident in his laborious breathing. Christie went on, “I do love you, Christie, and I didn’t expect to leave this world so early,” tears welling up in his eyes. I had a tonne of plans for us.
“These are my last hours, and there’s nothing more I’d like to spend them with,” Alex said, reaching out for her hand and taking it. I also want to take a little piece of you with me when I pass away. Therefore, if you could, please place something in my pocket at my burial so I can keep it forever.
Christie, overcome, retorted, “Alex, I swear to do that.” Be at ease regarding me. I’ll look after my needs. You may relax and keep an eye on me from up there.
They sat in soothing calm, listened to music, and relived treasured moments during their last hours together. Alex closed his eyes gently as darkness fell and never opened them again.
Christie tucked her locket—a charming memento of their love—into his coat pocket during his funeral. She discovered a message written in Alex’s handwriting inside his pocket, which said:
To Christie,
I’m happy that I choose to spend the rest of my life with you because I’ve loved you my entire life. We became distant somewhere along the line, and I apologize for forgetting to live in the present while trying to show you how much I loved you.
When we were younger, you used to tell me about your long-held ambition of opening a cafe by the seaside where you could bake your delectable cake recipes and feed patrons substantial meals. This was something I never forgot, and it gave me daily incentive to work really hard. I apologize for neglecting you during this period as it consumed all of my attention.
Christie, I came very close to witnessing you realize this dream. I have a bank passbook in my safe that is registered in your name. I have enough money saved up there for you to start your company. Documents pertaining to the acquisition of a piece of land including a tiny cottage with a view of the ocean are also contained in an envelope. This is where your cafe can be installed.
I had not intended to depart from this life so soon. Together, I wanted to start this cafe. I apologize for not being there to support you while you turn this into a reality, but know that I will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
I will always adore you with all of my heart. Alex.
Christie hoped she could go back in time because she was so moved. She talked to Alex about his unmet hopes and prayers, and over time she gained the courage to take action.
Christie realized her lifetime dream of opening “Uncle Alex’s Seaside Cafe” in honor of her late spouse. It was a monument to unwavering love and a sobering reminder that sometimes the spark of desire and love needs to be reignited by a devastating loss.
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