OBITUARY

Darrell Satzman

BURBANK -- Actress Jean Speegle Howard, whose career on stage, screen

and television spanned more than 50 years, died in Burbank on Sept. 2,

2000. She was 73.

Mrs. Howard was the mother of director Ron Howard and actor Clint

Howard.

Born Jean Speegle, she was raised in Duncan, Okla. She attended the

American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. In 1946, while attending

the academy, she received a serious head injury when she was hit by a

truck. It was thought she might never walk again but within a year she

was back on the stage, this time at the University of Oklahoma. It was

there that classmate and fellow actor Dennis Weaver introduced her to her

future husband, Rance Howard. They were reacquainted in New York and

married in Kentucky while touring with a children’s theater company.

“It was romantic time and a great, great honeymoon,” Rance Howard said

Tuesday. “She had a great smile and a warm and wonderful

personality...She was full of vitality and I just really fell in love

with her.”

The Howards lived in Toluca Lake for more than 40 years. Mrs. Howard

was a longtime member of the Burbank PTA and served as its president for

two years.

“She realized the importance of education and the need for parental

involvement in schools,” Rance Howard said.

In the 1950s, Howard put her acting career on hold to raise her

family. With her children grown, Howard returned to acting, appearing in

numerous film roles and television programs. Among her film credits were

“Scrooged,” “Matilda” and “Apollo 13,” which was directed by her son,

Ron. She also appeared in dozens of television shows, including

“Roseanne,” “Ellen,” “The Wonder Years,” “Matlock” and “Grace Under

Fire,” in which she had a recurring role.

“She was a super actress and she was a charming person with out

trying. It just bubbled out of her,” her husband said.

Mrs. Howard is survived by her husband; sons Ron and Clint; and

grandchildren Bryce, Jocelyn, Paige and Reed.

Memorial services were private.