The Boys

A Memoir of Hollywood and Family

By: Ron Howard, Clint Howard

Narrated by: Ron Howard, Clint Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

An AudioFile Best Audiobook of 2021

Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award: "This audiobook is simply a delight...a must-listen."

“This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Ron’s and Clint’s early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topics - how an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! The Boys will surprise every reader with its humanity.” (Tom Hanks)

"I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. But The Boys stands alone. A delightful, warm, and fascinating story of a good life in show business.” (Malcolm Gladwell)

Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben - these shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the ’60s and ’70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.

“What was it like to grow up on TV?” Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life. in The Boys, he and his younger brother, Clint, examine their childhoods in detail for the first time. For Ron, playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days offered fame, joy, and opportunity - but also invited stress and bullying. For Clint, a fast start on such programs as Gentle Ben and Star Trek petered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons.

With the perspective of time and success - Ron as a filmmaker, producer, and Hollywood A-lister, Clint as a busy character actor - the Howard brothers delve deep into an upbringing that seemed normal to them yet was anything but. Their Midwestern parents, Rance and Jean, moved to California to pursue their own showbiz dreams. But it was their young sons who found steady employment as actors. Rance put aside his ego and ambition to become Ron and Clint’s teacher, sage, and moral compass. Jean became their loving protector - sometimes over-protector - from the snares and traps of Hollywood.

By turns confessional, nostalgic, heartwarming, and harrowing, The Boys is a dual narrative that lifts the lid on the Howard brothers’ closely held lives. It’s the journey of a tight four-person family unit that held fast in an unforgiving business and of two brothers who survived “child-actor syndrome” to become fulfilled adults.

©2021 Ron Howard, Clint Howard (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

An Honest Story of an Honest "Showbiz" Family

Having not actually sought out this book I wasn't sure what to expect but had Audible credits so I tried it. I am so glad I did. So much so I also bought the print version as well. This is a story of an honest show business family that first off loved each other, worked together, had their trials but always, first and foremost, remain a family.

The narration by the authors, Ron and Clint Howard, make this book come alive. It is not by mere voice actors but the two real people who lived the lives. The story is organized, well written, well narrated. Understand this is a story of their family from the entertainment business side of their lives. An honest look into the private (often not so private) lives of a fine family, regardless if they were Hollywoodites or not.

Thank you Ron and Clint for sharing this wonderful account of your personal family story with the forever prying public. God Bless

The Boys excellent book by Ron and Clint.

This memoir by Ron and Clint was very well written and narrated a joy to listen to.

Loves it!

It's great to hear stories of what it was like to be in television in the early years of TV.

Wonderful story!

Great story by Ron and Clint! Takes you through there life as children into adulthood!

A wonderful story about a beautiful family.

I have grown up with Ron Howard watching him on television and followed his extensive directing credits and I was actually sad when this book ended. It felt like a lengthy dinner conversation with two men that had, what I consider, an ideal upbringing. I'm somewhat biased and admittedly jealous of their father's life lessons and his selfless sacrifice for his two boys. My father passed away when I was four, so I really enjoyed hearing about their different perspectives on their father and how both Ron and Clint cared for one another. Being an only child this book gave so much insight into a family that I absolutely would have love to have met and been neighbors with. This even made me tear up at the end when they recounted their father's final days. Highly recommend.

A great Hollywood family History.

Loved hearing Ron and Clint's recollections. Born around the same time, I grew up watching these boys. I didn't know they were brothers until I was an adult when I told someone, 'I always look for the part in a Ron Howard movie when the kid from Gentle Ben shows up'... What? Well of course they're brothers! Beloved childhood stars. Lucky stars having thoughtful conscientious parents who could guide them with what they know. Amazing family of entertainers with some great behind the scenes and personal life stories.

Wonderful!

Funny, emotional, and utterly engaging. What a privilege to hear the life story of two artists who've been in the entertainment world for decades. Thank you Clint and Ron! And especially thank you to Rance and Jean.

learned alot

beautiful family story, love clints story. both narrators did great job telling there story.

A Family Success Story in Hollywood

I really enjoyed listening to this biography. I have been a fan of Ron Howard and his brother Clint Howard since Andy Griffith days. It was very interesting to learn more about the workings of the Hollywood and movie world and the lives and backstory of the Howard's. It was narrated by the brothers, Ron and Clint, and it added so much to the story they were great! Well worth the audible credit.

Interesting, entertaining, and memorable

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was Was mostly light hearted interesting, and entertaining. Enjoyed every character from the boys parents to all of the other people who were a part of Ron and Clint lives. It was a joy to listen to and the topic was not too heavy. I loved it