Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard, born on March 2, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, is an accomplished American actress and director. She is the daughter of renowned filmmaker Ron Howard and writer Cheryl Howard. Howard pursued her education at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, where she began her acting journey. Although she initially left NYU in 2002 to pursue roles on Broadway, she eventually graduated in 2020, showcasing her dedication to both her education and her craft.


One of Howard's breakout roles came in 2003 when she portrayed Rosalind in a production of "As You Like It," catching the attention of director M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan cast her as a blind girl in his thriller "The Village" (2004), marking the beginning of their collaboration. Howard later secured the starring role of a naiad in Shyamalan's fantasy film "Lady in the Water" (2006).


Her performance in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of "As You Like It" (2006) earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. Howard continued to gain recognition with roles such as Gwen Stacy in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 3" (2007), Kate Connor in "Terminator Salvation" (2009), and Victoria in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" (2010). These diverse roles showcased her versatility as an actress and contributed to her rising prominence in the industry.


However, Howard's stardom reached new heights with her portrayal of Claire Dearing in the highly successful "Jurassic World" trilogy (2015–2022). She also impressed audiences with her performance as a forest ranger in the adventure film "Pete's Dragon" (2016) and as Sheila Dwight, Elton John's mother, in the biopic "Rocketman" (2019). Additionally, she lent her voice to the character Yaddle in an episode of "Tales of the Jedi" (2022).


In addition to her acting career, Howard has ventured into directing, helming the documentary "Dads" (2019) and directing episodes of the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" (2019–present) and "The Book of Boba Fett" (2022). She is married to actor Seth Gabel, with whom she shares two children. Howard's multifaceted talents and dedication to her craft continue to solidify her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Bryce Dallas Howard, born on March 2, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, is the daughter of writer Cheryl Howard (née Alley) and actor-director Ron Howard. She grew up alongside her two younger sisters, twins Jocelyn and Paige, and a younger brother named Reed. Howard comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry; her grandfather is actor Rance Howard, her grandmother is actress Jean Speegle Howard, and her uncle is actor Clint Howard. Additionally, her godfather is actor Henry Winkler, who famously co-starred with her father in the television series "Happy Days."


Despite her family's ties to show business, Howard and her siblings were raised away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Their parents limited their access to television and instead encouraged outdoor activities and hobbies. Howard began dipping her toes into acting at a young age, being allowed to be an extra in her father's films when she was just seven years old. She even shared in an interview that family friend Tom Cruise babysat her and her siblings on several occasions.


Her formal training as an actor began at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts camp in upstate New York, where she attended alongside fellow actress Natalie Portman. She continued her education at Greenwich Country Day School and later graduated from Byram Hills High School in 1999. Following high school, she pursued her passion for acting at New York University's (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts, studying at prestigious institutions such as the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Experimental Theatre Wing. Although she took a leave of absence from NYU to pursue acting opportunities, she returned nearly 20 years later to complete her degree in 2020.


Howard's commitment to her craft led her to further training at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's School in Chicago and The Actors Center in New York City. During her time in New York, she was also involved with Theater Mitu, a company known for its innovative theatrical exploration, which was in residence at New York Theatre Workshop. Howard's diverse training and dedication to her education have undoubtedly contributed to her success as a versatile actress in the entertainment industry.

Bryce Dallas Howard's early career included notable appearances in various New York City theatrical productions. In 2002, she took part in Alan Ayckbourn's production "House & Garden" at the Manhattan Theatre Club. She also appeared in a theatrical comedy, "Tartuffe," staged at the American Airlines Theatre. However, it was her portrayal of Rosalind in William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at The Public Theater in 2003 that truly caught the attention of film director M. Night Shyamalan.


Just two weeks after her performance as Rosalind, Shyamalan cast Howard in his fantasy thriller "The Village" (2004). In the film, Howard played Ivy, the blind daughter of the village chief, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film was commercially successful, and Howard's performance garnered significant praise, earning her nominations for several awards.


Following her success in "The Village," Lars von Trier cast Howard in "Manderlay" (2005), the sequel to "Dogville" (2003), replacing Nicole Kidman in the role of Grace Mulligan. The film explored themes of idealism and racial injustice as Mulligan attempts to assist a revolt against slave owners. Despite mixed reviews, Howard's performance was recognized for its depth and complexity.


In 2006, Howard reunited with Shyamalan for "Lady in the Water," a fantasy drama where she portrayed Story, a naiad-like being from a bedtime story. Despite underperforming at the box office and facing critical backlash, Howard's performance was praised for its ethereal quality.
That same year, Howard again portrayed Rosalind in Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Shakespeare's "As You Like It," receiving a Golden Globe Award nomination for her role. Additionally, she ventured into directing with the short film "Orchids," part of Glamour magazine's "Reel Moments" series.
These early experiences in both theater and film helped establish Bryce Dallas Howard as a versatile and talented actress in the industry.

References

1.  "Bryce Dallas Howard Biography (1981–)". Biography.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
2. ^ "Biography". Cheryl Howard Crew official website. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
3. a b Wieselman, Jarett (August 11, 2016). "It's All For the Memoir". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018.
4. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (August 2004). "A Boo-tiful Find: The Village's Bryce Howard". Spin. Los Angeles, California: SpinMedia. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
5. a b c Davis, Peter (January 26, 2006). "Too Good To Be True". Paper. Paper Publishing Company. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
6. ^ Dicker, Ron (December 20, 2009). "Actress Bryce Howard Wild About Greenwich". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut: Tronc. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
7. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (January 27, 2017). "Bryce Dallas Howard's Babysitter Was More Famous (and Fun) Than Yours". Bravo. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017.