The Boys
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4.3 • 244 Ratings
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- $22.99
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
AN AUDIOFILES BEST AUDIOBOOK OF 2021
WINNER OF AN AUDIOFILES 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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
We can’t think of another celebrity memoir that’s made us feel quite this good. While most child actors have some pretty gnarly stories to tell, the Howard brothers’ childhood was built on their strong, loving relationship with their parents that kept them grounded, supported, and protected at every step of the way. Before Ron and Clint Howard became a renowned director and a beloved character actor, they were both famous as kids—Ron on the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show and Clint on the series Gentle Ben. In their audiobook, the pair trade back and forth, taking turns reading their own anecdotes and offering refreshingly well-adjusted perspectives on their lives, careers, and famous family. The siblings’ stories include everything from Ron’s formative experiences with George Lucas on American Graffiti to Clint’s youthful struggles with substance abuse. Both brothers’ skills as performers really shine—and we loved the special introduction read by Ron’s daughter, actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard. If you’re ready for a wholesome Hollywood story, don’t miss The Boys.
Customer Reviews
WHAT A LIFE!
I grew up in the 70’s & 80’s. I remember watching re-runs of Ron and Clint’s shows and their guest rolls, brought back some great memories (I watched a lot of TV). I listened to the audio book and listening to their family stories, Hollywood careers and the back scene stories. I highly recommend their audio book. Thanks for sharing Ron and Clint.
Boring.
Wholesome and great if you’re 75-85 yrs old and like slapstick humor that needs to be explained like your faculties don’t work any more. I can’t listen any more and I’m only on Chapter 5
Child actors shine in a new light
Superb story of two brothers who made it in show business due to their parents supreme efforts to give them an edge in this profession. Child actors are viewed in a new light after reading Ron and Clint’s story of how they got into acting and then transitioned into directing and producing. Entertaining and heart warming.