It soon became clear that Howard not only enjoyed acting but also had a natural gift for it. His talent shone through in the 1962 hit *The Music Man*, and he further solidified his star power with a role in the 1973 classic *American Graffiti*, sharing the screen with Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss.
In 1974, Howard took on the role of Richie Cunningham in *Happy Days*, a sitcom created by Garry Marshall that became a television sensation. Running from 1974 to 1984, the show was a cultural landmark, and its success led to spin-offs like *Laverne & Shirley* and *Mork & Mindy*, which launched Robin Williams’ career.
While his professional life was soaring, Howard’s personal life was also blossoming. In 1970, he met Cheryl Alley, his high school sweetheart. They married in 1975, and their bond has only grown stronger over the years. Howard has spoken fondly about their relationship, telling *People* magazine, “From the moment I met Cheryl, I knew she was the one. She’s been my biggest supporter from day one.”
To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Howard shared a nostalgic post on Instagram, looking back on their first date on November 1, 1970. They watched *It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World* and grabbed pizza afterward. To mark the milestone, the couple took a sentimental drive in the same 1970 Volkswagen Bug Howard had used on that first date.
Cheryl, who earned a master’s degree in screenwriting, has appeared in several of Howard’s films. She also had a cameo in the comedy series *Arrested Development*, which Howard produced and narrated. Howard affectionately refers to Cheryl as his “good luck charm” and makes sure she appears, however briefly, in every film he directs.
