Thriving Outside The Spotlight: Reed Cross Howard Story

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be the only son of a Hollywood legend, yet choose a completely different path? It is a fascinating tightrope to walk. One one hand, you have access to a world of privilege and opportunity. On the other, the pressure to follow in those famous footsteps must be immense. For Reed Cross Howard, the youngest child of iconic director Ron Howard, this was his reality.

Instead of chasing Oscars, Reed decided to chase birdies and pars. He is a professional golfer, a husband, a father, and a businessman. He has managed to build a life that is completely his own, even though his last name is one of the most recognizable in show business.

In this article, we are going to take a deep dive into the life of Reed Cross Howard. We will look at his unique childhood, his decision to reject acting for athletics, his career on the green, and his life as a family man. You will find out how this celebrity child created a quiet, impressive empire far away from the red carpet.

The Man Behind the Golf Swing

Before we look at his career, let us get to know the man himself. Unlike his sisters who grace magazine covers, Reed prefers to keep a relatively low profile. However, we do have some solid details about who he is.

Reed Cross Howard was born on April 12, 1987 . If you are an astrology fan, that makes him an Aries. He was born in Los Angeles, California, but he grew up in a more suburban setting .

Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, he has the athletic build you would expect from a golfer . He has the signature Howard family trait: red hair. In fact, if you look at photos of him next to his father, the resemblance is striking. He is often described as having a calm and focused demeanor, which certainly helps when you are trying to sink a thirty foot putt.

A Childhood in the Howard Dynasty

To understand Reed Cross Howard, you have to understand the family he was born into. His father, Ron Howard, is a legend. He started as a child actor on The Andy Griffith Show and became a household name as Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. He then transitioned into one of Hollywood’s most respected directors, winning Oscars for A Beautiful Mind .

His mother, Cheryl Howard, is an actress and writer . So, creativity is in his blood. But here is where things get interesting for Reed. He has three older sisters: Bryce Dallas Howard (the famous actress), and twins Jocelyn and Paige Howard .

The Unique Naming Tradition

One of the most unique facts about the Howard children involves their names. Ron and Cheryl named each child after the location where they were conceived. Seriously.

• Bryce Dallas was conceived in Dallas, Texas.

• The twins Jocelyn Carlyle and Paige Carlyle were conceived at the Hotel Carlyle in New York.

• Reed Cross was named after a specific road crossing.

Ron Howard once joked that he chose the name “Cross” because he did not want to call his son “Back of the Volvo” . It is a quirky Hollywood story, but it shows the fun, loving nature of the family.

A Sheltered Upbringing

You might think growing up as a Howard meant non stop parties and paparazzi. But actually, Ron and Cheryl worked hard to keep their kids grounded. They moved the family to a more rural area in Connecticut to escape the Hollywood bubble .

Reed and his sisters were “sheltered” from the entertainment industry. Even though they visited film sets, their parents prioritized normalcy. Reed has spoken (rarely) about how his parents wanted him to have a real childhood, which likely played a huge role in him choosing a normal career over a crazy acting life.

Choosing Golf Over Acting

Here is where Reed Cross Howard diverges from the family script. While his sister Bryce was starring in The Village and Spider Man 3, Reed was hitting the driving range.

He realized early on that he did not want to be an actor. The spotlight didn’t scare him, but it didn’t excite him either. Instead, he fell in love with the game of golf.

The Amateur Years

Reed attended Heritage Academy and then went on to play golf at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) . He was on the golf team from 2007 to 2008. This was a critical time for him because he moved from being “Ron Howard’s son” to “that really good golfer.”

He had the discipline to compete at a high level. One of his early career highlights was competing in the US Amateur Championship at the famous Pinehurst Course in North Carolina . That is no small feat. Amateur golf is brutal, and to qualify for that event shows he had real talent.

He later transferred to Pepperdine University to refine his skills further . He wasn’t just playing for fun; he was training to be a professional.

The Professional Career

So, what does Reed Cross Howard do for a living? He is a professional golfer. However, you might not see him on the PGA Tour every weekend. Like many athletes, his career has taken a multimedia approach.

He uses YouTube and Instagram to share his techniques. He focuses on training aids, specifically something called the “Steadhead” training aid. This device helps amateur golfers with hand eye coordination and accuracy .

He essentially built a business out of his hobby. Instead of just playing in tournaments, he teaches others how to improve. It is a smart move. It keeps him in the game he loves without the grueling travel schedule of a tour pro.

A Brief Acting Detour

Despite his insistence that he is not an actor, Reed Cross Howard actually does have one IMDB credit. He made a cameo appearance in the cult classic TV show Arrested Development in 2018.

The episode is titled “Emotional Baggage.” He appeared alongside his father and sister Bryce . It was clearly a family affair rather than a career pivot. It seems he did it as a favor to his dad or just for a bit of fun.

If you watch the episode, you will see he has the natural charisma of the Howards, but it is obvious his heart is on the golf course, not the soundstage.

Life, Love, and Fatherhood

Away from the fairways, Reed Cross Howard has built a beautiful family. He married his wife, Ashley Gioffre, on August 11, 2015 . They had a private ceremony in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut. It was so private that most fans only found out about it because Ron Howard posted about it on Facebook.

Ashley is not a public figure. She stays out of the tabloids, which fits perfectly with Reed’s low key lifestyle. They seem to be a very stable, loving couple.

Becoming a Dad

In April 2019, Reed and Ashley welcomed a daughter, Aspen Leigh Howard . This was a huge moment for the family. Ron Howard became a grandfather, and he celebrated his son becoming a father in a very touching way.

On Father’s Day 2019, Ron posted a picture of Reed bottle feeding little Aspen. He captioned it, “Happy 1st #FathersDay @reedchoward Good job, son. I’m a proud #Dad and #Grandad today and every day” .

Reed has called fatherhood a “life changing experience.” He says he wants his daughter to be happy and to learn the values of honesty and hard work.

Featured in “Dads”

One of the more public moments for Reed Cross Howard came in 2019 when he appeared in the Apple TV+ documentary Dads. The documentary was directed by his sister, Bryce Dallas Howard.

The film focuses on the changing role of fatherhood in modern America. Reed was featured as a soon to be father. In the documentary, you see him preparing for the birth of Aspen. He talks about his fears and hopes as a dad.

Interestingly, Reed was initially hesitant to be in the film. He felt like his story wasn’t “special” enough compared to the other fathers in the doc who had faced serious adversity . But ultimately, he did it for his sister. His segment is raw and real, showing that even someone from a famous family gets nervous about being a parent.

Quick Facts at a Glance

To help you remember the key details, here is a simple breakdown of Reed Cross Howard’s profile:

• Full Name: Reed Cross Howard

• Born: April 12, 1987 (Age 38)

• Parents: Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard

• Siblings: Bryce Dallas Howard, Paige Howard, Jocelyn Howard

• Spouse: Ashley Gioffre (m. 2015)

• Children: Aspen Leigh Howard

• Profession: Professional Golfer / Entrepreneur

• Net Worth: Approximately $5 million

Source: 

The $5 Million Question: Net Worth

Speaking of money, you might be wondering how much he is worth. According to various biographical sources, Reed Cross Howard has an estimated net worth of $5 million .

This wealth comes from several places. Unlike his father who makes millions per movie, Reed’s money is earned through golf winnings, endorsements, and his online training business. He sells training aids and likely has sponsorships related to his golf channel.

He lives a comfortable life in New York, but he doesn’t flaunt wealth. He drives a car, he plays golf, he hangs out with his wife and kid. It is the American dream, just lived quietly.

What Can We Learn from Reed?

Why does the story of Reed Cross Howard matter to you? I think it is a great lesson in autonomy.

We often assume that celebrity kids have it easy. We assume they just slide into the family business. But Reed proves that you can have a famous name and still carve your own path. He faced a fork in the road: take the easy route into a movie career or chase the difficult dream of pro golf.

He chose the hard road. He chose passion over convenience. You do not have to be what your family expects you to be. Whether he is using a steadhead trainer on YouTube or playing a round at a local club, he is doing it on his terms.

It is also refreshing to see a famous family that seems genuinely supportive. Ron Howard didn’t force his son to act. He showed up to his golf matches. He posted about his son’s achievements online. That level of support is why Reed is successful today.

Conclusion

In a city full of wannabes, Reed Cross Howard is the real deal. He is a professional golfer, a dedicated father, and a loving husband. He has taken the Howard name and put his own unique spin on it, trading the director’s chair for a golf cart.

He may have been born on the sidelines of Hollywood, but he never let that define him. He went out and defined himself. Whether you are a golf fan or just someone looking for an inspiring story of independence, Reed’s journey is worth paying attention to.

So, what do you think? Could you walk away from a “sure thing” like Hollywood to chase a passion like golf? Let me know in the comments, or share this article with a friend who loves golf or pop culture!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard is an American professional golfer and entrepreneur. He is best known as the only son of legendary film director Ron Howard and actress Cheryl Howard .

2. What does Ron Howard’s son do for a living?
Unlike his father and sisters, Reed Cross Howard is not an actor. He is a professional golfer who runs a YouTube channel and sells golf training aids to help amateur players improve their swing and hand eye coordination .

3. Is Reed Cross Howard married?
Yes, he is married to Ashley Gioffre. The couple tied the knot on August 11, 2015, in a private ceremony in Connecticut .

4. Does Reed Cross Howard have children?
Yes, Reed Cross Howard has one daughter. Her name is Aspen Leigh Howard, and she was born in April 2019 .

5. What is the net worth of Reed Cross Howard?
While estimates vary, most sources place the net worth of Reed Cross Howard at approximately $5 million, primarily earned through his golf career and business ventures .

6. Why is he named Reed “Cross” Howard?
The Howard children have unique middle names based on where they were conceived. Ron Howard named his son “Cross” after a road crossing, hilariously noting he didn’t want to name him “Back of the Volvo” .

7. Has he ever acted in a movie?
Reed Cross Howard made a rare acting appearance in 2018 on the TV show Arrested Development in the episode “Emotional Baggage.” It was a cameo alongside his family .

8. How tall is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall .