Reed Cross Howard is an American golfer, golf instructor, and entrepreneur best known as the youngest child and only son of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and writer Cheryl Howard. Born on April 12, 1987, Reed grew up in a famous Hollywood family but chose a different career from his father and sisters. Instead of becoming a full-time actor or director, he pursued competitive golf, played at the college level, and developed an interest in golf instruction and training equipment. His background includes qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Championship, as documented in his University of South Carolina Beaufort athletics biography. Today, he is also known as a husband and father who maintains a quieter public profile than several members of his family.
Quick Bio: Reed Cross Howard
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Reed Cross Howard |
| Date of birth | April 12, 1987 |
| Age in 2026 | 39 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | Banksville, New York |
| Father | Ron Howard |
| Mother | Cheryl Howard |
| Siblings | Bryce Dallas, Paige Carlyle, and Jocelyn Carlyle Howard |
| Family position | Youngest child and only son |
| Profession | Golfer, golf instructor, entrepreneur |
| High school | Heritage Academy |
| Colleges | Pepperdine University; University of South Carolina Beaufort |
| College major | History at USCB |
| Wife | Ashley Howard |
| Marriage year | 2015 |
| Known child | Aspen Leigh Howard |
| Notable golf achievement | Qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship |
| Golf-related product | Steadhead training aid |
| Net worth | Not independently verified |
Who Is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard is a member of one of America’s most recognizable entertainment families.
His father, Ron Howard, became famous as a child actor before developing into a successful film director.
His mother, Cheryl Howard, is an author who has also made appearances in films directed by her husband.
Two of Reed’s sisters have pursued acting, while another has generally maintained a private life.
Reed, however, developed a serious interest in golf.
His career demonstrates that growing up in a Hollywood family does not necessarily mean following the same professional path.
Although Reed is frequently described as Ron Howard’s son, he has a documented sporting background of his own.
Why Is Reed Cross Howard Famous?
Reed is publicly recognized for two main reasons.
The first is his connection to Ron Howard and the wider Howard family.
The second is his involvement in competitive golf, teaching, and golf-related products.
His public profile is considerably smaller than his father’s, but his college athletics record provides clear evidence of his accomplishments.
Reed Cross Howard’s Early Life
Reed Cross Howard was born on April 12, 1987.
He is the youngest of four children born to Ron and Cheryl Howard.
His family lived in several places during his childhood, and his college golf biography identifies Banksville, New York, as his hometown.
Growing up, Reed was surrounded by people involved in acting, directing, and storytelling.
His father had already established a successful entertainment career before Reed was born.
However, Reed’s interests eventually led him toward sports.
What Was His Childhood Like?
Ron and Cheryl Howard have frequently discussed the importance of family life.
Despite the demands of Ron’s career, they raised four children and encouraged them to develop their own interests.
Reed’s childhood was not completely separate from Hollywood.
He grew up around film production and had opportunities to observe the entertainment industry.
Nevertheless, golf became his principal professional interest.
A Memorable Childhood Story
In a 2025 interview, Ron Howard recalled accidentally leaving young Reed at a Krispy Kreme shop during a large family road trip to Yosemite.
The family had been traveling in multiple vehicles, and confusion arose over which car Reed was riding in.
Ron later learned that his son was safe at the shop.
The director shared the incident as a memorable parenting experience, and the story offered an unusual glimpse into Reed’s childhood.
Reed Cross Howard’s Parents
Ron Howard: His Father
Ron Howard was born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma.
He first became famous for portraying Opie Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show.
He later played Richie Cunningham in Happy Days.
After becoming a director, Ron made films such as Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code, and Rush.
He won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for A Beautiful Mind.
His achievements established the Howard family as a recognizable name in Hollywood.
Cheryl Howard: His Mother
Cheryl Howard is an American writer and the longtime wife of Ron Howard.
The couple married on June 7, 1975.
Cheryl has written fiction and has appeared in cameo roles in several of her husband’s films.
She has also supported the family’s creative and personal activities throughout their marriage.
Ron has publicly described Cheryl as an important presence in his filmmaking career.
Reed Cross Howard’s Three Sisters
Reed grew up with three older sisters.
| Sister | Birth Date | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Dallas Howard | March 2, 1981 | Actress and director |
| Paige Carlyle Howard | February 5, 1985 | Actress and writer |
| Jocelyn Carlyle Howard | February 5, 1985 | Maintaining a largely private life |
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is the oldest Howard sibling.
She is best known for starring in the Jurassic World films, The Help, and The Village.
Bryce has also worked as a director, including directing episodes of The Mandalorian.
Her career follows the entertainment tradition established by her father.
Paige Howard
Paige Howard is one of Reed’s older twin sisters.
She has appeared in television and independent films.
Paige married actor and artist Tim Abou-Nasr in 2022.
Ron Howard officiated their wedding.
Jocelyn Howard
Jocelyn is Paige’s twin sister.
Unlike Bryce and Paige, she has generally avoided a high-profile entertainment career.
Her personal and professional activities are not widely documented.
Reed and Jocelyn therefore share a comparatively private public profile within the family.
Why Is His Middle Name Cross?
Reed’s full name has an interesting family connection.
Ron Howard has explained that his children’s middle names refer to places associated with their conception.
Bryce Dallas Howard’s middle name refers to Dallas, Texas.
Paige and Jocelyn share the middle name Carlyle, associated with New York’s Carlyle Hotel.
Reed’s middle name, Cross, refers to a road in London where his parents were living.
The naming tradition has been discussed in interviews and family profiles.
Reed Cross Howard’s Education
Reed attended Heritage Academy before pursuing higher education.
He later attended Pepperdine University.
His college golf record also identifies him as a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, commonly called USCB.
At USCB, his listed academic major was history.
These details are supported by the university’s official athletics record.
Why Did Reed Attend Different Colleges?
Reed’s public athletics biography identifies Pepperdine as his previous school.
He subsequently competed for USCB.
However, his personal reasons for transferring are not thoroughly documented.
It would be speculative to attribute the move to academic, family, or athletic circumstances without a direct statement.
Reed Cross Howard’s College Golf Career
Golf was more than a recreational hobby for Reed.
He competed at the collegiate level and participated in organized tournaments.
He was a member of USCB’s first men’s golf team during the 2007–08 academic year.
This placed him among the players who helped establish the university’s early competitive golf program.
His Recorded Golf Performance
USCB’s official record lists several tournaments from fall 2008.
| Tournament | Recorded Rounds | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| USC Aiken Invitational | 70, 73 | 143 |
| Webber International Tournament | 75, 72, 72 | 219 |
| Charleston Southern Fall Invitational | 81, 76, 79 | 236 |
| Wilmington Island Invitational | 70, 80, 73 | 223 |
| Reed Jones Intercollegiate | 73, 72, 81 | 226 |
| J. Lindeberg Sand Shark Classic | 76, 74 | 150 |
Across these tournaments, his university record reports:
-
16 competitive rounds
-
1,197 total strokes
-
A scoring average of 74.8
These figures show that Reed participated in serious collegiate competition rather than simply playing golf as a hobby.
Reed Cross Howard and the U.S. Amateur Championship
One of Reed’s most notable golf achievements was qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Championship.
His college biography records that he qualified for the championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina during the summer of 2008.
The U.S. Amateur is a prestigious competition organized by the United States Golf Association.
It attracts highly skilled amateur players from across the country and internationally.
Qualifying requires strong competitive performance.
Why Was This Achievement Important?
The U.S. Amateur has a long history and has featured players who later became prominent professional golfers.
Reaching the championship through qualification is an accomplishment.
However, qualifying for the event does not mean winning it.
There is no reliable evidence that Reed won the U.S. Amateur Championship.
His documented achievement was earning a place in the tournament.
Did Reed Cross Howard Become a Professional Golfer?
Reed continued pursuing golf after his college years.
He has been described in entertainment and sports profiles as a professional golfer who competed in smaller tournaments and developed an interest in teaching.
His work has also included creating golf-related instructional content.
However, it is important to distinguish between professional involvement in golf and membership on a major competitive tour.
There is no reliable evidence that Reed has established a long-running career on the PGA Tour.
Is Reed Cross Howard on the PGA Tour?
Reed is not widely documented as a current PGA Tour competitor.
His best-established competitive achievements come from his amateur and college golf years.
He has remained connected to golf through instruction, training, and related business activities.
Reed Cross Howard’s Golf Training Business
Reed has also been associated with a golf training aid called Steadhead.
The product is designed to help golfers work on head stability and body movement during their swings.
Training aids are commonly used by golfers who want to practice specific technical movements.
What Is Steadhead?
Steadhead is a golf practice tool associated with Reed’s instructional work.
Its purpose is to provide feedback during swing practice, particularly around unwanted head movement.
Golfers often use training equipment alongside lessons and regular practice.
However, a training aid should not be treated as a guaranteed way to improve performance.
Results depend on individual technique, instruction, and practice.
Why Did Reed Develop a Golf Product?
Reed’s experience as a competitive golfer gave him familiarity with common swing challenges.
His later interest in instruction and equipment reflects a move from competing toward helping other players develop their skills.
The Steadhead project is one example of his professional activity outside Hollywood.
Reed Cross Howard’s Wife: Ashley Howard
Reed Cross Howard is married to Ashley Howard, who has also been identified in published biographies as Ashley Gioffre.
The couple married in 2015.
Unlike Reed’s parents, whose marriage is frequently discussed in Hollywood interviews, Reed and Ashley have generally maintained a more private relationship.
Their marriage is documented in established family profiles, including reporting by People.
When Did Reed and Ashley Get Married?
Published accounts place their wedding in August 2015.
The couple have not made every detail of their wedding or relationship history part of the public record.
What Does Ashley Howard Do?
Ashley’s professional background is not extensively documented in major entertainment sources.
Some websites make claims about her career without providing dependable records.
Her present occupation should therefore not be stated as fact without reliable confirmation.
Reed Cross Howard’s Children
Reed and Ashley have a daughter named Aspen Leigh Howard.
She was born in 2019, according to published family biographies.
Aspen is one of Ron and Cheryl Howard’s grandchildren.
Reed has shared occasional family moments publicly, but he does not maintain the same level of celebrity exposure as his father and older sister Bryce.
Is Aspen Reed’s Only Child?
Aspen is the child most consistently identified in established family profiles.
Some later online reports refer to an additional child, but the details are not consistently documented.
It is therefore safest to describe Aspen as his publicly confirmed daughter rather than make a definitive claim about the total number of children.
Did Reed Cross Howard Ever Act?
Although Reed chose golf as his main career, he has a minor television connection.
He appeared in an episode of Arrested Development in 2018.
His father served as the narrator and an executive producer of the series.
The appearance was a small part of Reed’s public career rather than the beginning of a major acting career.
Why Didn’t Reed Follow His Father Into Hollywood?
Reed has not offered a widely documented explanation establishing one particular reason.
His educational and professional history shows that golf became a serious interest.
Growing up in a filmmaking family may have provided opportunities to enter entertainment, but his recorded career followed a different direction.
It would be inaccurate to claim that he rejected Hollywood because of a family disagreement or other unverified reason.
Reed Cross Howard’s Relationship With Ron Howard
Reed and Ron have appeared together in family photographs and social media posts.
Ron has also spoken publicly about his children and the satisfaction he experiences when they achieve something independently.
In interviews, he has emphasized how meaningful it is to see his children succeed in their own pursuits.
Reed’s golf career is one example of a Howard family member choosing a profession outside the film industry.
What Does Ron Howard Think About His Children’s Careers?
Ron has discussed the importance of allowing his children to develop their own identities.
His children have followed different paths.
Bryce became an actress and director.
Paige pursued acting and writing.
Jocelyn largely stayed away from entertainment publicity.
Reed concentrated on golf.
These different careers demonstrate the range of interests within the family.
Reed Cross Howard’s Net Worth
Reed Cross Howard’s exact net worth has not been independently verified.
Several celebrity biography websites publish estimates of approximately $5 million.
However, those figures are not supported by publicly available financial statements.
His golf-related activities may involve instruction, business revenue, or other professional income, but exact amounts are private.
Is Reed Cross Howard as Wealthy as Ron Howard?
Ron Howard has enjoyed a long and commercially successful entertainment career.
Reed’s professional work is substantially different.
However, the financial success of a parent does not establish a child’s personal net worth.
It would be misleading to assume that Reed personally owns a particular share of his father’s wealth.
Where Does Reed Cross Howard Live in 2026?
Reed’s college athletics biography identifies Banksville, New York, as his hometown.
He has also been connected with different locations through his education and golf activities.
However, his exact current residence in October 2026 has not been independently confirmed.
Because he maintains a comparatively private lifestyle, detailed information about his household is limited.
Reed Cross Howard’s Life Timeline
| Year | Important Event |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Born on April 12 |
| Childhood | Grew up as Ron and Cheryl Howard’s youngest child |
| School years | Attended Heritage Academy |
| College years | Attended Pepperdine University |
| 2007–08 | Joined USCB’s first men’s golf team |
| 2008 | Qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship |
| 2008 | Recorded a 74.8 scoring average across 16 fall rounds |
| 2015 | Married Ashley Howard |
| 2018 | Made a brief appearance in Arrested Development |
| 2019 | Welcomed daughter Aspen Leigh |
| 2020s | Continued involvement in golf instruction and training equipment |
| 2026 | Turned 39 years old |
What Makes Reed Cross Howard Different From His Family?
Reed’s background is unusual because several members of his family work in entertainment.
His father is a director and former actor.
His mother is a writer.
His sisters Bryce and Paige have pursued acting.
Reed’s principal professional interests, however, developed around athletics.
That difference does not make his career less meaningful.
Golf requires technical ability, physical coordination, patience, and sustained practice.
His documented college results show a commitment to competition.
His later instructional and entrepreneurial activities also reflect an interest in remaining involved with the sport.
Common Misconceptions About Reed Cross Howard
| Common Claim | What Is Supported |
|---|---|
| Reed is an actor like his father | Golf is his main professional field |
| He is Ron Howard’s oldest child | He is the youngest |
| He has no siblings | He has three older sisters |
| He won the U.S. Amateur | He qualified for the championship |
| He is a famous PGA Tour champion | No such major-tour achievement is documented |
| He never appeared on television | He made a brief appearance in Arrested Development |
| His wife is Bryce Dallas Howard | Bryce is his sister; Ashley is his wife |
| His net worth is definitely $5 million | That figure is unverified |
| His middle name is random | It is connected with a road in London |
Final Thoughts
Reed Cross Howard is best known as the only son of Ron and Cheryl Howard, but his life has followed a different direction from the family’s Hollywood tradition.
Born in 1987, Reed developed an interest in golf and competed at the college level.
His official athletics record documents tournament performances, a 74.8 scoring average, and qualification for the U.S. Amateur Championship.
He later became involved in golf instruction and training equipment, including the Steadhead product.
Away from his professional activities, Reed is married to Ashley Howard and is a father.
Although his family name is internationally recognized, Reed has maintained a relatively private public identity.
His story shows how someone raised in a famous entertainment family can build an independent career through a completely different passion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reed Cross Howard
1. Who is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard is an American golfer and golf instructor best known as the youngest child and only son of filmmaker Ron Howard.
2. How old is Reed Cross Howard in 2026?
He is 39 years old. He was born on April 12, 1987.
3. Who are Reed Cross Howard’s parents?
His parents are Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard.
4. Is Reed Cross Howard Ron Howard’s only son?
Yes. Reed is Ron and Cheryl Howard’s only son and youngest child.
5. Who are Reed Cross Howard’s sisters?
His sisters are Bryce Dallas Howard, Paige Carlyle Howard, and Jocelyn Carlyle Howard.
6. What does Reed Cross Howard do for a living?
He is associated with golf, including competitive playing, instruction, and golf-related training equipment.
7. Was Reed Cross Howard a professional golfer?
He has been described as a professional golfer, although his most thoroughly documented competitive results are from his amateur and college years.
8. Where did Reed Cross Howard attend college?
He attended Pepperdine University and later played golf at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.
9. Did Reed Cross Howard qualify for the U.S. Amateur?
Yes. His official college athletics biography confirms that he qualified for the 2008 championship at Pinehurst.
10. Who is Reed Cross Howard’s wife?
He is married to Ashley Howard, also identified as Ashley Gioffre.
11. When did Reed Cross Howard get married?
He married Ashley in 2015.
12. Does Reed Cross Howard have children?
Yes. His publicly documented daughter is Aspen Leigh Howard.
13. Has Reed Cross Howard appeared in a television show?
Yes. He made a brief appearance in Arrested Development in 2018.
14. What is Reed Cross Howard’s net worth?
His exact personal net worth is not independently verified.
15. Where is Reed Cross Howard now?
As of 2026, Reed remains publicly associated with golf and family life. His precise current residence and daily activities are not widely documented.
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