Ron Howard

Is he a better director than he was an actor?

No.

I suppose a good test here is: dig into your memory, and how many movies of his bubble up as director or actor. As an actor? American Graffiti, a few westerns. As director? Frost/Nixon, Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Backdraft, Parenthood, Willow, Cocoon, Splash, Night Shift ... and that's just a fraction. He always seems to do thoughtful and credible work.

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Scarecrow: I haven't got a brain ... only straw. Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain? Scarecrow: I don't know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they? Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.

Definitely a better director. Far and Away is my favorite Ron Howard movie.

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A far better director, but a better actor than many have given him credit for