Ron Howard Signed On to Avoid Going to Vietnam
Ron Howard wasn’t interested in filming another series. He had recently enrolled at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts with the dream of becoming a director. However, there was a slight problem standing in his way. Howard had a low draft number, which meant he was almost guaranteed to be drafted.
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler of ‘Happy Days’ – 1979. Photo by Frank Edwards/Shutterstock
Although Uncle Sam was no longer allowing students to defer the draft, Howard could get a deferment if his job was directly related to the employment of 30 or more people. So Howard signed on to film the pilot in ’71 as Richie Cunningham. While the pilot never sold, Howard was off the hook since President Nixon ended the draft shortly after filming ended.