Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Taking Dad’s lessons in her own direction
Actor-director pays homage to fathers, including her own, with latest project
RON Howard isn’t just an Oscar-winning director. He’s father of this year and all others to his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, who is following in Pop’s footsteps as an actor-director and has his penchant for getting to the heart of the matter.
Here’s a good one for Father’s Day: “One day, not long ago, I asked my father, ‘Dad, was I ever tough to parent for you?’ ” she says in a Zoom interview.
“He replied, ‘Not really. You always made a lot of sense to me,’ ” she adds with a laugh. “It was just a perfect father-daughter moment.”
Howard wasn’t just asking for herself. She has become quite an expert on fatherhood thanks to her new, critically acclaimed documentary, “Dads,” which is streaming now on Apple TV+.
The 80-minute family-friendly film includes tips from famous father figures including Will Smith, Judd Apatow, Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong and Jimmy Kimmel. You’d have to be made out of rock not to shed a few tears when the regular fathers from all walks of life talk about their kids — challenges and all. with my husband that fathering is something that happens without a lot of fanfare.
What has been your father’s most powerful lesson to you?
My dad is just a wonderful example as a person, and that is the lesson. He also empowers those around him. Deep down, my dad has a really tender, beautiful heart. That’s another great lesson: Keep your heart open.
Does your dad give you tips about the film business?
Not really. Even when I ask him for advice, my dad so readily dismisses his own words of wisdom and says, “You don’t need that advice. You know what to do! This will be easy for you.” My father thinks highly of the people he loves.
Do you have one of those “Oh, Dad” moments when he’s being a bit overprotective?
He hates the idea that something
could hurt his kid’s feelings. I’m like, “Dad, I’m 39! I think you would know that I’ve been knocked off the pedestal by life a few times now. And I’m OK!” But he still worries. He’s a dad.
Finally, please give us some “Jurassic World: Dominion” scoop. You and Chris Pratt are filming with the OG dino busters Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum.
Can you believe that cast! Could there be any more anticipation? I can’t wait to film with everyone, which hasn’t happened yet. But soon, we’ll be back on set. I can say that we’ve done certain scenes with just part of the group, and it was thrilling. Oh, and one more thing … the dinosaurs are back, too!