Rance Howard (born Harold Rance Beckenholdt on November 17, 1928 in Oklahoma) is an American actor who has starred in film and on television. He has made appearances in over 100 films.
He married Jean Speegle Howard (b. January 31, 1927 in Duncan, Oklahoma -d. September 2, 2000 in Burbank, California) in 1949. Their children are actor/director Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard. He is also the grandfather of actress Bryce Dallas Howard.
Howard has acted in over 100 films, including his first film in 1956 called Frontier Woman, the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke, The Music Man (in an uncredited bit-part playing "Oscar Jackson"), and many other films. He often takes parts as a priest or reverend. He has made numerous appearances in films by Joe Dante.