Ron Howard wore disguises to avoid 'Happy Days' fans: 'I had to lay low'

Ron Howard wore disguises to avoid 'Happy Days' fans: 'I had to lay low' Ron Howard revealed that the immense popularity of 'Happy Days' forced him to wear disguises to avoid being recognized in public. He described how he ditched his wholesome character's look for a more 'tough' outfit, which ultimately pushed him to pursue a career behind the camera. Ron Howard revealed at the 2026 Hamptons International Film Festival that he wore disguises in public to avoid being recognized by fans when 'Happy Days' was at the height of its popularity. (Howard is pictured above at the film festival earlier this month. ) 'It did get to the point, the show was so popular that - it sounds a little ridiculous, but you'd sort of have to wear little disguises and things. If you wanted to go to a mall, or go to Disneyland, or go out to the movies even, you had to lay low,' Howard said. (He is seen above as Richie Cunningham in 'Happy Days.Ron Howard Disguises to Avoid Fans') Howard (pictured above as Richie Cunningham in 'Happy Days') had to ditch his character's wholesome look, varsity jacket and all, for an outfit more akin to Henry Winkler's character, Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli. 'I had kind of a leather jacket that was tough - not a 'Fonzie' leather jacket, but this '50s motorcycle cop kind of thing. ... I tried to look tough,' Howard said.(He is seen above as Richie Cunningham alongside Winkler as Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli in 'Happy Days.Disguises Pushed Howard Behind Camera') Howard said having to disguise himself to evade fans was one of the things that 'pushed to want to get behind the camera. ' (Howard is pictured above with Winkler in 'Happy Days. ')