Listen free for 30 days
-
The Boys
- A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
- Narrated by: Ron Howard, Clint Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $31.46
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
An AudioFile Best Audiobook of 2021
Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award: "This audiobook is simply a delight...a must-listen."
“This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Ron’s and Clint’s early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topics - how an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! The Boys will surprise every reader with its humanity.” (Tom Hanks)
"I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. But The Boys stands alone. A delightful, warm, and fascinating story of a good life in show business.” (Malcolm Gladwell)
Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben - these shows captivated millions of TV viewers in the ’60s and ’70s. Join award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.
“What was it like to grow up on TV?” Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life. in The Boys, he and his younger brother, Clint, examine their childhoods in detail for the first time. For Ron, playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days offered fame, joy, and opportunity - but also invited stress and bullying. For Clint, a fast start on such programs as Gentle Ben and Star Trek petered out in adolescence, with some tough consequences and lessons.
With the perspective of time and success - Ron as a filmmaker, producer, and Hollywood A-lister, Clint as a busy character actor - the Howard brothers delve deep into an upbringing that seemed normal to them yet was anything but. Their Midwestern parents, Rance and Jean, moved to California to pursue their own showbiz dreams. But it was their young sons who found steady employment as actors. Rance put aside his ego and ambition to become Ron and Clint’s teacher, sage, and moral compass. Jean became their loving protector - sometimes over-protector - from the snares and traps of Hollywood.
By turns confessional, nostalgic, heartwarming, and harrowing, The Boys is a dual narrative that lifts the lid on the Howard brothers’ closely held lives. It’s the journey of a tight four-person family unit that held fast in an unforgiving business and of two brothers who survived “child-actor syndrome” to become fulfilled adults.
You may also enjoy...
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- Written by: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
His hardship in getting parts
- By Lynn H. on 2024-01-08
Written by: Henry Winkler
-
Bits and Pieces
- My Mother, My Brother, and Me
- Written by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time.
-
-
Loved her excitement, her laughter
- By Rosa Palmieri on 2024-11-10
Written by: Whoopi Goldberg
-
My Mother Was Nuts
- A Memoir
- Written by: Penny Marshall
- Narrated by: Penny Marshall
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
her life story going her humble roots in the Bronx to one of the most liked and respected figures in the entertainment business, also covering her marriage to Rob Reiner and relationships with Art Garfunkel, Carrie Fisher, and John Belushi, and her bout with lung and brain cancer in 2009, to Julia Cheiffetz
-
-
penny marshall
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-08-06
Written by: Penny Marshall
-
Vanderbilt
- The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
- Written by: Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe
- Narrated by: Anderson Cooper
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times best-selling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty - his mother’s family, the Vanderbilts.
-
-
A wonderful book !!
- By Louise P. on 2022-01-18
Written by: Anderson Cooper, and others
-
My Happy Days in Hollywood
- A Memoir
- Written by: Garry Marshall
- Narrated by: Garry Marshall
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With the television hits The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy, and movies like The Flamingo Kid, Beaches, Pretty Woman, and The Princess Diaries under his belt, Garry Marshall was among the most successful writers, directors, and producers in America for more than five decades. His work on the small and big screen delighted audiences for decades and has withstood the test of time.
-
-
More than I Expected
- By beefcakes13 on 2019-10-07
Written by: Garry Marshall
-
My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business
- A Memoir
- Written by: Dick Van Dyke
- Narrated by: Dick Van Dyke
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dick Van Dyke, indisputably one of the greats of the golden age of television, is admired and beloved by audiences the world over for his beaming smile, his physical dexterity, his impeccable comic timing, his ridiculous stunts, and his unforgettable screen roles.
-
-
If I loved Dick Van Dyke before, I love him even more now.
- By Kenna D Marshall on 2024-06-04
Written by: Dick Van Dyke
-
Being Henry
- The Fonz . . . and Beyond
- Written by: Henry Winkler
- Narrated by: Henry Winkler
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
-
-
His hardship in getting parts
- By Lynn H. on 2024-01-08
Written by: Henry Winkler
-
Bits and Pieces
- My Mother, My Brother, and Me
- Written by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time.
-
-
Loved her excitement, her laughter
- By Rosa Palmieri on 2024-11-10
Written by: Whoopi Goldberg
-
My Mother Was Nuts
- A Memoir
- Written by: Penny Marshall
- Narrated by: Penny Marshall
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
her life story going her humble roots in the Bronx to one of the most liked and respected figures in the entertainment business, also covering her marriage to Rob Reiner and relationships with Art Garfunkel, Carrie Fisher, and John Belushi, and her bout with lung and brain cancer in 2009, to Julia Cheiffetz
-
-
penny marshall
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-08-06
Written by: Penny Marshall
-
Vanderbilt
- The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
- Written by: Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe
- Narrated by: Anderson Cooper
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times best-selling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty - his mother’s family, the Vanderbilts.
-
-
A wonderful book !!
- By Louise P. on 2022-01-18
Written by: Anderson Cooper, and others
-
My Happy Days in Hollywood
- A Memoir
- Written by: Garry Marshall
- Narrated by: Garry Marshall
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With the television hits The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy, and movies like The Flamingo Kid, Beaches, Pretty Woman, and The Princess Diaries under his belt, Garry Marshall was among the most successful writers, directors, and producers in America for more than five decades. His work on the small and big screen delighted audiences for decades and has withstood the test of time.
-
-
More than I Expected
- By beefcakes13 on 2019-10-07
Written by: Garry Marshall
-
My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business
- A Memoir
- Written by: Dick Van Dyke
- Narrated by: Dick Van Dyke
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dick Van Dyke, indisputably one of the greats of the golden age of television, is admired and beloved by audiences the world over for his beaming smile, his physical dexterity, his impeccable comic timing, his ridiculous stunts, and his unforgettable screen roles.
-
-
If I loved Dick Van Dyke before, I love him even more now.
- By Kenna D Marshall on 2024-06-04
Written by: Dick Van Dyke
-
In Pieces
- Written by: Sally Field
- Narrated by: Sally Field
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this intimate, haunting, literary memoir read by the author, an American icon tells her story for the first time, in her own gorgeous words - about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft that helped her find her voice, and a powerful emotional legacy that shaped her journey as a daughter and a mother.
-
-
Raw & Truthful Autobiography
- By Cindy Susut on 2018-12-05
Written by: Sally Field
-
I Must Say
- My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
- Written by: Martin Short
- Narrated by: Martin Short
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride.
-
-
Nothing Short of Spectacular!
- By Justin Lahey on 2020-01-27
Written by: Martin Short
-
What's So Funny?
- My Hilarious Life
- Written by: Tim Conway, Jane Scovell, Carol Burnett - foreword
- Narrated by: Tim Conway, Carol Burnett, Dick Hill, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Six-time Emmy Award-winning funnyman Tim Conway, best known for his characters on The Carol Burnett Show, offers a straight-shooting and hilarious memoir about his life on stage and off as an actor and comedian. In television history, few entertainers have captured as many hearts and made as many people laugh as Tim Conway. There's nothing in the world that Tim Conway would rather do than entertain - and in his first-ever memoir, What's So Funny?, that's exactly what he does.
-
-
“Tommy”Conway A most genuine human being turned funny man
- By Robert W. IRONSIDE on 2023-07-23
Written by: Tim Conway, and others
-
Stories I Only Tell My Friends
- An Autobiography
- Written by: Rob Lowe
- Narrated by: Rob Lowe
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A teen idol at 15, an international icon and founder of the Brat Pack at 20, and one of Hollywood's top stars to this day, Rob Lowe chronicles his experiences. Never mean-spirited or salacious, Lowe delivers unexpected glimpses into his successes, disappointments, relationships, and one-of-a-kind encounters with people who shaped our world over the last 25 years. These stories are as entertaining as they are unforgettable.
-
-
New Perspective
- By Bennymac on 2018-12-12
Written by: Rob Lowe
-
No Time Like the Future
- An Optimist Considers Mortality
- Written by: Michael J. Fox
- Narrated by: Michael J. Fox
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin City; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances on shows such as The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the world's leading nonprofit funder of PD science.
-
-
A Canadian Hero
- By Dr4star on 2021-04-07
Written by: Michael J. Fox
-
This Time Together
- Laughter and Reflection
- Written by: Carol Burnett
- Narrated by: Carol Burnett
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This touching and hilarious memoir is 100 percent Carol Burnett—funny, irreverent, and irresistible.Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run.
-
-
Like having a chat with the queen of comedy
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-10-19
Written by: Carol Burnett
-
My Days
- Happy and Otherwise
- Written by: Marion Ross, David Laurell - contributor, Ron Howard - foreword
- Narrated by: Marion Ross, David Laurell, Jim Meskimen, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For eleven seasons, Marion Ross was head of one of America's favorite television households. Now meet the lovable real-life woman behind the Happy Days mom. In this warm and candid memoir, filled with loving recollections from the award-winning Happy Days team - from break-out star Henry Winkler to Cunningham "wild child" Erin Moran - Ross shares what it was like to be a starry-eyed young girl with dreams in poor, rural Minnesota, and the resilience, sacrifices, and determination it took to make them come true.
-
-
Wonderful Book
- By The Math Devil on 2019-11-06
Written by: Marion Ross, and others
-
Love Life
- Written by: Rob Lowe
- Narrated by: Rob Lowe
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love Life serves up another delicious selection of intimate stories and observations from Rob Lowe's life, told with humor, warmth, and brutal honesty. After writing his acclaimed debut effort, Lowe felt he had more stories to share and many more friends to introduce. The result is a touching memoir about the business and craft of acting, the pitfalls of success, family, love, and much more.
-
-
Another great book by Rob Lowe
- By AnotherLisa on 2020-08-31
Written by: Rob Lowe
-
Enough Already
- Learning to Love the Way I Am Today
- Written by: Valerie Bertinelli
- Narrated by: Valerie Bertinelli
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Behind the curtain of her happy on-screen persona, Valerie Bertinelli’s life has been no easy ride, especially when it comes to her own self-image and self-worth. She waged a war against herself for years, learning to equate her value to her appearance as a child star on One Day at a Time and punishing herself in order to fit into the unachievable Hollywood mold. She struggled to make her marriage to Eddie Van Halen—the true love of her life—work, despite all the rifts the rock-star lifestyle created between them.
-
-
A true ‘love’ story…
- By Alison L on 2022-01-30
Written by: Valerie Bertinelli
-
Forever Young
- A Memoir
- Written by: Hayley Mills
- Narrated by: Hayley Mills
- Length: 16 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Iconic actress Hayley Mills shares personal memories from her storied childhood, growing up in a famous acting family and becoming a Disney child star, trying to grow up in a world that wanted her to stay forever young.
-
-
Fell in love with Hayley when I was 12!
- By Ron Larocque on 2021-09-15
Written by: Hayley Mills
-
Entrances and Exits
- Written by: Michael Richards, Jerry Seinfeld - foreword
- Narrated by: Michael Richards
- Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The man who brought the kavorka to the Seinfeld show through one of the most remarkable and beloved television characters ever invented, Kramer, shares the extraordinary life of a comedy genius—the way he came into himself as an artist, the ups and downs as a human being, the road he has traveled in search of understanding.
-
-
A great memoir
- By Paul A. Crozier on 2024-06-11
Written by: Michael Richards, and others
-
Memories of the Lost
- A Novel
- Written by: Barbara O'Neal
- Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Months after her mother passes away, artist Tillie Morrisey sees a painting in a gallery that leaves her inexplicably lightheaded and unsteady. When a handsome stranger comes to her aid, their connection is so immediate it seems fated, though Liam is only visiting for a few days. Working on her own art has always been a refuge, but after discovering a document among her mother’s belongings that suggests Tillie’s life has been a lie, she begins to suffer from a series of fugue states, with memories surfacing that she isn’t even sure are her own.
-
-
Whimsical
- By Julia on 2024-11-11
Written by: Barbara O'Neal
What listeners say about The Boys
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cathy c.
- 2023-07-20
Excellent and refreshing!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book together! It was fun to re live so many movies and tv shows and hear the inside stories. Mostly through its all about the great depth of family love.
My only knock it's that whoever did the sound levels blew it. it seems it should have been easy to bring Clint's quieter voice up to the level of Ron's so we didn't have to continually change the volume ourselves! It took away from the pleasure of listening to it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2024-09-29
Wonderful Memoir
I couldn't stop listening! This was one of the warmest, most heartfelt memoirs that I have read. Such a wonderful thing to have both of the boys sharing their own stories, or memories of the same one. The family dynamic really shone through, the love was apparent.
I am old enough to remember Mayberry and Gentle Ben, so their journey brought back lovely memories from my childhood, but even if you are too young to remember those days, this is still worth the listen. Ron and Clint's lives have been rich.
I would highly recommend this listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Grateful Canadian
- 2021-11-19
Worth the listen
Ron & Clint come from such a loving, caring and supportive family & I enjoyed hearing of such a family. They are great story tellers and it was awesome to hear them narrate. I felt like they were telling me personally, if their stories.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Patricia Breault
- 2024-06-20
Didn’t know that Ron and Clint were brothers
Loved it all. What else can I say. Loved Ron Howards movies. Will look dir Clints movies now
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- eileen johnson
- 2021-10-19
Awesome book.
Sorry Ron, but I will always love Ope. There were no dry areas in the book. Loved hearing how Ron navigated himself through his two famous shows and how he became a director. Loved learning about Clints many movies and howled when I looked him up on Star Trek. What a talented little boy. I was too young to enjoy Gentle Ben, only by a few years, but I remember the opening of the show. Also, enjoyed hearing about their loving parents ❤ I'm just sad I got through the book too fast as I couldn't put it down.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bruce Novakowski
- 2023-03-04
Ron Howard Always a Great storyteller
Ron Howard doesn’t disappoint as the consulate storyteller he’s been his entire career. A fascinating and enjoyable look into the early years of the Ron Howard and the Howard family, from childhood up until the beginnings of his illustrious career as a filmmaker and storyteller. Great listen. Made even better by input from Ron’s brother and lifelong work partner, Clint.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robert W. IRONSIDE
- 2023-07-11
The Boys to Men-Power packed-Mayberry to today.
A must read for any fans of Ronnie(Ron) the actor from those early days of Mayberry thru Happy Days and into his many Directoral successes this. Perhaps more revealing and fascinating the life and times of brother Clint,who I remember vividly from that pistol packin gun toatin lil gunslinger in a scene from the Andy Griffith Show. I had no idea just how accomplished and talented Clint Howard was then and now. The love and devotion shown both young boys by father Rance and mother Jean clearly shines thru and beyond. The love,respect and support network within the Howard family “tree” so evident with The Boys both raising loving and caring families themselves. A Must Read/Listen!.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Renay
- 2021-11-19
Enjoyable
Thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Engaging, funny and really like that both Ron and Clint were the narrators.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KLM
- 2021-12-30
Fantastic!!
Enjoyed this book so much! It's a great behind the scenes look at an acting dynasty the Howard Family and three of the very popular TV shows. Highly recommend this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Julie
- 2022-04-12
Anyone with a family should listen to this book
Ron and Clint did such a wonderful job recalling and sharing these funny and poignant stories of their family's life in the public view.
They both have had struggles and successes but most of all have such moving stories of how family kept stepping up for each other.
I will definitely listen to this book again.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!