Bryce Dallas Howard
Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Bryce Dallas Howard (born March 2, 1981) is an American actress and director. The eldest child of filmmaker Ron Howard, she studied acting at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. While portraying Rosalind in a 2003 production of As You Like It, Howard caught the attention of director M. Night Shyamalan, who cast her as a blind woman in the thriller film The Village (2004) and a naiad in the fantasy film Lady in the Water (2006).
Howard's performance in Kenneth Branagh's romance film As You Like It (2006) earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination and she subsequently appeared as Gwen Stacy in Sam Raimi's superhero film Spider-Man 3 (2007). She went on to appear as Kate Connor in the action film Terminator Salvation (2009) and as Victoria in the fantasy film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010). She also appeared in the drama film The Help (2011), the comedy-drama film 50/50 (2011), the fantasy film Pete's Dragon (2016), and the musical film Rocketman (2019). Howard gained further recognition with her role as Claire Dearing in the top-grossing Jurassic World trilogy (2015–2022).
Additionally, Howard directed the documentary film Dads (2019), and episodes of the Disney+ space western series The Mandalorian (2019–2023) and The Book of Boba Fett (2022).
Early life and education
Bryce Dallas Howard was born March 2, 1981, in Los Angeles,<ref name=biography.com>Template:Cite web</ref> to writer Cheryl Howard (née Alley)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and actor-director Ron Howard. She has two younger sisters, including Paige, and a younger brother.<ref name="Wieselman">Template:Cite web</ref> Through her father, Bryce is a granddaughter of actors Rance Howard and Jean Speegle Howard, as well as a niece of actor Clint Howard. Her godfather is actor Henry Winkler,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> who co-starred with her father in the 1970s–1980s American comedy television series Happy Days.<ref name="papermag">Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard was raised in Armonk, New York, and on a farm in Greenwich, Connecticut.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Howard and her siblings were raised away from the world of show business; their parents did not allow them access to television, and instead encouraged outdoor activities and hobbies. At the age of seven, she was permitted to be an extra in her father's films. In a 2017 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she said she and her siblings were babysat by family friend Tom Cruise on several occasions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard began training as an actress at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts camp in upstate New York, alongside Natalie Portman.<ref name="Wieselman"/> She attended Greenwich Country Day School until 1996,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and graduated from Byram Hills High School in 1999,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> after which she studied for three years at New York University's (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts, taking classes at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, the Experimental Theatre Wing, and the International Theatre Workshop in Amsterdam.<ref name=mitu>Template:Cite news</ref> During her schooling, Howard took part in the concept recording of the Broadway-bound musical A Tale of Two Cities.<ref name=cities>Template:Cite web</ref> She took a leave of absence from NYU to pursue roles without completing her degree.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Almost 20 years later, she returned to NYU and completed her degree in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Howard is also an alumna of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's School in Chicago, and of The Actors Center in New York City.<ref name=mitu/> During her time in New York, Howard was also a member of Theater Mitu, a company that was in residence at New York Theatre Workshop, which is known for its exploration of theatrical forms.<ref name=mitu/><ref name="bg">Template:Cite news</ref>
Career
2002–2006: Early roles and film success
For several years, Howard appeared in New York City theatrical productions; her repertoire included House & Garden–a 2002 Alan Ayckbourn production held at the Manhattan Theatre Club– and Tartuffe, a theatrical comedy staged at the American Airlines Theatre. In 2003, Howard performed as Rosalind in the William Shakespeare comedy As You Like It at The Public Theater, where she caught the attention of film director M. Night Shyamalan, who two weeks later and without an audition, cast her in his fantasy thriller The Village (2004).<ref name="papermag"/> Howard portrayed the female lead Ivy, the chief's blind daughter, opposite Ivy's love interest Joaquin Phoenix. The film was a commercial success but met mixed reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her performance was lauded by critics and Howard was nominated for several awards.<ref name="tributeca">Template:Cite web</ref> Lars von Trier then cast Howard to replace Nicole Kidman in Manderlay (2005), the sequel to Dogville (2003); she reprised Kidman's role as Grace Mulligan, an idealistic woman who stays at a plantation in rural Alabama and later attempts to assist a revolt against slave owners.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The film garnered mixed reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard reunited with Shyamalan for Lady in the Water (2006), a fantasy drama in which she plays Story, a naiad-like being from a bedtime story, opposite Paul Giamatti, a Philadelphia building superintendent who discovers Story in a pool. The film under-performed at the box office, failed to recoup its budget, and was largely panned by critics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard again portrayed Rosalind in Kenneth Branagh's 2006 film adaptation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, which was released theatrically in Europe before premiering on HBO in the United States.<ref name="nymag">Template:Cite web</ref> The film was negatively received by British media but American press coverage was positive.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Howard was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film at the 65th Golden Globe Awards for her role.<ref name="gg"/> That year, she wrote and directed a short film called Orchids as part of Glamour magazine's "Reel Moments" series, which was funded by Cartier and FilmAid International.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2007–2014: Rise to prominence and critical acclaim
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In 2007, Howard starred in her first blockbuster film, portraying Gwen Stacy in the superhero film Spider-Man 3.<ref name="family"/> Howard described herself as a "huge fan" of the franchise and did extensive research to prepare for the role, including reading comic books and dyeing her hair blonde for the part.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard performed many of her own stunts while filming, unaware she was a few months into a pregnancy.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The film was the highest-grossing installment of the trilogy and received a mixed reception.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard then starred in the science fiction film Terminator Salvation (2009);<ref name="tsbo"/> she replaced Claire Danes in the role of Kate Connor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tony">Template:Cite web</ref> Howard described her role as "an emotional sounding board" for other characters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film was a financial success but was not critically well received.<ref name="tsbo">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Guardian described Howard's role as "winsomely" while The New York Times wrote she "upholds the maternal side of the original Sarah Connor legacy".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard starred as a reluctant debutante opposite Chris Evans in The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2009), an independent film that is based on a 1957 screenplay by Tennessee Williams and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.<ref name="diamond">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="wsj">Template:Cite news</ref> Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised Howard's "eye-catching performance", describing her as a "must-see", while Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called her performance "affecting" but not "electrifying, because the material doesn't have it".<ref name="diamond" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She joined the Twilight series' third installment The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, replacing Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria Sutherland, a revenge-seeking vampire.<ref name="tdt2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="rl">Template:Cite news</ref> Howard was a fan of the book series and expressed admiration for her character.<ref name="wsj"/> The film was a box office hit<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and drew mixed reviews,<ref name="cream">Template:Cite web</ref> though Howard's performance received critical acclaim; Honeycutt lauded her as "the epitome of sensual, feline cunning".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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Howard appeared in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (2010) as a love interest of Matt Damon's character.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nydn">Template:Cite news</ref> Empire referred to her character as "twinkly", and stated Howard's and Damon's "fine work" uplift the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hereafter was a commercial hit but critics gave it a mixed reception.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2011, Howard became the first celebrity ambassador for designer Kate Spade.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She appeared in Tate Taylor's 2011 film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel The Help, in which she played Hilly Holbrook, a racist socialite who leads a Junior League chapter in 1963 Jackson, Mississippi. The film was a critical and commercial success.<ref name="Box Office Mojo">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The Miami Herald described her role as a "broadly comic villain" while The New York Times praised Howard for being "energetic in a thankless role".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Howard was nominated for numerous accolades, including an MTV Movie Award and an NAACP Image Award, winning a Critics' Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award alongside the rest of the cast.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Howard, alongside her father, produced Gus Van Sant's Restless (2011), a dark coming-of-age film about a teenage boy and girl who are engrossed with death.<ref name="throct09">Template:Cite news</ref> HowardTemplate:Which offered considerable input on the film's screenwriting and directorial choices.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to mixed reviews.<ref>Template:Metacritic film</ref> She portrayed Joseph Gordon-Levitt's on-and-off girlfriend in the cancer dramedy 50/50 (2011).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.<ref>Template:Metacritic film</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The New York Times stated Howard "makes a real character" out of the "shrewish" role while Los Angeles Times wrote she was "rapidly becoming today's preeminent Queen of Mean".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard directed the short film When You Find Me, a social film that was developed in collaboration with Canon under the premise of gathering inspiration through images selected from a photography contest. 96,362 entries<ref>Number of entries is noted at the end of the completed film at Template:Cite AV media</ref> were accepted while only eight were selected for use in the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015–present: Mainstream recognition and professional expansion
In 2015, Howard starred opposite Chris Pratt, in the science fiction action film Jurassic World, the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She portrayed Claire Dearing, the ambitious, accomplished operations manager at the titular theme park who undergoes development during the film.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Howard performed extensive ankle exercises to complete the scenes in which her character runs in high heels through almost Template:Convert of mud, which she described as "one of the hardest things [she's] ever had to do".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jurassic World was a commercial and critical success, with Howard's performance and on-screen chemistry with Pratt receiving praise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rolling Stone described her portrayal as "dynamo" and "nobody's patsy" while the Associated Press wrote; "it is Howard who makes the biggest impact ... her transformation is the most convincing one in a film full of dubious evolutions".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Los Angeles Times and The Atlantic considered Dearing and her use of heels "sexist", while Bustle and Inquisitr labeled Howard's character as a "feminist hero".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Vox>Template:Cite news</ref> Howard disagreed with the former view, citing the character's detachment from reality and extensive familiarity with heels in everyday life.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2016, Howard starred in the fantasy adventure film Pete's Dragon, a remake of the 1977 film of the same name.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pete's Dragon was released to critical and commercial success.<ref name="BOM">Template:Cite web</ref> The same year, Howard appeared in the crime drama Gold (2016) as Kay, the protagonist's girlfriend.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gold opened to a limited release with mixed reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Hollywood Reporter dubbed her portrayal a "sturdy, salt-of-the-earth" type who "makes [a substantial] impression".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, she also appeared in "Nosedive", an episode of the Netflix science fiction anthology series Black Mirror.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Howard gained 30 pounds for the role because body shaming is a "huge part of the subtext of the story".<ref name="marie claire">Template:Cite web</ref> She chose a laugh for Lacie, her character, that she meant to connote artificiality, anxiety, and dejection.<ref name="ibm">Template:Cite book</ref> Both Howard and the episode received critical praise; The Guardian lauded her portrayal as "brilliantly played" and The Atlantic wrote "Howard's performance is terrific–she conveys Lacie's inner frustration while grinning cheerfully through it".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard reprised her role as Dearing in the second film of the Jurassic World trilogy, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), in which her character appears as a dinosaur-rights activist. The film was a commercial hit, although it received mixed critical reception.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Plot">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For accuracy, Howard trained with a veterinary surgeon who had experience with African wildlife.<ref name="Cranston">Template:Cite news</ref> Variety stated Howard "projects a luminous concern for God's ancient revived creatures" while Empire praised both Pratt and Howard for "develop[ing] their characters beyond the archetypes they inhabited".<ref name="varietyreview">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2019, Howard voiced the character Bella in the family drama film A Dog's Way Home, which opened to critical and commercial success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=preview>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard appeared as Elton John's mother Sheila Dwight in the musical biopic Rocketman (2019), which was directed by Dexter Fletcher.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard described her character as humorous and sharp-witted, and as someone who struggled with her mental health.<ref name="glamour_interview">Template:Cite web</ref> Howard worked extensively with make-up artists to design the character's look as she aged, and used Elizabeth Taylor as inspiration for her portrayal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rocketman was a box-office hit and garnered critical acclaim, receiving a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Chicago Sun-Times praised Howard for her "finely nuanced work" and CinemaBlend called her performance a "wicked portrayal ... that really ties a film together".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard made her feature film directorial debut with the documentary Dads,<ref name="varietyy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was named second runner-up for the People's Choice Award for Documentaries.<ref>Jessica Wong, "TIFF 2019: Jojo Rabbit captures TIFF People's Choice Award" Template:Webarchive. CBC News, September 16, 2019.</ref> Dads received critical acclaim; Variety wrote; "Howard favors observation over lecture, anecdotes over numbers, showing instead of telling what equally split primary-caregiving looks like in contemporary households" and The Guardian said the film "mixes the platitudinous with the genuinely moving".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
She directed three episodes of the Disney+ space Western series The Mandalorian (2019–2023).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard referred to the larger Star Wars universe as an asset to storytelling, and sought to maintain character depth and appeal to viewers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard's direction received positive responses; Den of Geek said she "[made] the episode pop" and "knows what makes Star Wars tick".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard also directed an episode of the miniseries The Book of Boba Fett, which premiered on Disney+ in January 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Howard reprised her role as Claire Dearing once more in the Jurassic World Dominion (2022), the concluding instalment in the Jurassic World trilogy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film received mostly negative reviews but was a box office success and brought back Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, the stars of the original 1993 film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2024, she starred in the lead role of the action comedy film Argylle, directed by Matthew Vaughn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She directed episode 6 of the Disney+ science fiction series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and will direct two episodes of Star Wars: Ahsoka season 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2025, Howard directed her second documentary film Pets, released during National Pets Day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard starred in the 2025 Amazon Prime Video comedy film Deep Cover.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
During her senior year of high school, Howard learned of existentialism. She said: "I was like, 'This is it! This is my religion.' I had never felt a connection to any sort of spirituality before that. It was very basic–you're responsible for the choices that you make–but it was mind-blowing at the time."<ref name="papermag" /> She does not drink alcohol.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Howard met actor Seth Gabel at New York University;<ref name="nymag" /> they dated for five years before marrying on June 17, 2006.<ref name="family">Template:Cite web</ref> Howard and Gabel had planned to start a family together in their thirties but a week after their wedding, when they were both around 25 years old, Howard learned she was pregnant with their first child.<ref name="tdt2" /><ref name="ppd" /> Howard gave birth to their son in 2007.<ref name="e">Template:Cite news</ref> Howard has talked about experiencing postpartum depression 18 months after her son's birth, and credited her recovery to the help of a physician and a therapist.<ref name="ppd">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tdt2" /> The couple had a second child, a daughter, in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> The family lives in upstate New York.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They are close friends with Josh Gad, who is godfather to their children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Reports stated that Howard was paid $2 million less than Pratt, who earned $10 million, but she stated that the gap was even larger and that she was paid more for other Jurassic World-related things like video games and theme park rides.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her net worth as of 2025 is approximately $25 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
| Template:Dagger | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Parenthood | Strawberry-Blonde Girl in Audience | |
| 1995 | Apollo 13 | Girl in Yellow Dress | |
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Surprised Who | Credited as Bryce Howard |
| 2001 | A Beautiful Mind | Harvard Student | |
| 2004 | Book of Love | Heather | |
| The Village | Ivy Elizabeth Walker | ||
| 2005 | Manderlay | Grace Margaret Mulligan | |
| 2006 | As You Like It | Rosalind | |
| Lady in the Water | Story | ||
| Orchids | Template:N/A | Short film; director and co-writer | |
| 2007 | Spider-Man 3 | Gwen Stacy | |
| 2008 | Good Dick | Kissing Woman<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Cameo |
| The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond | Fisher Willow | ||
| 2009 | Terminator Salvation | Katherine "Kate" Brewster Connor | |
| 2010 | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse | Victoria | |
| Despair | Woman | Short film | |
| Hereafter | Melanie | ||
| 2011 | The Help | Hilly Holbrook | |
| 50/50 | Rachael | ||
| Restless | Template:N/A | Producer | |
| When You Find Me | Template:N/A | Short film; director | |
| 2013 | Call Me Crazy: A Five Film | Template:N/A | Television film; director (segment: "Lucy") |
| 2015 | Paints Suits | Karen Peltraske | Short film |
| Jurassic World | Claire Dearing | ||
| Solemates<ref>Template:Citation</ref> | Template:N/A | Short film; director and writer | |
| 2016 | Pete's Dragon | Grace Meacham | |
| Gold | Kay | ||
| 2018 | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom | Claire Dearing | |
| 2019 | A Dog's Way Home | Bella (voice) | |
| Rocketman | Sheila Eileen | ||
| Love, Antosha | Herself | Documentary | |
| Dads | Template:N/A | Documentary; director | |
| 2022 | Jurassic World Dominion | Claire Dearing | |
| 2024 | Argylle | Elly Conway / Rachel Kylle | |
| 2025 | Pets | Template:N/A | Documentary; director |
| Deep Cover | Kat Bryant |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Family Guy | Various voices | Episode: "We Love You, Conrad" |
| 2014 | HitRecord on TV | Various | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Black Mirror | Lacie Pound | Episode: "Nosedive" |
| 2018 | Arrested Development | Herself | Episode: "Emotional Baggage" |
| 2019–2023 | The Mandalorian | Template:N/A | Director; episodes: "Chapter 4: Sanctuary"; "Chapter 11: The Heiress", "Chapter 22: Guns for Hire" |
| 2022 | The Book of Boba Fett | Template:N/A | Director; episode: "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian" |
| Tales of the Jedi | Yaddle (voice) | Episode: "The Sith Lord"<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> | |
| 2024 | Star Wars: Skeleton Crew | Template:N/A | Director; episode: "Zero Friends Again" |
| TBA | Ahsoka | Template:N/A | Director; future second season |
Video games
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Lego Jurassic World | Claire Dearing |
| Lego Dimensions | ||
| 2018 | Jurassic World Evolution | |
| 2021 | Maquette | Kenzie |
| Jurassic World Evolution 2 | Claire Dearing |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Tartuffe | Mariane | American Airlines Theatre |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Claudia Lewis" | M83 | Template:N/A | Director |
| 2024 | "Electric Energy" | Ariana DeBose, Boy George and Nile Rodgers | Herself | <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
Audiobooks
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Testaments | Agnes |
Awards and nominations
References
External links
- 1981 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Greenwich, Connecticut
- Actresses from Los Angeles
- American child actresses
- American film actresses
- Audiobook narrators
- Howard family (show business)
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- Actresses from Westchester County, New York
- Tisch School of the Arts alumni
- American television directors
- American women television directors
- People with mood disorders