Ron literally grew up on television on the series THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, and later on the AMERICAN GRAFFITI inspired HAPPY DAYS. However, he wasn't destined to be an actor for long. In 1978 at the tender age of 23, he directed the low budget film GRAND THEFT AUTO. There was no turning back now - he was bit with the directing bug! NIGHT SHIFT; SPLASH; and COCOON soon followed. He delved into fantasy with WILLOW - and action/drama with BACKDRAFT. His most recent film, APOLLO 13 was honored with nine Academy Award nominations and for which he won the Director's Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement.