UNA TO HOST RANCE HOWARD FOR FILM FESTIVAL

Feb. 9, 2009

FLORENCE, Ala. — The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival will welcome veteran actor Rance Howard next month. The veteran actor, whose credits include more than 200 film and television roles, will discuss his extensive career with guests at 7 p.m. March 6 in UNA’s GUC Performance Center. Local filmmaker Tonya Holly will emcee.

Howard, an Oklahoma native and father of Oscar-winning director/producer Ron Howard, began his acting career on the stage at a very young age. His first role on the screen was in the 1956 film “Frontier Woman,” which was soon followed by the first of many guest appearances on television.

Howard’s extensive resume includes roles in the films “Cool Hand Luke,” “Ed Wood,” “Indepenence Day” and “Grand Theft Auto,” which he co-wrote with son Ron. With television roles ranging from cowboy to space traveler, Howard has appeared in many notable programs, including “The Virginian,” “Bonanza,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Babylon 5.” He appeared with son Clint in the 1960s familiy favorite “Gentle Ben” and worked with son Ron in many episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days.”

Howard continues to stay busy in front of the camera, with work on five films slated for release in 2009. He will also have a major role as Henry Barrow in Tonya Holly’s upcoming film, “The Story of Bonnie and Clyde".

Howard follows several major celebrity guests at the George Lindsey UNA film festival, including Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton in 2008 and Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine in 2007.

The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is one of the few film festivals hosted by a university. The event was founded in 1998 by UNA alumnus and celebrated actor and entertainer George Lindsey. Lindsey’s own film career has included several important roles, including the character Goober Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

For more information on the 2009 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com, or contact the film festival staff at lindseyfilmfest@una.edu or 256-765-4592.