Actor Rance Howard -- father of Ron and Clint -- dead at 89

Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Actor and filmmaker Ron Howard announced via Twitter Saturday that his father Rance has died.

"Clint & I have been blessed to be Rance Howard's sons. Today he passed at 89. He stood especially tall 4 his ability to balance ambition w/great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad," Howard tweeted.

Rance Howard, an Oklahoma native and Air Force veteran, was an actor whose credits include Cool Hand Luke, Chinatown, Ed Wood, Independence Day and Nebraska. He also had roles in his son Ron's films Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and Frost/Nixon.

Rance Howard is pre-deceased by his two wives. Judy, whom he married in 2001, died in January. His first spouse Jean died in 2000. They had been married 51 years.

He is survived by his sons and four grandchildren, including actress Bryce Dallas Howard.

Ron Howard, 63, is helming Solo: A Star Wars Story. In addition to starring in the beloved TV comedies The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, the Oscar-winner has directed more than a dozen classic movies. Clint Howard, 58, is best known for his work on Gentle Ben and in supporting roles in many of his brother's films.