Actor Rance Howard, father of director Ron Howard, dies at 89

Rance Howard, whose acting career spanned more 60 years in film and television, died Saturday. He was 89.

His son, director Ron Howard, reported on his father's passing in a late-afternoon tweet. Actors, writers and directors immediately tweeted tributes and condolences.

Rance Howard also is the father of actor Clint Howard and the grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard, who are Ron's daughters.

In his tweet, Ron Howard praised his father's character: "Clint and 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 (with) great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad."