Reed Cross Howard grew up in one of Hollywood’s most famous families, but his life took a different direction. As the youngest child and only son of award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard, Reed had a close connection to the entertainment world from childhood. However, instead of becoming an actor or director, he developed a passion for golf and turned it into a professional career.
Today, Reed Cross Howard is known as a professional golfer, golf instructor, and creator of the Steadhead golf training aid. While his sisters have received attention for their entertainment careers, Reed has built his own identity through sports, teaching, and family life.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Reed Cross Howard |
| Date of Birth | April 12, 1987 |
| Age (2026) | 39 Years |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Golfer, Golf Instructor |
| Father | Ron Howard |
| Mother | Cheryl Howard |
| Siblings | Bryce Dallas Howard, Paige Howard, Jocelyn Howard |
| Education | Pepperdine University, University of South Carolina Beaufort |
| Wife | Ashley Howard (née Gioffre) |
| Children | Daughter, Aspen Leigh Howard |
| Famous For | Golf Career and Being Ron Howard’s Son |
| Golf Invention | Steadhead Training Aid |
Who Is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard is an American golfer who became publicly known because of his connection to the Howard family. His father, Ron Howard, is a respected Hollywood director responsible for successful films such as A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, and The Da Vinci Code.
Although Reed grew up surrounded by actors, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals, he found his interests elsewhere. Golf became an important part of his life, leading him into competitive tournaments and professional training.
What makes Reed’s story interesting is that he did not build his career around his father’s popularity. Instead, he spent years developing his sporting skills and finding opportunities within the golf industry.
Early Life and Family Background
Born on April 12, 1987, Reed Cross Howard is the youngest of four children born to Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard. His childhood included travelling with his family while his father worked on different film projects.
Despite Ron Howard’s busy career, the family made efforts to spend time together. Reed has spoken publicly about how his mother helped keep the family connected by arranging homes and schools whenever they travelled for his father’s work.
His mother, Cheryl Howard, is also a writer and has played an important role in the family’s life. Growing up with supportive parents gave Reed opportunities to explore interests beyond entertainment.
An interesting detail about his name is that Cross reportedly comes from a street in London where his family once lived. The Howard children have middle names connected to meaningful locations in their parents’ lives.
Education and Interest in Golf
Reed attended Heritage Academy before continuing his education at Pepperdine University. He later joined the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), where he became involved in competitive college golf.
His university years helped him gain valuable experience as an athlete. He was a member of USCB’s first men’s golf team during the 2007–2008 academic year.
According to the university’s official athletic records, Reed also qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina. This achievement demonstrated that his interest in golf had developed into serious competitive ability.
His college record listed history as his academic major, showing that he balanced his education with sporting commitments.
Reed Cross Howard’s Professional Golf Career
After building experience at college, Reed Cross Howard continued pursuing golf professionally. He participated in smaller professional tournaments, often called mini-tour events, while working to improve his technique and consistency.
Professional golf requires much more than hitting a ball accurately. Players must develop concentration, physical fitness, patience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Reed’s competitive experience exposed him to these demands.
He also became interested in the technical side of the sport, particularly how body position and movement influence the quality of a golf swing.
Although Reed has not achieved the same worldwide recognition as major tournament champions, his sporting background has allowed him to explore other opportunities within golf, especially training and instruction.
The Story Behind His Steadhead Invention
One of Reed’s most interesting achievements is the development of Steadhead, a golf training tool designed to help players manage unnecessary head movement during their swings.
The idea came from a problem Reed experienced in his own game. He noticed that excessive head movement could affect his balance and accuracy. Rather than simply accepting the problem, he began exploring ways to correct it.
Steadhead provides a visual reference that helps golfers notice their head position while swinging. The device attaches to a cap, allowing players to recognise movements that may affect their technique.
The invention received attention from golf publications, including GOLF.com, which reviewed the training aid in January 2020. It showed another side of Reed’s career: his interest in helping other players solve practical problems.
YouTube Career and Golf Training Content
Beyond competitive golf, Reed has shared his sporting knowledge through online platforms. His Reed Howard Golf content includes swing demonstrations, training advice, practice drills, and discussions about improving golf performance.
His videos focus on useful techniques rather than entertainment alone. Topics include swing mechanics, body movement, and methods for developing greater consistency.
Platforms such as YouTube and Instagram have helped him connect with golf enthusiasts outside traditional tournaments.
This work has given Reed an additional professional identity as someone who shares his experience with recreational golfers. It also allows people interested in the Howard family to discover his individual skills.
Reed Cross Howard’s Wife and Children
Reed Cross Howard is married to Ashley Howard, whose maiden name is reported as Ashley Gioffre. Compared with many Hollywood relationships, their marriage receives relatively little media attention.
The couple have a daughter named Aspen Leigh Howard, who was born in 2019. Reed’s father celebrated his first Father’s Day that year with a public message expressing pride in his son.
Reed occasionally shares glimpses of family life, but much of his personal world remains outside public attention.
His relationship with his wife and daughter adds another dimension to his story, showing that his life involves more than golf tournaments and professional training.
Meet Reed Cross Howard’s Famous Siblings
Reed has three older sisters, each with her own interests and career.
His eldest sister, Bryce Dallas Howard, is a successful actress and director known for her work in Jurassic World, The Help, and several television productions.
His sister Paige Carlyle Howard has also pursued acting and creative work. Paige’s twin sister, Jocelyn Carlyle Howard, maintains a more private lifestyle and generally stays away from entertainment publicity.
Although the siblings have followed different paths, they share a connection to a family that has spent decades in the public eye.
Reed’s decision to focus on golf makes his career particularly different from those of Bryce and Paige.
A Memorable Childhood Story
One unusual story about Reed’s childhood became public when Ron Howard recalled a family journey to Yosemite.
During the trip, young Reed was accidentally left behind at a Krispy Kreme shop in Fresno, California, after stopping with a large group of relatives.
Because family members were travelling in different vehicles, nobody immediately realised he was missing. Once the mistake was discovered, arrangements were made to reunite him with the family.
Reed was safe, and the incident eventually became a memorable family story. Ron discussed it in a 2025 interview with People magazine.
Why Reed Cross Howard Lives Away From Hollywood
Despite having a famous father, Reed has maintained a comparatively low public profile. His professional activities have centred on golf rather than acting, film premieres, or Hollywood publicity.
This does not mean he has completely avoided entertainment. He made a brief television appearance in Arrested Development in 2018.
However, his documented career has remained focused on sports.
His life shows how members of the same family can develop very different interests. While his father and some siblings work in film and television, Reed has built his reputation through competitive golf, training, and instruction.
Conclusion
Reed Cross Howard has followed a path that sets him apart from his famous Hollywood family. Born into a household closely connected to filmmaking, he developed his own career through golf, competitive experience, and an interest in helping other players improve.
From playing college tournaments to creating the Steadhead training aid, his story reflects years of involvement in a sport he enjoys. Alongside his professional activities, he is also a husband and father.
Although many people first discover him as Ron Howard’s son, Reed’s individual achievements offer plenty of reasons to learn more about his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Reed Cross Howard?
Reed Cross Howard is an American professional golfer, golf instructor, and the only son of Hollywood director Ron Howard and writer Cheryl Howard. He is also known for creating the Steadhead golf training aid.
2. How old is Reed Cross Howard in 2026?
Reed Cross Howard was born on April 12, 1987, making him 39 years old in 2026.
3. Who is Reed Cross Howard’s wife?
Reed is married to Ashley Howard, also known as Ashley Gioffre. They have a daughter named Aspen Leigh Howard.
4. What does Reed Cross Howard do for a living?
Reed is known for his work as a professional golfer and golf instructor. He has also created golf training content and developed the Steadhead training device.
5. Is Reed Cross Howard an actor like his father?
Reed has made a brief television appearance, but he has not pursued acting as his main career. Unlike his father, Ron Howard, he has focused primarily on golf.
