Ron Howard had doubts about casting his mother in Apollo 13 until he saw her without false teeth

18 August 2025

Ron Howard had doubts about casting his mother in Apollo 13 until he saw her without false teeth.

Ron Howard had doubts about casting his mother in Apollo 13 until he saw her without false teeth

The 71-year-old put his mum Jean Speegle Howard, in his 1995 space drama movie as astronaut Jim Lovell’s mother, but said it took persuasion from her and his father she could looking sufficiently old enough to play the role.

Ron told Vulture his father, Rance Howard, told him to cast Jean as Jim’s mother in the docudrama about the near-fatal 1970 lunar mission.

At the time, Jean had just returned to acting after a hiatus and Ron was initially hesitant, citing her age and the significance of the role. 

But Rance insisted, with Ron saying he told him: “Your mother would knock that new Jim Lovell’s mother part out of the park.” 

Ron eventually agreed to audition her at their home. 

After a reading, he expressed concerns about her age, to which he said Jean responded: “I could dye my hair, and they can increase my wrinkles.” 

When Ron remained doubtful, Jean humorously removed her false teeth and asked: “Would this help?!” Ron relented, saying: “Okay, okay, okay! You got the part!”

Jean Speegle Howard was born Jean Frances Speegle on January 31, 1927, in Duncan, Oklahoma. 

She began her acting career at 17 at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. 

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