The 4 things Ron Howard revealed about his marriage and one of his most iconic movies

Ron Howard has been in Hollywood since he was just a kid and has been married to his high school sweetheart almost as long.\

The “Eden” director recently sat down for an in-depth interview with People Magazine, where he revealed untold stories about his life and career.

HIS SWEET 50TH ANNIVERSARY GIFT

To mark his 50th wedding anniversary to his wife, Cheryl, Howard was inspired by their dates as teenagers, spending time in a park in Burbank, California.

“I got the idea of an old-fashioned sort of love seat where couples could sit and talk and smooch a little bit,” he said, noting he and Cheryl used to do the same.

The gift, dubbed the Ron and Cheryl Howard kissing chair, worked as intended.

“My brother [Clint Howard, 66] drove by not long ago, snapped a picture with his iPhone. It was a couple kissing in the kissing chair. He said, ‘Hey, it’s working.’”

“APOLLO 13” ALMOST LOOKED DIFFERENT

Howard revealed that one of his most iconic films, “Apollo 13,” almost had a different lead.

“Jim Lovell [lead astronaut of the mission] really wanted Kevin Costner to play him because Costner looked a little like him, and Costner was just absolutely on fire. ‘Dances with Wolves’ was the biggest thing and Costner wasn't interested, wasn't available. It was sort of a non-starter,” Howard said during a recent screening of the film.

Tom Hanks took the role instead and the rest is history.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Howard’s mom, Jean, is also an actress and ended up playing the role of Jim Lovell’s mother in “Apollo 13,” after a call from his dad, Rance (also an actor!)

"You know, your mother would make a great Mrs. Lovell,” his dad told him, but Howard wasn’t sure his mom was old enough for the part.

“I said, ‘Mom, you don't really look old enough for Mrs. Lovell.' " She replied "Oh, well, you can add some wrinkles and we'll get the right glasses and I'll mat my hair down.”

He was still hesitant until, "She literally turned away and took her false teeth out and said, 'Will this help?' I said, 'Okay, mom, you got it.' "

“HAPPY DAYS” FRIENDSHIP

Howard has remained friends with his “Happy Days” co-star Henry Winkler since the show began in 1974.

“We just clicked as acting partners,” he told People Magazine. "We became great friends and he was — and is — kind of like a big brother to me. Donnie Most, Anson Williams, Henry Winkler and I have sort of an ongoing text thread, so there's just a kind of running dialogue, updating what's going on.”

Winkler told the outlet, "Every time I see him, it’s like there is no time lost. We just pick up right as if I saw him yesterday."