Ron Howard Shares the Heartwarming Inspiration from His Mom Behind a Key Plot Point in How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Ron Howard (left); Christine Baranski as Martha May in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (right).
Credit:

Jesse Grant/Getty; Melinda Sue Gordon/Imagine Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

Key Insights

• Ron Howard discussed the making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and its dedication to his mother, Jean Speegle Howard.
• He revealed a specific plot point that was inspired by her.
• The film also features cameo roles by his father, Rance, and his brother, Clint.

In a recent interview, Ron Howard shared behind-the-scenes insights into How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a project that blended personal and professional influences from his family. The film, released on November 17, 2000, starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch and Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.

In a detailed oral history for Vulture, published December 12, Howard, 71, reflected on why he dedicated the film to his mother, who passed away in September 2000. "We were filming on the Universal lot, and she was at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, so I could get to her,” he recounted. He added, “I dedicated the movie to her because she just loved Christmas.”

Ron Howard (left) and mom Jean Speegle Howard.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In the film, a subplot involving the competition between Molly Shannon’s character, Betty Lou Who, and Christine Baranski’s Martha May Whovier for the best holiday decorations was drawn from Howard’s childhood experience with his mother. “She would actually win the neighborhood contest in Burbank, California, for the best Christmas decorations," he recalled, describing the displays as "gaudy as hell."

Howard shared a particularly vivid memory: "As it got later, she was more and more desperate to get these lights up, and it was starting to rain. I remember her up on a ladder, trying to string these lights with a cigarette dangling from her lips, in her muumuu."

From left: TJ Thyne, Molly Shannon, Jeremy Howard, Taylor Momsen and Bill Irwin in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’.

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Rance Howard, who passed away in 2017, and Clint Howard, both had parts in the film; Rance played the Elderly Timekeeper while Clint portrayed a mayoral aide. Ron fondly described his father’s contribution: “He was about 70 years old and was working every day on the movie. I created one character for him, but he was so good that we wound up grabbing a line here and a moment there so that he could be in it almost every day."

Ron also credited his wife, Cheryl, for encouraging him to direct the film. After a challenging experience with his previous family-friendly fantasy, Willow, in 1988, he was hesitant to tackle another. However, Cheryl redefined the project’s significance, suggesting themes related to commercialism and its impact on the characters, which ultimately shaped the narrative.

In summary, Howard’s reflections on the making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas reveal the deep personal connection and family history that influenced its creation, making it a memorable project for him and audiences alike.