His TV credits include the role of Opie in "The Andy Griffith Show", and "Richie" in Happy Days. He was one of the leads in George Lucas's American Graffiti in 1973. Since then, he has been a very successful film director. What is his name?

This prolific filmmaker began his career in the spotlight as a beloved child actor. He first gained national attention playing Opie Taylor, the wholesome son of the sheriff on "The Andy Griffith Show" from 1960 to 1968. He then became a household name for a new generation as the clean-cut teenager Richie Cunningham in the popular sitcom "Happy Days," a role he played from 1974 to 1980. In between these two iconic television roles, he also starred as one of the leads, Steve Bolander, in George Lucas's influential 1973 coming-of-age film, "American Graffiti".

While still acting on "Happy Days," he began to pursue his dream of working behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with the low-budget film "Grand Theft Auto" in 1977. After leaving "Happy Days" in 1980 to focus on directing, his career truly took off. He went on to direct a string of critically and commercially successful films, showcasing his versatility across genres.

His extensive directing credits include hit comedies like "Splash" and "Parenthood," the fantasy film "Willow," and intense dramas such as "Backdraft" and "Apollo 13". His work has earned him numerous accolades, most notably winning the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for the 2001 biographical drama "A Beautiful Mind". He received another Oscar nomination for directing the historical drama "Frost/Nixon," solidifying his reputation as one of Hollywood's most respected and successful directors.