Jean Speegle Howard Biography

Jean Frances Speegle Howard was an American film, TV, and children’s theater actor. She was known for her performances in films of diverse genres, such as comedy (‘Scrooged’), science fiction (Cocoon), and drama (Apollo 13). Born and raised in Oklahoma, US, she studied acting at the ‘American Academy of Dramatic Arts,’ New York, and also at the ‘University of Oklahoma.’ She performed and toured with a children’s theater company. After marriage, she dedicated herself to her family and looked after her two sons, who were child actors. Once her sons were established in the entertainment industry, she began accepting acting assignments again. Thus, at the age of 58, she returned to her acting career and proved herself as a well-appreciated character actor. She worked in around 22 films and over 30 TV shows. Some of her notable films were ‘Cocoon,’ ‘Apollo 13,’ ‘Matilda,’ and ‘My Fellow Americans.’ She was also part of TV series such as ‘Married …with Children,’ ‘Grace under Fire,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ and ‘Two of a Kind.’ She was married to actor Rance Howard and had two sons and four grandchildren. She died of cardiac and respiratory illness at the age of 73.