Ron Howard's Wife Cheryl Catches Her Hair on Fire While Blowing Out Candles in Birthday Mishap Video

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Dave Benett/WireImage; Ron Howard/Instagram

Dave Benett/WireImage; Ron Howard/Instagram

Ron Howard’s family narrowly avoided a scary incident at his wifeCheryl’s birthday party.

On Dec. 23, the director, 70,shared a videofrom Cheryl’s 71st birthday party that shows her blowing out candles on her birthday cake that he was holding for her.

In the video, a candle from the cake momentarily lights Cheryl’s hair on fire, and she jumps back and yells while family members quickly move in to help.

The video shows the situation turn from potentially dangerous to good-natured quickly. As one family member examined Cheryl’s hair, Ron can be heard saying, “It burnt her hair a little bit.”

“Can you believe that? Did you get it on camera?” Cheryl asks. As more family members swirl in to check on Cheryl, others begin laughing and comforting children in the room. Ron can be seen clapping and laughing as the camera pans around to family members assembled for the party.

“Nearly had a serious mishap at Cheryl’s family b-day party last night,” Ron, who has been married to Cheryl since 1975, wrote in his Instagram caption. “Whew! #AllsWellThatEndsWell and wishing all a safe and wonderful holiday and 2025.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The video Ron shared shows reactions from some of the couple’sfour children—Bryce Dallas Howard, 43, twins Jocelyn and Paige, 39, and son Reed, 37 — as well as Bryce’s husbandSeth Gabel, who is shown holding his hands over his face in shock.

Cheryl also jokes in the video, “You know what? My hair was a little dry.” “It’s a little synched,” one family member inspecting Cheryl’s hair noted, while Bryce added, “It’s fine.”

Cheryl Howard and Ron Howard, circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

“FOR SURE the hottest one outta the whole Howard clan! lol,” she added in a separate comment.

Ron also responded to a follower who asked why Cheryl’s birthday cake read, “Happy birthday, Ama.” “Ama is her family nickname for Grandmother,” Ron wrote.

source: people.com