Is there an Oklahoma trait you feel fortunate to have? Jimmie Tramel // Tulsa World Magazine
Celebrities with Oklahoma ties are always in the news. While talking to a few recently about their newest projects, Tulsa World Magazine reporters asked them each the same question. Here are the responses:
“Just sort of an earthy, simple common sense from (my parents). I think Dad had it. We would call it Midwestern zen. We would always refer to it as that Midwestern zen, which is sort of the ability to be in that moment and understand the truth of that moment and be calm with that and accept and sort of take your next step based on the reality of just understanding where you are in the world and what’s going on and not deluding yourself, but also not diminishing yourself. It’s a kind of a — I think that sort of centered quality differentiates me from a lot of people I work with and they always appreciate that quality, I think, in me when I’m working, whether in the old days in front of the camera or the last decades behind it. I really attribute that largely to my dad, but I also think it’s a cultural characteristic. There is a kind of hot temper I don’t really have, and Dad didn’t have it much either, but I know of that as well. I don’t draw a lot of lines in the sand.” — Ron Howard, actor-director (born in Duncan)
“This is probably more of a farmer’s mentality than just pure Oklahoma, but something I learned from Dad is the cows need milking and the chickens need feeding. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 10 degrees outside or 75 degrees outside. You’ve got chores. You’ve got to do them.” — Clint Howard, actor (parents were Oklahomans)
Ron Howard and Clint Howard are brothers, but they feel like our brothers because they grew up in our television sets. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE
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