Rance Howard, a veteran actor who appeared on television and in films for more than 60 years, including several movies made by his son, the director Ron Howard, died on Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 89.

Ron Howard announced the death on Twitter on Saturday afternoon. “A Depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history,” he wrote.

The elder Mr. Howard was also the father of the actor Clint Howard and grandfather of the actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.