Bryce Dallas Howard had an unforgettable introduction to working with Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier.
When the Jurassic World actress joined the set of Manderlay in 2005, she didn’t expect her first meeting with the director to include being insulted-and splashed with a glass of water.
In a recent interview with The Times, Bryce opened up about the moment. She recalled von Trier greeting her not with small talk or a handshake, but with a blunt jab at her famous father. “He started insulting me: ‘Your father’s a terrible filmmaker,’” she said. That father, of course, is Ron Howard-the Oscar-winning director of A Beautiful Mind and a long-time fixture in Hollywood.
Unfazed, Bryce asked von Trier what exactly he was trying to provoke. “I went: ‘Lars, what are you trying to see?’ and he said: ‘Your angry face. I don’t know what it looks like.’”
Then things escalated. According to Bryce, von Trier threw a glass of water in her face. Rather than shrink back, she responded in kind. “So I threw a glass of water in his face,” she said. “He goes: ‘Why did you do that?’ and got up and left. That was my introduction to the Lars von Trier experience.”
Despite the bizarre encounter, Bryce insists she wasn’t upset by it. “It wasn’t like I went to my room and cried or anything,” she said. “I was sort of delighted by it.”
The story shines a light on the unpredictable nature of von Trier, a director known for pushing emotional boundaries with both his actors and audiences. But for Bryce, the moment seems to have rolled off her shoulders-maybe even setting the tone for her resilience in a tough industry.
As for her father, Ron Howard, Bryce remains incredibly close to him. While she hopes to take on more directing roles in the future, she says she won’t walk away from acting the way her dad did. “I don’t want to let go of acting as my dad has done. That would be really heartbreaking because I learn so much being on a set. I have so much fun.”
Earlier this year, Ron posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to celebrate Bryce’s 44th birthday. He wrote, “You’ve always made your mom and me happy and incredibly proud. But the scope of what you’ve achieved with your family and career and the future you are building exceeds our wildest hopes.”
In return, Bryce celebrated her dad’s birthday with a sweet message of her own. “I love you so much Dad, more than words can say,” she posted.
That bond with her father-and her ability to stand her ground on tough sets-continues to shape her career as both actress and filmmaker.
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