Ron Howard is pleased with his younger brother Clint, who recently appeared on the daytime serial drama The Bold and the Beautiful as down-and-out singer Tom Starr. (Onscreen, he died due to poisoning.)

The 71-year-old Oscar winner and Happy Days veteran thinks it’s “not surprising” that Clint, 65, was cast in the globally popular drama series. “He is a great character actor and so recognizable, and so people are always excited when he shows up in something,” Ron told the publication. “I think he came in to do one episode, but he got a character run.” He’s creative, unusual, and a talented individual.”

Clint has appeared in 17 Ron-directed films, including Grand Theft Auto, Cocoon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Parenthood, and Apollo 13. “He’s wonderful to work with. He’s seen and done it all,” adds Ron, who executive produced the recently released Apple TV+ documentary series Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series.

He says, “He’s a professional who helps. When I had the opportunity to cast him in anything substantial, I never pressured him. But every time I cast Clint, I know I won’t have to worry about that role.”

A bonus? They chuckle between takes. “I’ll have some laughs standing around in between setups,” Ron jokes. “He does not hold his tongue around his big brother, which is very welcome by all.”

Clint addressed PEOPLE about his job on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2024, saying, “You’re handed a lot of scenes to do, and you’d better be prepared.”

According to the speaker, his parents, Rance and Jean Howard, instilled in him the importance of being prepared for work from an early age. And then, knowing that in soap operas, you might be handed a lot of speech and have to learn it. You must understand it. You need to be able to provide it. You must be agile.

During a 2021 visit on The Drew Barrymore Show to promote his novel The Boys: A Novel of Hollywood and Family, Clint discussed what working alongside his brother taught him.

“I learned my lesson early on,” Clint explained. “I was probably in my early twenties, but I had to realize that he is ultimately the boss.” He is making the decisions.”

He said, “I adore my brother. He’s an excellent elder brother. He’s a hall-of-fame film director, and he’s a better big brother than he is a filmmaker.”