Names carry weight. Some carry legends. When you’re born into a family where your mom is an Oscar nominee and your dad is a respected character actor, expectations are already sky-high. But then they name you after the greatest baseball player to ever pick up a bat.
Gideon Babe Ruth Howard entered the world on June 15, 1997. He didn't ask for the "Babe Ruth" middle name, but he's carried it ever since. Honestly, if you saw that name on a class roster, you’d probably assume the parents were either huge Yankees fans or just really into American folklore. In this case, it was Debra Winger and Arliss Howard.
They weren't just picking a name out of a hat. They were making a statement.
The Story Behind the Name
The world knows Debra Winger from Terms of Endearment and An Officer and a Gentleman. She’s famous for being incredibly talented and, frankly, for not putting up with Hollywood's usual nonsense. When she married Arliss Howard—you might recognize him from Full Metal Jacket or Moneyball—they became one of those low-key power couples who actually value their privacy.
Naming their son Gideon Babe Ruth Howard was a bold choice. Why "Babe Ruth"? While the couple hasn't spent decades explaining it to every tabloid, it’s basically an homage to the "Sultan of Swat." It’s a name that feels big. It feels classic. It feels distinctly American.
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Gideon grew up in a household that wasn't exactly typical. His older half-brother, Noah Hutton (from Winger's previous marriage to Timothy Hutton), is a filmmaker. His other brother, Sam Howard, is also in the mix.
Imagine being the kid named Babe Ruth at the dinner table. You've gotta have a sense of humor about it.
Life Out of the Spotlight
You won't find Gideon Howard splashed across TMZ or TikTok every five minutes. That’s intentional. His parents were always protective. Even so, he has made sporadic appearances at industry events over the years.
Back in 2014, photographers caught a glimpse of him at the premiere of Locke in New York. A year later, he was at the BAMcinemaFest for The End of the Tour. Most recently, in early 2024, he was seen on the red carpet with his mother for the premiere of Drive-Away Dolls.
He doesn't look like he’s trying to be a "nepo baby" influencer. He looks like a guy who’s comfortable in his own skin, standing next to a mom who happens to be a legend.
Why People Are Still Googling Him
It’s the name. It’s always the name. People search for Gideon Babe Ruth Howard because they think there might be a secret baseball connection. Is he a secret pro athlete? No. Is he the reincarnation of the Bambino? Probably not.
But in a sea of celebrities naming their kids "North" or "Apple," there’s something oddly refreshing about a kid named after a 1920s sports icon. It’s a name that sounds like it belongs in a history book and a trendy Brooklyn coffee shop at the same time.
What He’s Doing Now
Gideon is now in his late twenties. While he hasn't chased the blockbuster fame of his parents, he’s stayed connected to the arts. He’s been involved in theater and has appeared in credits for independent projects.
Honestly, that’s the "Winger-Howard" way. They do the work, they skip the fluff.
If you're looking for Gideon Howard to start a reality show, don't hold your breath. He seems perfectly content being the guy with the coolest middle name in the room while letting his work—whatever that may be—speak for itself.
What We Can Learn From the Howard Family
There’s a lesson here about legacy. You can have a famous name and still choose a quiet life. You can be named after a giant and still be your own person.
If you’re interested in following the careers of this creative family, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Check out Arliss Howard’s directorial work. He’s directed several projects where the family vibe is strong, including Big Bad Love.
- Revisit Debra Winger’s recent roles. She’s been doing fantastic work in series like The Ranch and films like Drive-Away Dolls.
- Look for the name Gideon Howard in credits. He often pops up in the "Special Thanks" or assistant roles in high-quality independent cinema.
The name Gideon Babe Ruth Howard might have been what caught your attention, but the way he’s handled the shadow of that name—and his parents' fame—is what’s actually impressive.