Decades after putting Milwaukee on the map in "Happy Days," Ron Howard returned to the mid-west on Saturday for the 46th Chicago International Film Festival. The Windy City's fest presented Howard with the Silver Hugo Career Achievement Award.

"I try to make all kinds of different movies and I'm a big film lover. As an actor I was kind of limited in the things that I could do, but as a director it's been kind of unlimited," the Oscar winner tol ET. "I've been able to make dramas and fantasies and comedies and thrillers."

Actress Winona Ryder, who is currently working with Howard and Vince Vaughn on a comedy in Chicago, commended that "he's a real treasure to our industry." Another co-star, Kevin James, said the man of the hour brings "enthusiasm" to the set. Howard's friend Oscar winning producer Brian Grazer was also there to lend his support.

Olympic champ and "Dancing with the Stars" runner-up Evan Lysacek keeps some of Ron Howard's films in his luggage. He said, "I travel all around the world and a lot of times I take DVDs because it's my escape from the pressure of competition."

Some of Howard's most acclaimed films include 'Apollo 13,' 'Splash,' 'The Da Vinci Code,' and 'Frost/Nixon.' He won the Academy Award for 'A Beautiful Mind.'