Bonded by a similar background and a shared love for comedy, it's difficult to imagine what Andy Griffith and Don Knotts couldn't do when working together. Although Knotts originally joined The Andy Griffith Show as Barney Fife, Griffith quickly realized that Knotts had talent behind the scenes and invited Knotts to join the writing room that developed episodes for the series.

Andy Griffith had the seat Don Knotts used during table readings bronzed and sent it as a goodbye gift when Knotts left the series

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Herbie J Pilato

It's been three years since beloved actress Betty Lynn passed away at 95 years old in 2021. As Thelma Lou on TV's 1960s classic sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-68), actress Lynn was the ideal girl next door. As girlfriend to series star Don Knotts, who played Deputy Barney Fife to Griffith's lead Sheriff Andy Taylor, Lynn made Barney's heart flutter, and maybe a few home viewers too.

In Memory of 'Andy Griffith Show' Actress Betty Lynn ('Thelma Lou'): 3 Years After Her Demise

Los Angeles County, CA

Actress Anea Corsaut left an indelible impression as little Ronny Howard's TV teacher and Andy Griffith's on-screen girlfriend-turned-wife on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968). However, she died too young, from cancer at only 62 years old in 1995. Here's a brief look back at her life and career.

The Hollywood Life of Aneta Corsaut ('The Andy Griffith Show'): 3 Decades After Her Tragic Death

You'd think starring in a classic TV show would set you up for life, right? Maybe not "chauffeured Rolls Royce"-levels of wealth, but at the very least, you'd expect an actor would be taken care of. For many stars of TV's yesteryear, that was the case. They might not have been millionaires living in mansions, but they certainly weren't destitute, either.

Max Baer, Jr.: ''We were not paid very well'' on the Beverly Hillbillies

During the late 1960s, television took a turn away from Westerns, violence and shows about gunslinging heroes. Television started trading them in for medical dramas and comedy-based sitcoms and variety shows. The '60s brought a strong anti-violence movement aimed at many TV shows. One of the existing shows to be...

Here's why Milburn Stone didn't want to get rid of all the violence in Gunsmoke

Los Angeles, CA

He was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and died as actor James Arness on June 3, 2011, in Los Angeles, CA. Best known as the iconic Marshall Matt Dillion who ruled over Dodge City on TV's long-running and beloved Western, Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1975), Arness was 88 years old.

'Gunsmoke' Actor James Arness and His Touching Last Words To Fans: 13 Years After His Tragic Death

Terry Wilson's career reached new heights with his role as "Bill Hawks" in the television series 'Wagon Train,' which aired from 1957 to 1965. As the loyal and dependable wagon master, Wilson's portrayal endeared him to audiences and solidified his place in television history. 2 / 5. 'Wagon Train' cast:...

'Wagon Train': THIS Is Terry Wilson's Sad Cause Of Death

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all commentary and quotes that appear in this article are from an interview conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. After he played little Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968) and before he portrayed Richie Cunningham on Happy Days(ABC, 1973-1984), he played Bob Smith on The Smith Family (ABC, 1971-1972). Today, he's award-winning director Ron Howard, which is how he was billed as first an actor on Happy Days. However, on both the Griffith and Smith shows he was known as Ronny Howard.

After Opie on 'Andy,' and Before Richie on 'Happy Days,' Ron Howard was Bob on 'The Smith Family'

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze were THE dream couple of the eighties. On the big screen, they not only danced a beautiful dance, but they were also the perfect pair of lovers. Dirty Dancing is a famous movie. It starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. Learn more about their relationship...

'Dirty Dancing': The Truth Behind Jennifer Grey & Patrick Swayze's Relationship

Woman's World

Television audiences loved each cast member of The Beverly Hillbillies, whether it be Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett, Irene Ryan as Granny, Donna Douglas as Elly May Clampett or Max Baer Jr. as cousin (though he always referred to Jed as “uncle”) Jethro Bodine. Sadly, of them all, the only one still with us is Baer.

Max Baer Jr.: 11 Facts About Jethro Bodine from ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’

He was an actor who played his most famous role with lovable hesitation, literally, on screen, and that became his trademark. His name was Howard McNear, who became best known for portraying Floyd Lawson, the befuddled but delightful barber onThe Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968). Sadly, only one year after the series ended, McNear died tragically from a stroke, at only 63 years old. This is his story.

The Challenging Life of Howard McNear (Floyd on 'Andy Griffith'): 55 Years After His Tragic Death

As a comedian, you should be prepared for anything an audience throws at you. Worse than heckles, some actors have had things like eggs or tomatoes thrown at them. While we can't condone violence, having something thrown at you usually means that you're not as funny as you might have hoped to be.

Don Knotts suffered a chicken-related prank on the set of The Andy Griffith Show

And you thought Fonzie was a tough co-star... When people discuss Ron Howard's career, they typically focus on one of three topics. There's, of course, his earliest successes as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, where he won the hearts of millions by listening to his paw and being a good boy.

Here's how Ron Howard felt about working with John Wayne in The Shootist

There's no modern comparison for how big of a deal The Fonz was. Nothing today reaches that level of exposure and market saturation. The culture has become so fragmented that no single character is as popular now as Fonzie was then. There's no 1:1 analog— especially in the world of sitcoms— that you could say to a kid, "Oh, Fonzie was this popular back in the day."

Marion Ross on her feelings regarding The Fonz

Hawaii State

Closer Weekly

Gilligan’s Island star Tina Louise admitted that she never expected her iconic role of Ginger Grant to last as long as it did. “I thought it was going to just last six months, but it seemed to go on forever,” Tina, 90, confessed with a laugh during a recent appearance on New York Living this month.

Tina Louise Never Expected ‘Gilligan’s Island’ to Last 3 Seasons: ‘I Didn’t Really Want to Do It’

He’s played many roles over his five-decade career, but Johnny Gage, the young hotshot paramedic of Emergency! continues to follow Randolph Mantooth. “One time on a plane, I was asked to prep an IV for a passenger whose blood sugar dropped,” Randy, 78, tells Closer. “I looked at my wife, Kristen, who mouthed to me,...

Randolph Mantooth Reveals How He ‘Screwed Up So Badly’ as Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’ Page

Everybody in Mayberry was important to The Andy Griffith Show. Each citizen had their place, and the show shifted dramatically whenever a character left. But, no character was funnier than Barney. He was the perfect foil for Andy's voice-of-reason Sheriff Taylor. While it's called The Andy Griffith Show, it's pretty...

Which ''Barney'' episode is your favorite?

Taste of Country

If you were waiting for the The Facts of Life reboot, don't hold your breath. Mindy Cohn, who played main character Natalie Green on the show, revealed that one "greedy b---h" was the reason why a reboot never happened. During an appearance on SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live show, Cohn explained...

‘Facts of Life”s Mindy Cohn Says One ‘Greedy’ Costar Killed the Reboot

HELLO

NCIS: Origins has revealed a first look at its main cast – and young Gibbs looks just like Mark Harmon's version of the character!

NCIS: Origins reveals first look at main cast – and young Gibbs is Mark Harmon's double

Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Morgan Freeman might’ve been one of the most imposing actors Jim Carrey ever worked with in ‘Bruce Almighty’. Actor Jim Carrey collaborated with Morgan Freeman for the first time in the hit movie Bruce Almighty. Although Carrey enjoyed working with his co-star, Freeman’s intensity took some getting used to.

Jim Carrey Once Called Working With Morgan Freeman Uncomfortable in ‘Bruce Almighty’

NewsBreak

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts would do bits from The Andy Griffith Show at parties to entertain the guests

Going to a party attended by Andy Griffith and Don Knotts already seems like a dream come true, but we'll do you one better. What if...

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts would do bits from The Andy Griffith Show at parties to entertain the guests

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