Don Knotts and Ron Howard: Distant Cousins and Beloved ‘Andy Griffith Show’ Family
The beloved sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show" not only entertained audiences but also forged a familial bond between its cast members. Now, over five decades later, it has been revealed that two of its most beloved characters, Barney Fife and Opie Taylor, played by Don Knotts and Ron Howard, respectively, are distant cousins.
Ron Howard, now renowned for his award-winning work behind the camera, shared a photo on Instagram from a late 1990s reunion with his former "Andy Griffith Show" co-stars, Andy Griffith and Knotts. In the caption, he revealed the surprising discovery: "It was recently confirmed that Don and I were actually distant cousins!"
Howard, who was cast as Opie at the tender age of five, expressed his deep gratitude for the role in his 2021 memoir, "The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family." He wrote, "I will forever owe a debt to Opie Taylor. The experience of inhabiting that character, walking a mile in his Keds, defined my early life."
The show’s enduring popularity, Howard believes, is due in part to Griffith’s insistence on authenticity. In an interview with Conan O’Brien, Howard recalled Griffith killing jokes that he deemed too slapstick or over-the-top, saying, "The South is plenty funny on its own without having to do slapstick and stuff."
Howard also revealed that Knotts and Griffith often improvised scenes featuring their characters’ workplace banter, filling in any gaps in the script. He praised Griffith for creating an environment where cast members were encouraged to contribute and make suggestions.
"Even as a six-year-old, I was in it," Howard reminisced, describing how Griffith would playfully mock his suggestions, only to eventually accept and incorporate them.
Howard shared another childhood memory from the set, when he suggested a change to a line at age seven. The director encouraged him to say it as he felt it should be said, which gave him a sense of empowerment and involvement.
"Griffith asked me, ‘What are you grinning at, youngin?’" Howard recounted. "After I told him it was the first suggestion of mine that the show had taken, Griffith waited a beat, then jokingly answered, ‘Well, it was the first one that was any damn good. Now, let’s rehearse the scene!’"
Howard credits Griffith and Knotts for fostering a spirit of collaboration on the show. "Andy was the world’s greatest audience for Don," he said. "Don had Andy literally in tears once a week. [I learned] about the spirit of collaboration, which I’ve carried with me forever."
In a touching tribute to his late father, Don Knotts’ daughter, Karen Knotts, spoke to Fox News Digital about their close relationship. "They weren’t rivals at all," she said. "Andy was my dad’s biggest fan. He was a mentor to him his whole life, and they loved each other dearly."
Karen Knotts also shared her favorite memory from the set of "The Andy Griffith Show," meeting Ron Howard. "He was just so different from any other kid I knew," she said. "We’re the same age and I thought he was just so mature."
The revelation of the distant cousin relationship between Don Knotts and Ron Howard adds a heartwarming layer to the already beloved "Andy Griffith Show" legacy. It is a testament to the enduring bonds that can be formed on set, and the legacy of laughter and warmth that these talented actors continue to bring to audiences around the world.
