Facts About The Andy Griffith Show
- Facts About The Andy Griffith Show: Immerse yourself in the charming world of The Andy Griffith Show, a beloved series that brought the heart of rural North Carolina to life in the fictional town of Mayberry! Filmed at the iconic Desilu Studios in Burbank, California, this gem was created by the brilliant minds of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who not only changed television with their iconic show I Love Lucy but also paved the way for countless others. Originally gracing our screens from 1960 to 1968, this timeless classic captures the essence of humor and deep emotional resonance, showcasing life lessons that resonate with us all through the eyes of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his cherished friends and family.
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Andy Griffith: A Spinoff
2. The Andy Griffith Show was not an altogether original concept. It was in fact a spinoff of The Danny Thomas Show
3. Andy Griffith and Don Knotts were best friends in life outside the TV Show. Andy was with Don during his finally moments before passing away on February 24th, 2006
4. The Andy Griffith Show did not wane in popularity and get canceled like many sitcoms did. They went out at the top of their game and because of this, reruns have never become stale and/or unpopular
“I always enjoy cutting Barney’s hair. His ears kind of wing out and it gives you room to work.”
— Floyd the Barber
Was Mayberry Actually a Real Town?
5. The fictional town of Mayberry was based on Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina. To this day, many traveler’s visit Mount Airy’s quaint bed and breakfast spots to take in some of that wonderful nostalgia
“Sheriff Andy Taylor: There goes a happy man.
Deputy Barney Fife: There goes a happy nut.”
- Episode when Ernest T. Bass Joins the Army
6. The character of Barney Fife was created as an incidental figure and was not suppose to last out the first season. The producers were so impressed with the acting of Don Knotts that they wrote him in as a permanent fixture. The rest is history
7. The original theme song for the show had lyrics and was sung by Everett Sloane. The producers later decided that the whistling was more “hometown”
8. Of the show’s 250 episodes, 160 were in black and white, while 90 were in color
Producers initially aimed to make Andy’s character similar to Will Stockdale from “No Time For Sergeants,” but soon recognized that a more composed figure was necessary to counterbalance the zany cast of The Andy Griffith Show.
Ernest T. Bass: “I’m no account, Andy”
Sheriff Andy Taylor: “You’re not no-count, Earnest. You’re just ignorant, that’s all”
Ernest T. Bass: “Aw, you’re being kind.”
Andy Griffith – After the Show
10. Not only did Andy Griffith continue acting in many fabulous roles, his co-stars Don Knotts and Ron Howard didn’t do so bad as well.
Who can forget Don as the wacky Mr Furley on the hit sitcom Three’s Company and, of course, Ron Howard went on to star as Richie Cunningham in the hit show Happy Days and also scooped up an Oscar for his movie “A Beautiful Mind“
The Cast
- Andy Griffith – Andy Taylor
- Ron Howard – Opie Taylor
- Frances Bavier – Aunt Bee Taylor
- Don Knotts – Barney Fife
- Colin Male – Announcer
- George Lindsey – Goober Pyle
- Howard McNear – Floyd Lawson
- Tom Jacobs – Townsman
- Aneta Corsaut – Helen Crump
- Jack Dodson – Howard Sprague
- Hal Smith – Otis Campbell
- Hope Summers – Clara Edwards
- Betty Lynn – Thelma Lou
- Jim Nabors – Gomer Pyle
- Paul Hartman – Emmett Clark
- Mary Lansing – Martha Clark
- Burt Mustin – Jud Fletcher
- Robert McQuain – Joe Waters
- Richard Keith – Johnny Paul Jason
- Elinor Donahue – Ellie Walker
- Jack Burns – Deputy Warren Ferguson
- Dick Elliott – Mayor Pike
- Joseph Hamilton – Chester Jones
- Joseph Crehan – Townsman
- Sheldon Collins – Arnold Bailey
- Allan Melvin – Clarence ‘Doc’ Malloy
- Dennis Rush – Howie Pruitt
- Roy Engel – A Townsman
- Howard Morris – Ernest T. Bass
- Ronda Jeter – Karen Burgess
- Parley Baer – Mayor Roy Stoner
- Charles Thompson – Asa Breeney
- Denver Pyle – Briscoe Darling
- Cheerio Meredith – Emma Brand
Howard Morris played four distinct parts on The Andy Griffith Show across eight total appearances.
His roles included:
Ernest T. Bass (five episodes, plus the reunion movie Return to Mayberry)
George the TV Repairman (one episode, "Andy and Helen Have Their Day")
Leonard Blush (an unseen character, as a voice actor)
A Radio Announcer (an unseen role, as a voice actor in two episodes)
Morris also directed eight episodes of the series.
Andy Griffith: Recording Artist
Andy Griffith was a successful recording artist famous for his gospel and country music, notably achieving a top ten hit with “What It Was, Was Football” in 1965.
He also produced comedy and spoken word albums. In addition to his entertainment career, Griffith was a committed philanthropist, supporting organizations such as the United Way and the Salvation Army, and played a role in founding the North Carolina Arts Council.
He founded the Andy and Barbara Griffith Scholarship Fund to aid students from his hometown of Mount Airy in accessing higher education.
Griffith’s impact as a beloved cultural icon left a lasting legacy of laughter, music, and philanthropy when he passed away in 2012.
