What Ever Happened to the Cast ofThe Andy Griffith Show?

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Ron Howard on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’.Photo:John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Griffith played Andy Taylor, a widowed sheriff who was kind and considerate — but kept everyone in line when he had to. Don Knotts played Barney Fife, Andy’s cousin and deputy who often got up to major hijinks.Ron Howardplayed Andy’s lovable son Opie. Frances Bavier played Andy’s Aunt Bee, who helped take care of the house.

The Andy Griffith Showhas been in syndication for decades, amusing original fans plus thousands of new ones every year. Ahead, here’s what happened to the cast ofThe Andy Griffith Show.

01of 07

Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor

Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1960 (left); Andy Griffith in 2004 (right).CBS via Getty; SGranitz/WireImage

CBS via Getty; SGranitz/WireImage

Andy Griffith decided to leaveThe Andy Griffith Showin 1968, ending the series. He told PEOPLE in 1979 that he regretted that decision. The nine years that followed were a “dry spell,” he said. “I did five pilots that got nowhere, had two series that flopped."

“A deep panic set in,” he said of his career. In the ‘70s, he appeared in miniseries likeCentennial,From Here to EternityandRoots: The Next Generations. Then in 1983, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and was paralyzed for three months. Recuperation took six months of physical therapy.

Griffith was married to Barbara Bray Edwards from 1949 to 1972. He was married to Solica Cassuto from 1973 to 1981. In 1983, he married Cindi Knight, who was with him until his death. “It’s a splendid marriage,” Griffith told PEOPLE in 1986. “Our thrust in life is to bring joy to each other.”

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Ron Howard as Opie

Ron Howard as Opie on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1962 (left); Ron Howard in 2024 (right).CBS via Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty

CBS via Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty

Ron Howard seemingly predicted his future, when, at age 6, he told Griffith and the show’s producers that he wanted to be a “writer-producer-director.” They bought him his first camera. “Andy was like a wonderful uncle to me,” he told PEOPLE in 1986. “He created an atmosphere of hard work and fun that I try to bring to my movies.”

Still, in the middle of that success, his first series remained special to him. Of the 1986The Andy Griffith Showreunion, he told PEOPLE, “I didn’t think the experience would live up to my expectations. But the feelings are still there.”

Howard leftHappy Daysin 1980 to focus on his directing career. His first film was 1982’sNight Shiftand in 1984 he found major success withSplash. At the time, he explained to PEOPLE how edifying it was. “It’s not like people always ran around saying I was a joke, but this is the realization of the potential people thought I had. It is real gratifying,” he said.

Howard’s many successful films includeThe Paper,A Beautiful Mind,Frost/Nixon,How the Grinch Stole ChristmasandCinderella Man. In 2002,A Beautiful Mindwon him the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. He is also a six-time Emmy winner, for projects includingArrested Development,Curious GeorgeandJim Henson Idea Man. He also won a Grammy forThe Beatles: Eight Days a Week.

Howardmarried Cheryl Alley, his high school sweetheart, in 1975. Theyshare four children: Paige, Jocelyn, Reed and actressBryce Dallas Howard.

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Don Knotts as Barney Fife

Don Knotts as Barney Fife in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1962; (left); Don Knotts in 2003 (right).CBS Photo Archive/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

CBS Photo Archive/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

For his role as Barney Fife, Don Knotts won five Emmys and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest comic actors of all time. “Andy and I just clicked,” Knotts told PEOPLE in 1986 of his bond with Griffith. At the time, he called the series “the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Knotts left the series in 1965, believing that the show was going to end. He signed a contract with Universal and appeared in movies likeThe Ghost and Mr. ChickenandHow to Frame a Figg. Knotts also appeared in a series of Disney movies in the ‘70s, includingThe Apple Dumpling Gang,GusandHerbie Goes to Monte Carlo.

Knotts was married to Kathryn Metz from 1947 to 1964; they shared children Thomas and Karen, an actress. Knotts was married to Loralee Czuchna from 1974 until they split in 1983. In 2002, he married Frances Yarborough. They were together until his 2006 death at age 81.

04of 07Frances Bavier as Aunt BeeFrances Bavier as Aunt Bee in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1965.CBS via GettyBavier played Aunt Bee on bothThe Andy Griffith ShowandMayberry R.F.D.from 1960 to 1970, making her the longest-tenured character in Mayberry. She won an Emmy for her role in 1967. She also appeared in one episode ofGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.“Many episodes focused on her and she was essential to the success of the show,” John Meroney, founder of theAndy Griffith ShowAppreciation Society, told theLos Angeles Timesin 1989. “When she started on the show she was 57 and had more experience going in than any of the other cast members. She was the only one from a large city and the fact that she could portray Aunt Bee showed the depth of her talent.” She rarely gave interviews.In 1972, she retired from acting and moved to Siley City, N.C., which was often mentioned as a neighbor of Mayberry. She died in 1989 at age 86.

04of 07

Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee

Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1965.CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

Bavier played Aunt Bee on bothThe Andy Griffith ShowandMayberry R.F.D.from 1960 to 1970, making her the longest-tenured character in Mayberry. She won an Emmy for her role in 1967. She also appeared in one episode ofGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

“Many episodes focused on her and she was essential to the success of the show,” John Meroney, founder of theAndy Griffith ShowAppreciation Society, told theLos Angeles Timesin 1989. “When she started on the show she was 57 and had more experience going in than any of the other cast members. She was the only one from a large city and the fact that she could portray Aunt Bee showed the depth of her talent.” She rarely gave interviews.

In 1972, she retired from acting and moved to Siley City, N.C., which was often mentioned as a neighbor of Mayberry. She died in 1989 at age 86.

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Aneta Corsaut as Helen Crump

Aneta Corsaut as Helen Crump on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in 1964 (left); Aneta Corsaut in ‘Matlock’ in 1992.CBS via Getty; Paramount+

CBS via Getty; Paramount+

Aneta Corsaut played Helen Crump, Sheriff Andy Taylor’s girlfriend, onThe Andy Griffith Show. She had made her film debut in 1958’sThe Blobalongside Steve McQueen. Helen and Andy married in the first episode ofMayberry R.F.D.

Corsaut continued to act after the series, appearing on episodes ofGunsmoke,Columbo,Emergency!andHouse Calls. She also appeared multiple times onMatlockalongside Griffith and Knotts.

Corsaut died in 1995 at age 62.

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Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle

Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ in the 1960s (left); Jim Nabors at the 2014 Indianapolis 500 (right).Bettmann Archive/Getty; Michael Hickey/Getty

Bettmann Archive/Getty; Michael Hickey/Getty

In 2013,Nabors married Stan Cadwallader, his partner of 38 years. They’d met in the ‘70s when Cadwallader was a firefighter in Honolulu. They wed in Seattle, shortly after gay marriage became legal in Washington state.

“I’m 82 and he’s in his 60s and so we’ve been together for 38 years and I’m not ashamed of people knowing, it’s just that it was such a personal thing, I didn’t tell anybody,” Nabors toldHawaii News Nowat the time. “I’m very happy that I’ve had a partner of 38 years and I feel very blessed. And, what can I tell you, I’m just very happy.” He also told the outlet that when he worked in Hollywood, he wasn’t public about his sexuality, but his coworkers knew.

Nabors died in 2017 at 87.

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George Lindsey as Goober Pyle

George Lindsey as Goober Pyle in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ (left); George Lindsey in 2004( right).CBS via Getty; SBM/PictureLux/Alamy

CBS via Getty; SBM/PictureLux/Alamy

George Lindsey’sThe Andy Griffith Showcharacter was originally Goober Beasley, but he was later renamed so he could be a cousin of Gomer Pyle. Reflecting on the series when he filmed the reunion in 1986, he told PEOPLE, “This was a family that we all grew up with. They’re going to have to bury me in my Goober hat.” The character also appeared regularly onMayberry R.F.D.

Lindsey was married to Joyanne Herbert from 1955 to 1991 when they divorced. They shared son George Jr. and daughter Camden. He was in a relationship with Anne Wilson until his death at 83 in 2012.

source: people.com