After spending years on “The Andy Griffith Show” as Opie, there’s no doubt Ron Howard developed a close relationship with his on-screen father, Andy Griffith.
Howard, who worked with the actor for years, always had respect for Griffith for how he could create a great working environment for the cast and crew of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
When he was just a child, Howard joined the cast and appeared on the beloved show for all eight seasons. As he grew up on the set, audiences at home also got to watch him grow up.
Despite making a name for himself in Hollywood, he never forgot the show that gave him his start. In 2010, Howard described what it was like to work with Andy Griffith.
Ron Howard On Working With Andy Griffith: ‘He Made It A Learning Experience’
In 2010 Ron Howard commented on his relationship with Griffith. Before Griffith passed away in 2012, Howard recalled what it was like to work with Griffith.
“He treated me really well. He made it a learning experience, not in a stern, taskmaster kind of a way. I was allowed a real insight into creativity and how things work and why some scenes were funny and others weren’t. That insight has served me really well over the years. Andy was really kind to me, always playful and fun. By the same token, he wanted to get the work done.”
After Griffith passed away, Howard took to social media to pay his respects to Griffith. He acknowledged that he is “forever grateful” for Griffith’s influence on his life as well as his work.
Born in 1954, both his parents worked in the entertainment industry. His father worked as an actor and director, and his mother worked as an actress. At six years old, Howard booked his part on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Howard has gone to work on significant Hollywood projects, including Solo: A Star Wars Story, A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, The Da Vinci Code, and Angels & Demons.
Despite his success in his adult career, it’s a safe bet Howard’s career would’ve looked much different had it not been for the show and his relationship with Griffith.
