Crazy Secrets You Didn’t Know About The Andy Griffith Show. Bonus: What The Stars Look Like Today!

Even the most popular television shows that people watch again and again have bits of behind-the-scenes secrets and details about the cast members you may not know of. Here we dig into the lesser known aspects of the Andy Griffith show. What was it that fans mailed to Don Knotts? Which episode was Andy Griffith’s favorite? And who was that mysterious actor who played Mr. Schwamp? From what happened to Opie’s mother to the actors who had real-life drama behind the scenes, click through to learn secrets of the Andy Griffith Show.

Real-Life Besties

Many viewers didn’t know that the loving relationship exhibited by Don and Andy on the show came from their real-life friendship. Both of them grew up in the South during the Great Depression, living in poverty.

A Life-Long Bond

Their friendship began when they met as co-stars in the 1958 film adaptation of the Broadway play No Time for Sergeants—and it lasted for the rest of their lives. Andy was with Don at his bedside when Don passed away in 2006. Andy died six years later, at the age of 86.