Good Ol’ Mayberry: Behind The Scenes Info, Shocking Scandals, And More

Don Knotts and Andy Griffith were very close friends in real life, and many viewers don’t know that the relationship shown on screen is indicative of their loving friendship off screen. Don and Andy both grew up during the Great Depression in the South, and both of them grew up in poverty.

Don Knotts And Andy Griffith: Best Friends Forever

They both met before The Andy Griffith Show, actually meeting on Broadway while cast in the play No Time for Sergeants and their friendship lasted for the rest of their days. One facet of their friendship was that they loved to prank one another. Everyone on set was fair game but especially between Andy and Don.

Andy Griffith’s Scandalous Affair

Allegedly, the show’s romance carried over into real life with Andy Griffith and actress Aneta Corsaut. Andy was married at the time but was allegedly also dating Aneta. Who would’ve thought of such a thing with wholesome Andy Taylor? Helen Crump, portrayed by Aneta, was Sheriff Andy Taylor’s girlfriend on the show. While on the show, Aneta was also pursuing her education at UCLA.

Originally, the character of Helen Crump was only supposed to be on one episode and was given a horrible sounding name because they did not think she would be recurring. However, Aneta and Andy worked so well together that she ended up becoming a series regular, among other things. Andy ultimately got a divorce, and by the end of his lifetime had been married three separate times.