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

Anything for a Laugh

Andy always loved to call Don by his real name Jesse (or Jess), which drove Don crazy because he didn’t like his real name very much. The cast once pranked Andy by stealing his shoes, forcing him to wear his Sheriff boots home from on set. The pranking even made it on screen and was written into various episodes. Andy and Don’s friendship carried on throughout their lives and Andy was even at Don’s bedside when he died in 2006.

Andy recounted the last words he said to his friend: “I know that he could hear me, and we all believe that he could hear my voice.” “I told him that I loved him, and I told him…I said ‘Jess, breathe. You’ve gotta make this, you’ve gotta pull through. Breathe.’ And you know, I saw his chest heave, and I said ‘That’s a boy. Keep breathing. Just keep breathing.’ And his shoulder moved, so I believe he heard my voice.” Andy died only six years later, at the age of 86.

Interesting Opie Facts

The Andy Griffith Show has one of the most iconic openings in television history. In the opening credits, Andy and Opie walk along to go fishing, while the whistled theme song plays. On their way, Opie is shown to toss rocks into the lake. This was only a case of movie magic, however, as little Opie was not strong enough to throw the stones such a distance. Opie was of course played by actor/director Ron Howard who was only six years old at the time. Originally, they filmed several attempts, but eventually a prop man had to be hidden in the bush. Opie would pretend to throw a rock and the prop man would be the one really throwing it.

If you look closely you will probably notice a lag between Opie’s throw and the actual splash. Opie’s name came from a famous band leader from the 1930s and 1940s, named Opie Cates. Andy Griffith and Sheldon Leonard, a producer, where both huge fans of Opie Cate’s music and decided to choose his name as that of Andy’s son. Ron Howard has of course gone on to become mega-famous as a director, even surpassing his acting career.