As a child actor, Ron Howard was well-known for his role as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show in the 1960s. His father, Rance Howard, played a significant role in Ron’s early career, frequently accompanying him on set and contributing to the series.
In a 2016 interview shortly before his passing, Rance shared insights about his relationship with Andy Griffith and why they didn’t become closer friends.
Rance was an accomplished actor in his own right, having established a career before Ron gained fame. He had even toured with legendary actor Henry Fonda in the 1950s, which helped bridge connections for Ron later on.
Reflecting on his experiences, Ron mentioned, “I had the advantage that my dad had toured with Henry Fonda. He was really talkative and liked my dad, which helped me learn a lot about acting and film.”
During an appearance on the podcast Two Chairs No Waiting, Rance discussed his family’s feelings toward Griffith, emphasizing their fondness for him without the closeness typical of best friends. “We liked Andy. We loved Andy,” Rance explained, but noted, “We didn’t socialize with Andy. We didn’t run over to his place and swim in his pool.”
Rance elaborated on their relationship, describing Griffith as a “private person.” He acknowledged their friendship but clarified that it didn’t reach the level of intimacy seen in Griffith’s relationships with others, like Don Knotts. “We were good friends, but we weren’t buddy buddies,” he said. Rance suggested that their similarities—both valuing privacy and having independent natures—kept them from becoming truly close friends. “Andy had a few really close friends, and I can’t count myself among them,” he concluded.
