During its eight-season run, The Andy Griffith Show featured several love interests for Sheriff Andy Taylor, with Peggy McMillan, portrayed by Joanna Moore, standing out as one of his more serious romantic partners. Peggy’s tenure in Mayberry ended just before Helen Crump, Andy’s eventual wife, made her entrance.
Although Peggy appeared in only a handful of episodes, she left a significant mark on fans, many of whom believe that Andy had better chemistry with Moore than with Helen. So why was Peggy written off the show?
Rumors of an Affair Between Joanna Moore and Andy Griffith
In Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show, a 2015 book by Daniel de Visé, it’s suggested that Moore and Griffith shared a closer relationship off-screen. While their on-screen romance didn’t resonate with the show’s creators, rumors circulated that they had an affair.
Moore wasn’t Griffith’s only romantic interest; his affair with Aneta Corsaut, who played Helen Crump, was also widely rumored on set. Griffith was so taken with Corsaut that he even proposed to her while still married to his first wife.
The Reason Behind Peggy McMillan’s Departure
Despite the rumors surrounding Griffith and Moore, her exit from The Andy Griffith Show was reportedly not related to their alleged romance. Instead, it was decided that Moore’s character didn’t quite fit the show’s overall vibe. Sources indicated that Peggy was considered too “glamorous” for the small-town setting of Mayberry, and her wealthy background posed a potential obstacle for a serious relationship with Andy.
As a result, the writers opted not to pursue the relationship further. Shortly after Peggy’s departure, Helen Crump was introduced, solidifying her place in Andy’s life.
What Happened to Joanna Moore After Leaving the Show?
Though Joanna Moore’s time on The Andy Griffith Show was brief, she continued her career in television and film, appearing in numerous projects, including several Alfred Hitchcock productions. However, she faced personal challenges, including struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, which affected her family life. She ultimately lost custody of her two children, Tatum and Griffin O’Neal, to her second husband, Ryan O’Neal.
Moore passed away in 1997 from lung cancer at the age of 63. Despite her challenges, she is remembered for her contributions to television and film.
