At least now we know what happened. . Offers may be subject to change without notice. To learn more interesting facts about the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, be sure to stick with us here at Outsider. In another episode, Andy tells Barney that Aunt Bee is heavily against alcohol due to her brother's trouble with the bottle. Andy Griffith died on July 3, 2012 at the age of 86. The Andy Griffith Show's Peggy; The Tragic Life of Joanna Moore. with Ryan O'Neal and saw nothing in the appearances save the She is perhaps best remembered, however, for her down-home benevolent role of Peggy, the four-episode girlfriend of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) in the third season of TV's The Andy Griffith Show (1960). He also appears in the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. According to the Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram written at the time, she had trouble even hearing a phone ring or a radio turned all the way up. Everyone can participate. In early Season Three, Andy dated Peggy McMillan (Joanna Moore), another county nurse, who chalked up four appearances on the show. Soon, Joanna Moore went from small television parts to a recurring, 4-episode role as love interest to Andy Griffith on The Andy Griffith Show. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Moore made her final onscreen appearance in 1986, and died of lung cancer in 1997. For more, head on over to Elvis Presley: The Tragic Story of His Twin Brother, Jesse Garon Presley next. Within, Elvis down-home Toby rejects the advances of ever-alluring social worker Alicia Claypoole (Moore), an ally the films big bad. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Moore also made multiple appearances on The Millionaire, The United States Steel Hour, Route 66, Wagon Train, Alfred Hitchcock Presents (and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour), Hawaiian Eye, Alcoa Premiere, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Virginian, The High Chaparral, and The F.B.I. The newlywed Taylors remained in Mayberry, and Andy was featured on several episodes of the spinoff series. Other than being on hand to enter the drawing, nothing else is required.4. Also, I wanted to try my wings outside.. Played In an episode where Barney tries to find Andy a wife, Andy admits that he misses having a wife to come home to after work. On the rare occasion he needed a weapon fast, he would grab a rifle or shotgun from the rack in his office or from his car. In addition to Andy Griffith, she would book a role on Route 66, then role of a lifetime. She went on to become the youngest actor to ever win an Academy Award. Most women appearing on the show wore long skirts or dresses, but Joanna Moore brought a much-needed change when she appeared wearing ordinary pants. Andy is Mayberry's Sheriff and Justice of the Peace. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. The Andy Griffith Show was one of the most popular series on television from 1960 until 1968. According to her IMDb page, she played Mariam in The Odd Couple, Kate Honeycutt in Days of Our Lives, had a small role in Pretty Woman, and much more. The next year, she was arrested for drunk driving after getting into a fight while she and their children were visiting O'Neal's Malibu home. While Ellie isn't the first character to mysteriously disappear from a TV show (after it happened with Chuck Cunningham in Happy Days, they called doing this the Chuck Cunningham Syndrome), it can still feel unnerving to abruptly see them go without any explanation. She married Michael St. Clair in 1975. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. from 1960 to 1970. She later enrolled at Agnes Scott, a woman's college in Decatur, Georgia (near Atlanta).Around this time, Joanna won a local Georgia beauty contest that would take her straight to Hollywood. Their year of graduation was set in 1945, implying they were born between 1926-1928 (likely 1927). These working conditions, plus his reliance on a single deputy (and no clerk or jailer) indicate that the county is very small in both size and population; however, in the episode Mountain Wedding, Andy and Barney get up at four o'clock in the morning to get an "early start" on their trip to the Darlings' cabin, which is described as being "up in the mountains". She ended the decade with another second femme role in an "A" picture -- The Last Angry Man (1959) starring Oscar-nominated Paul Muni as a Jewish doctor and featuring Joanna in a romantic subplot involving married TV producer David Wayne.In the early 1960s, Joanna suffered severe auditory nerve loss (otosclerosis) to the point of having to read lips. Barney and Thelma Lou successfully match-make Andy and Thelma Lou's cousin Karen, but Barney's unfortunate way of describing the situation has Karen rifle-ready to shoot down Andy's supposed inflated ego. One of her recurring roles was as Sheriff Andy Taylor's love interest, Peggy "Peg" McMillan in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, from 1962 to 1963. in 1960. We just wish poor Ellie had been given a better send-off her character certainly deserved it! For instance, if you are watching Andy Griffith, you might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared. Moore was a guest star in such television Westerns as The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Rebel, The High Chaparral, The Wild Wild West and The Virginian. The Andy Griffith Show: Nurse Peggy Actress Joanna Moore Was Mother of Renowned Actress. She began as a lovely presence on such TV anthologies as "Lux Video Theatre," "Goodyear Theatre," "Studio One in Hollywood" and "Kraft Theatre," and also found work in top female lead and second lead roles in "B" movies. in: The Andy Griffith Show Cast Joanna Cook Moore Edit Joanna Cook Moore (November 10, 1934 - November 22, 1997) played Nurse Peggy McMillan on The Andy Griffith Show. Why did Peggy not stay on The Andy Griffith Show? Fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" know that Andy Taylor had no shortage of romantic interests throughout the eight seasons of the show. Don Knotts' Exit From 'The Andy Griffith Show' Explained 55 Years Later, The Cast of 'Happy Days', 36 Years Later, Honor Garry Marshall, Where Did 'Man with a Plan' Daughter Emme Go? Moore's career hit its peak in the 1960s. He also mentions being in France "during the war" in the episode, "Ellie Comes to Town". Andy did have an issued sidearm (a Colt Official Police revolver), but rarely saw cause to carry the weapon. Andy regularly used reverse psychology on people making them see the error of their ways. One of her recurring roles was as Sheriff Andy Taylor 's love interest, Peggy "Peg" McMillan in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, from 1962 to 1963. (Spoken by Andy when he's excited or surprised in a good way. [2], By the late 1970s, she was being supported financially by her daughter, Tatum, who had become an Academy Award-winning actress at age 10 and one of the highest-paid child stars of the era. Knotts received multiple accolades from the Army including the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, a Marksmanship Badge, and an Honorable Service Lapel Button. The experience kept Knotts dream of one day being a comedian alive. He walks her home and the two begin one of TVs favorite relationships. In 1975, she co-starred in the feature film The Hindenburg. Quite frankly, kidsI'm just some random old dude talking about nostalgic TV and movie stuff from a really long time ago and I highly doubt that it is going to interest you.LIVE STREAM CONTEST RULES:1. She was also in the movies Monster on Campus, The Hindenburg and my favorite, the Elvis Presley movie, Follow That Dream. The exceptionally good-looking couple became a popular Hollywood twosome and went on to have two children who also became actors: Tatum O'Neal and Griffin O'Neal. By the 1970s, her career began to wane because of drug and alcohol misuse. Frances Elizabeth Bavier (December 14, 1902 - December 6, 1989) was an American stage and television actress. Played Ike Gordon in "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1960. In an interview with the Akron Beacon Journal, she once said: "I liked the Griffith show better than anything else I've ever done. There are two explanations of the origin of the character's name. Andy is known to have shot only one man in his position as sheriff, which is the key event surrounding the episode High Noon in Mayberry. The producers created a long-term love interest in school teacher, Helen Crump. Played Postal Clerk in "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1960. By the late 1970s, Joanna, still abusing drugs and alcohol, had to be supported financially by daughter, Tatum, now an Oscar-winning film star. She played Taylor's girlfriend for four episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show.". Some will. in "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1960. Apparently, Andy shot the suspect in the leg years ago during an armed robbery; in the latter of the episode, the suspect returns to Mayberry to present Andy with a shotgun as a gesture for having forced him away from his criminal lifestyle, giving him a chance to rethink his life and get back on track. In 2015, grandson Kevin Jack McEnroe (son of Tatum and her then-husband/tennis star John McEnroe) published a gripping novel entitled Our Town, a "fictionalized account" of the damaging effects of substance abuse on a family. And Griffith was minus his screen partner Don Knotts. Played Brad Shelby in "Perry Like many shows of its time, The Andy Griffith Show also moved to color and lost some of its charm. Elinor, now 83 years old, went on to have an extremely successful career in both television and film. From Ellie Walker to Helen Crump to Peggy McMillan, the sheriff was quite the romantic soul. Her body may not still with us, but her giant spirit lives with me every day. Originally from New York theatre, she worked in film and television from the 1950s until the 1970s. Andy had a keen eye for booby traps, and often shielded Barney from both career and social landmines. He felt it was time and wanted to end it while the quality was still high. [3], On April 3, 1963, Moore married her third husband, actor Ryan O'Neal. The movie explained that Andy has retired as Postal Inspector in Cleveland and returned home to see Opie into fatherhood and seek the office of sheriff again. Played Fletch Roberts in "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1960. While he was a non-combatant during the war, he went on to become a highly-decorated soldier before starting his acting career. The Andy Griffith Show: Andy Taylors Girlfriend Peggy Did One Unique Thing on the Show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SAfW5bPbNY, Date Night | The Andy Griffith Show | TV Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SAfW5bPbNY). (1968-1971) and the reunion television film Return to Mayberry (1986). She was interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in her hometown of Americus, Georgia. During his time serving in the Army, Knotts joined the Stars and Gripes, an Army-sponsored variety show that toured the Pacific Islands. "The Andy Griffith Show," on which Moore played "Peggy 'Peg' McMillan," was the actress' most notable role. Why did Gomer Pyle leave Andy Griffith? [citation needed], Around the time of her separation from O'Neal, Moore began to misuse alcohol and drugs, namely amphetamines, and became addicted. When she was too feeble to care, Joanna was adopted locally by a well-to-do family and her name changed from Dorothy to Joanna. An operation restored her hearing in 1962. D David Riley 174 followers More information Episodes - YouTube "[3], For other people named Andrew Taylor, see, Mayberry's jail after a woman arrested for speeding (, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Andy Taylor easily named Best Pop Culture Dad", "Famous Fathers - Top Ten Favorite Television Dads of All Time", "Heldenfels' Mailbag: What happened to Nathan Fillion? Till then mama #joannamoore #dorthycook #southernbelle #americusga, A post shared by Tatum Oneal (@tatum__oneal). In the yearbook, Andy's middle name is listed as Jackson. Moore made her final onscreen appearance in 1986, and died of lung cancerin 1997. In 1967, Moore appeared as Daphne Harper, a snob and former college beauty queen chum of Darrin's, in the "Charlie Harper, Winner" episode of Bewitched. Unfortunately, Moore passed away in 1997 after a battle with lung cancer. However, outside of The Andy Griffith Show, Moore was also known for being married to fellow actor Ryan ONeal with whom she had two children, Griffin, and Tatum ONeal. She went on to become the youngest actor to ever win an Academy Award. Eight years is a long time to spend at one place, even Mayberry. ), "You beat everything, you know that?" The actress, Elinor Donahue, later admitted that she felt like she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry to portray a believable couple on screen, so she decided to leave the show. As a result, she was arrested five times for DUI during the 1980s. We're talking about pharmacist Ellie Walker, who had a pretty prominent role in Season 1. Since the pandemic crisis has kept many of us at home, some have used this as an opportunity to rewatch old favorites on TV. Howard McNear plays George within Follow That Dream, better known in Mayberry as barber Floyd. What caused Joanna Moore's death? Luckily, a surgery was able to correct her hearing loss and she went about her normal life in 1962. Joanna Moore Pictures", "Surgery Restores Hearing of Television Actress, Honking Truck Sounds 'Beautiful', "Tatum O'Neal on Redmond O'Neal: 'I've Never Seen a More Scary Side of Addiction', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joanna_Moore&oldid=1142160849, Angie Coe - Saloon Girl & Widow of Jesse Coe, Episode: "The Case of the Terrified Typist", Episode: "The Lass with the Poisonous Air", Episode: "There I Am - There I Always Am", Episode: "The Case of the Reluctant Model", Episode: "There Are No Problems, Only Opportunities", This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:14. And yet, after four measly episodes, she dis. The Perfect Female: Directed by Bob Sweeney. She also co-starred in the TV adaptation of Three Coins in the Fountain (1970) with Yvonne Craig and Cynthia Pepper and was seen fairly regularly on such late 1960's TV programs as "The Virginian," "Judd for the Defense," "The High Chaparral," "The F.B.I.," "The Name of the Game," "The Waltons," "Kung Fu," "Bronk," "Police Story," "Petrocelli" and "The Blue Knight. 1960. In this instance, Andy is behind the drugstore counter riffing to Aunt Bee about a perfume with a French name, so it could be that Andy is simply being facetious. Also, the sixth-season episode, "Aunt Bee Takes a Job" with co-star Jack Burns, Andy fires a gun (which he borrows from Deputy Warren Ferguson) to disable a car in order to capture some criminals. In an interview with the Akron Beacon Journal, she once said: When did Joanna Moore leave the andy griffith show? Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. Watchers were mournful when Mayberry's loveable Sherrif married Helen Crump instead of the beautiful town nurse. Moore herself enjoyed her time working with the cast and crew. Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. That same year she checked into a state hospital for psychiatric treatment. But by 1968, he was ready to move on to new projects. Andrew Samuel Taylor, Jr., wasn't seen or mentioned. Joanna Moore played Miss Peggy on the Andy Griffith Show so we take a trip to Americus Georgia where she is laid to rest so we could pay our respects and talk about her career. She started out promisingly as handsome George Nader's love interest in the film noir Appointment with a Shadow (1957), directed by Richard Carlson wherein both play crime reporters -- he with an alcohol problem. Played Bill Prior to playing one of our favorite television deputies, Barney Fife, actor Don Knotts actually served in the U.S. military. Why did Andy and Aunt Bee not get along? 1 1.Joanna Moore lost her hearing before becoming Andy's - MeTV; 2 2.8 things you might not know about Joanna Moore of The Andy ; 3 3.'Andy Griffith Show': Griffith and Joanna Moore Reportedly Had ; 4 4.Here's Why Miss Peggy DISAPPEARED Without a Trace from The ; 5 5.'The Andy Griffith Show': This Girlfriend of Andy's Had a Tragic Life Did leno ever do a cameo appearance on andy Griffith show, Continue Learning about General Arts & Entertainment. Although this may not seem like anything major, it was at the time in which The Andy Griffith Show was released. Moore was born Dorothy Joanne Cook in Americus, Georgia, the elder of two daughters of Dorothy Martha (ne English) and Henry Anderson Cook III. [2], In February 1975, she married roofing contractor Gary L. During the time, Moore also had an uncredited role as Angie, the widow of Jesse Cole, in Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen. The actress, Elinor Donahue, later admitted that she felt like she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry to portray a believable couple on screen, so she decided to leave the show. Through her marriage to actor Ryan O'Neal, she is the mother of two actors, Tatum O'Neal, and Griffin O'Neal. This is revealed in the episode "Andy's Baby." Did Andy Griffith ever kiss Helen on the show? After the divorce, she attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. He portrayed Barney Fife on the hit show from 1960 until 1965 (Seasons 1 to 5) until he decided to leave the show and his leading role behind. Griffith later admitted that it was his own fault. One of those was actress Joanna Moore, who played Nurse Peggy McMillan on The Andy Griffith Show. Shows like The Andy Griffith Show, which aired in the '60s, provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, which is much needed in times like these. While attending college, she entered and won a beauty contest and was brought to Hollywood. Andy Taylor lives in the fictional, sleepy community of Mayberry, North Carolina. From 1958 to 1959, Moore landed guest spots on television, including Westinghouse Studio One, Suspicion, The Rough Riders, Bourbon Street Beat, Bat Masterson, The Real McCoys, Maverick, The Rifleman, and Riverboat. As a teen, she married and quickly divorced Willis Moore in 1951. Joanna Moore plays Peggy. Sheriff Andrew Jackson "Andy" Taylor is the lead character on The Andy Griffith Show, an American sitcom which aired on CBS, (1960-1968).He also appears in the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. In total, Moore played more than eighty television and film roles. Andy Taylor appeared in all 249 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and was played by comedian, musician, and actor Andy Griffith. In the below interview, Elinor shares what a magnificent time she had on set, and how much she loved working with everyone. Barney's middle name is listed as Milton. The series tried with other actresses, like the ones who played Peggy (Joanna Moore) and Helen (Aneta Corsaut), but it was difficult to make the relationships look natural. Mary Tyler Moore would break through the stereotypes when she became the first woman to wear pants on a sitcom consistently. The two first appeared together in the episode Andys Rich Girlfriend. Andy and Peggy go on an absolutely hilarious double date alongside Barney and Thelma Lou. https://amzn.to/3iHFbYOBE PART OF MY COMMUNITY!FACEBOOK http://fb.me/dsremembers TWITTER https://twitter.com/jdsundstromYOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/c/jdsundstrom/YOUR PATREON SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Andy's pride in and love for his hometown is very evident in his work and his homelife. She was married to actor Ryan O'Neal and her daughter is the Oscar Winning Actress Tatum O'Neal.Andy Taylor shuns Miss Peggy for coffee https://youtu.be/mJ7bPqArnn8Joanna Moore sings \"Down in the Valley\" on the Andy Griffith Show https://youtu.be/FMJGuaNbXJ4Joanna Moore sings \"By the time you get to Phoenix\" https://youtu.be/xNfDXHU5mrs00:00 Intro00:21 Remembering Joanna Moore before she was famous02:10 Joanna goes to Hollywood03:04 Joanna becomes Andy Taylor's rich girlfriend04:16 Joanna co-stars with Elvis in Follow that Dream04:46 Joanna's family life06:22 Joanna can sing and cuts an answer song07:24 Joanna's struggles and life after Hollywood10:08 OutroI use TubeBuddy https://www.tubebuddy.com/BrotherTimI use Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/2de70k/Twitter @BrotherTimInstagram @TheBrotherTimMailing AddressPO Box 413 Holly Springs GA 30142#JoannaMoore #AndyGriffithShow #BrotherTim He appeared as Taylor in the first few episodes where he got married and eventually moved away, creating a smoother transition. Also that year, she made a second guest appearance on Perry Mason as Grace Olney in "The Case of the Reluctant Model". The actress, Elinor Donahue, later admitted that she felt like she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry to portray a believable couple on screen, so she decided to leave the show. Did Andy and Helen have a baby? From 1963 to 1967, she was married to actor Ryan O'Neal, with whom she had two children, Griffin O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal. She made appearances in The Rifleman,Wagon Train,Gunsmoke,The Rebel,The High Chaparral,andThe Virginian. Griffith and Knots would reprise their roles once again in 1986 for the Return to Mayberry special. Thankfully, Moore would soon find out she had otosclerosis a fully treatable bone growth in the middle ear. According to MeTV, she was the very first woman to wear pants on the show. Sheriff Andrew Jackson "Andy" Taylor is the lead character on The Andy Griffith Show, an American sitcom which aired on CBS, (19601968). During the episode Andy Discovers America, Andy gets Opie and his friends to start a rebellion against Helen during class. Fans of Elvis Presley and his numerous films may know Joanna Moore and not even realize they do. (Spoken by Andy when someone performs something well.). Andy had gotten to the point where he was physically and mentally tired and felt he couldnt add any more to the character, he said. (Spoken by Andy when someone is overly excited. During the 1970s, Moore continued with guest roles on Nanny and the Professor, The Governor & J.J., and McCloud. Eight years is a long time to spend at one place, even Mayberry. Sadly, both her children, Tatum and Griffin, would battle similar substance abuse problems as adults. Despite the rocky start to their relationship, the two worked everything out in the end. https://www.patreon.com/davesundstromProduct and service links listed are affiliate links which support this channel help me continue to create content.This video is not intended for children under the age of 14. Griffith showed up on set with his hand bandaged. Played One The following year, she made her film debut in the 1957 crime drama Appointment with a Shadow. Griffith helped executive produce a spinoff called Mayberry R.F.D. about the Mayberry gang. Just to make matters more confusing, in Season 6 episode, "The Return of Barney Fife", it is claimed that Barney is coming back to town for Andy & Barney's high school class reunion, class of 1948. Write by: . [Barney Fife actor Don Knotts] was gone, and the show had gone into color from black and white, Griffith said. Things quickly began turning around for the hard-working actor. The sheriff badges worn by Andy and Barney are six point stars; the stars on their shoulder patches have five points. Soon, it became crippling. Andy and Barney both work the courthouse during daytime hours, and rotate shifts at night. Both the town and the county are named Mayberry, so Andy is the chief law enforcement officer for both. Not every live stream will have a contest. In real life, Andy Griffith was an only child, and married Barbara Bray Edwards, 1949-1972; she died in 1980 at the age of 52, and they adopted two children together. Plus, when you rewatch a show, you spot details that you may have missed the first time. When the series opens, several years have passed since Opie's mother died. The show ran for three years and was popular ratings-wise but was still canceled by the network. Moore said that she had to read lips to understand what people were saying. He told everyone he had hurt his hand while he was building a toy garage for his son. One of those attempted arranged dates was with the odd, socially inept Lydia Crosswaithe. Its still broadcasted to this day in syndication where other shows of its era have been forgotten. Leaving Mayberry After twelve appearances in the first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the audience. [citation needed] On the lists created by About.com's Fatherhood section[2] Sheriff Andy Taylor is named the greatest TV father of all time. All Rights Reserved. Why did Peggy leave Andy Griffith Show? And after Summer of 62 surgery she was right as rain. Andy Griffith and his second banana Don Knotts came off as shy country bumpkins on their hit sitcom set in fictional Mayberry, North Carolina. [1], In 2018, retired Akron Beacon Journal writer Rich Heldenfels said he believed Andy Griffith was never nominated for an Emmy because "just made the acting look too easy" and because the character was so much like Griffith, "his timing and other skills did not seem as apparent. It is said to be strongly based on his own grandmother's devastating struggles. Additionally, since Andy is elected countywide, while the mayor is a town official, his authority would actually - in most areas - exceed that of the mayor. She did so in 1974 at the young age of just 10 for her role as Addie Loggins inPaper Moon. [1] In 1941, when she was a child, her parents and younger sister were involved in a fatal car accident. "After this, however, Joanna's personal life unravel dramatically, which spilled into her professional career. And I was afraid I wasnt holding up my end of it any longer. And yet, after four measly episodes, she disappeared without further mention. Robert McQuain has: Played Sud Pribble in "Disneyland" in 1954. It really seemed like Miss Peggy as portrayed by actress Joanna Moore might be the one for Sheriff Andy Taylor. That arguably had a lot to do with the star-studded cast, specifically comedic actor Don Knotts. Andy mentions in the backdoor pilot from The Danny Thomas Show that he lost Opie's mother when Opie was "the least little speck of a baby". Why did Joanna Moore Leave Andy Griffith Show. According to Daniel de Viss 2015 novel, Griffith told Don Knotts that he was romantically involved with Aneta Corsaut and Joanna Moore, both from The Andy Griffith Show, at different points in time. Sticking with The Andy Griffith Show theme and Joanna Moore, it only makes sense to bring up another cool tidbit about a member of the cast. On Mayberry R.F.D., Andy and Helen return to Mayberry for a visit and bring their newborn baby with them. The Andy Griffith Show: Nurse Peggy Actress Joanna Moore Starred in 1962 Elvis Presley Film, Elvis Presley: The Tragic Story of His Twin Brother, Jesse Garon Presley. It turns out that Tatum would follow in her parents footsteps. money(minimal) and fame to serve her own ego. Spotted at a party by a Universal producer, the actress was tested and quickly signed. He also later[citation needed] mentions being in Africa and that he was a First Sergeant. In 1951, the 16-year-old girl married and divorced another teenager, Willis Moore, and divorced him within the year. Opie is 6 years old when the show opens (born in 1954), and it is more than likely (based on Andy's testimony) that Opie's mother died at Opie's birth or shortly thereafter. When they arrive, it is full daylight, so it could be inferred that Mayberry County is larger than originally thought and with mountainous areas, but sparsely populated. Played Jim Baker in "The Andy Griffith Andy had several love interests through the show's run, but his first romantic relationship on the series is Ellie Walker (Elinor Donahue). The next year, she guest-starred on Petrocelli and The Blue Knight and made two appearances on Bronk. Played Manicure Customer in "The Andy Griffith Show" In the backdoor pilot episode from The Danny Thomas Show, viewers learn Andy lost his wife when Opie was "the least little speck of a baby." Andy went to school in Mayberry and graduated from Mayberry Union High. Later that year, she appeared in episodes of Goodyear Theatre and Harbormaster, along with another film, Slim Carter. But Knott left the show after Season Five and only made infrequent guest appearances in the shows last few seasons.