If you've watched enough episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, it can be almost too easy to feel as though you know the characters on your screen as well as you do your own family. Luckily, the cast members of the series seemed to feel the exact same way.

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts had a special comedic relationship. It wasn't one that began on The Andy Griffith Show, but their dynamic on the series only strengthened the actor's bond.

Likewise, Ron Howard was gifted the rare opportunity of being one of the only kids who could claim that he grew up in Mayberry. Although he was better known as Ronny Howard during his time on the set of The Andy Griffith Show, Howard grew up on the series. It was there that his acting career flourished, and where he also discovered a deep appreciation for the work done behind the camera, a passion that could serve him wisely in his directing career.

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It's heartwarming to know that the cast of The Andy Griffith Show loved each other as much as their characters did, and that warmth is only emphasized with the knowledge that today, even years later, that love hasn't diminished.

Recently, Ron Howard shared a throwback photo of himself, Don Knotts, and Andy Griffith on Instagram. The three had reunited on the set of Howard's film, Ransom. Howard called the photo "fun," and said that Griffith and Knotts surprised him on set.

Additionally, Howard shared that he and Knotts were actually a bit closer than anyone previously realized. "It was recently confirmed that Don and I were actually distant cousins!"

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Ronny, and thanks for letting us be a part of the Mayberry family!

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