It takes some actors years of practice to be able to deliver a truly believable performance. Sure, an over-the-top performance is plenty interesting, but it can get old after a while. The stuff that truly keeps an audience returning to a performance for years is a level of realism and relatability.

Despite the fact that Ron Howard came from a family of actors, talent isn't necessarily hereditary; there was no guarantee that Howard would have a fruitful career simply because his parents were successful.

During an interview with The Sacramento Bee, Howard made it clear that despite his family, his upbringing was anything but star-studded and luxurious.

Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!

Weeknights at 8 & 8:30, Sundays at 12 & 6 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

 Add to Favorites  Remind Me

"I wasn't really a Hollywood kid too much, because I didn't really know any other Hollywood kids," said Howard. "My parents didn't allow my time away from The Andy Griffith Show to be absorbed by promotional things."

The Andy Griffith Show, of course, is considered to be Howard's big break into the entertainment industry. To work on a series with acting titan Andy Griffith was no easy feat, but Howard more than pulled his weight on the series. In fact, Griffith offered the young actor praise in the same interview when he recalled a moment on set when Howard was preparing to film an emotional scene.

"It required him to be very sad," said Griffith. "As we got into the scene, he actually started about weeping. He said he was remembering a dog that died and it made him sad. You know what that is? That's the Method. And he arrived at that on his own."

It's high praise for an actor like Andy Griffith to compliment your performance, but young Howard had certainly earned it. Opie was every bit of a lovable character as anyone else on The Andy Griffith Show, and he's one that we'll remember forever.

 0 Comments