Ron Howard as Opie Taylor and Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show, circa 1963. Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images Unlike many sitcoms of its time, The Andy Griffith Show ...

the series followed Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his young son Opie (Ron Howard), their kindhearted Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts). Over time, Mayberry's ...