Although there are a handful of dissenters out there, most people readily acknowledge that Andy Griffith was a pretty easy-going guy. While playing Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, Andy loved to have fun on the set with his fellow cast members. So, what in the world would cause him to completely lose it while shooting an episode?
There had been a moment of anger while filming the second season of The Andy Griffith Show that had caused Andy to put his fist through a wall; but even then, Andy never really lost it. He was quick to regain his sense of composure, and, by all accounts, he felt a great deal of regret about that particular outburst.
What we’re talking about here is different. This was a moment that was shared with me by a trusted subscriber to my YouTube channel who had a parent working on the show’s set on the day that it happened. So, if you’re looking for anywhere else on the internet to verify the story that follows, you’re not going to find it. I’ve looked myself and it isn’t out there. Still, when you read this account, you will understand why it is actually quite reasonable to believe that it is true. So here goes …
First, let’s just get one thing out of the way. Andy Griffith and Andy Taylor are two different people. Yes, there are some similarities. That happens with any actor. Even the best let a little bit of themselves slip into their performance. In many ways, Andy Griffith had a lot of the folksy, simple life charm of his television counterpart. That said, Andy was passionate about certain causes, and he made no secret regarding where his political allegiance lay.
Although The Andy Griffith Show shied away from controversial topics, the actual Andy Griffith could often be found engaged in a healthy and robust debate regarding many of the different issues of the time. Way back then, Andy was a big advocate of equality for all people, and an even bigger supporter of President John F. Kennedy.
On that fateful day of November 22, 1963, Andy just happened to be on set when he got news that the man he’d admired so greatly had been assassinated. It was the one time that cast members say they saw Andy become unhinged. He just completely lost it. He was knocking over items on set, and pounding on the filing cabinet that served as a prop in his courthouse. The crew knew that this was a moment that had to play out. They let Andy be as he did his best to work through the swirl of emotions that had erupted from within.
What we’re talking about here is different. This was a moment that was shared with me by a trusted subscriber to my YouTube channel who had a parent working on the show’s set on the day that it happened. So, if you’re looking for anywhere else on the internet to verify the story that follows, you’re not going to find it. I’ve looked myself and it isn’t out there. Still, when you read this account, you will understand why it is actually quite reasonable to believe that it is true. So here goes …
First, let’s just get one thing out of the way. Andy Griffith and Andy Taylor are two different people. Yes, there are some similarities. That happens with any actor. Even the best let a little bit of themselves slip into their performance. In many ways, Andy Griffith had a lot of the folksy, simple life charm of his television counterpart. That said, Andy was passionate about certain causes, and he made no secret regarding where his political allegiance lay.
Although The Andy Griffith Show shied away from controversial topics, the actual Andy Griffith could often be found engaged in a healthy and robust debate regarding many of the different issues of the time. Way back then, Andy was a big advocate of equality for all people, and an even bigger supporter of President John F. Kennedy.
On that fateful day of November 22, 1963, Andy just happened to be on set when he got news that the man he’d admired so greatly had been assassinated. It was the one time that cast members say they saw Andy become unhinged. He just completely lost it. He was knocking over items on set, and pounding on the filing cabinet that served as a prop in his courthouse. The crew knew that this was a moment that had to play out. They let Andy be as he did his best to work through the swirl of emotions that had erupted from within.
MeTV is celebrating their annual “Month of Mayberry” beginning May 4 and lasting all month, where viewers can catch specially selected episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, as well as spinoffs including Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and Mayberry R.F.D.
