Andy Griffith was a charming actor, and his works were widely appreciated. However, behind the scenes, there happened to be some real shenanigans, including his affair.
“The Andy Griffith Show” was widely watched in the years that it aired, and so was the popularity of its lead star, Andy Griffith, who was beloved by his viewers for his humor and charm.
Griffith was not only loved by his fans, he was especially drawn to women, and one of those women happened to have been on the set of the “Andy Griffith Show,” which everyone knew about but tried to stay calm.
Pictures of actor Andy Griffith with actress, Aneta Corsaut and him with his first wife, Barbara Edwards | Photo: Getty Images
At the time of this affair, Griffith was married to Barbara Bray Edwards and was a father of two, but Aneta Corsaut, who played school teacher Helen Crump, was too lovely to be ignored by the actor.
Both stars dated on the show and in no time became romantically involved and tried to keep it away from the spotlight.
However, author Daniel de Visé noted in his 2015 book, “Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show,” that the affair was not Griffith’s first but the most intoxicating of all.
Andy Griffith in a publicity portrait issued for the TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show," circa 1965 | Photo: Getty Images
The actor was said to have grown overly fond of the actress that he could not get enough of her, and despite being married, he popped the question to her, hoping to seal their affair.
Daniel de Vise wrote of the experience, saying, “Andy couldn’t get enough of Aneta. Eventually, he proposed, even though he was already married. As Aneta hinted in later years, he popped the question at least once and possibly two or three times. She turned him down.”
He died on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86, leaving behind an impeccable legacy.
Andy Griffith on March 7, 2004 at The Hollywood Palladium, in Hollywood, California | Photo: Getty Images
The affair soon became an open secret, and at one point, crew members wanted to play a joke on the secret lovers and met them at a hotel whereto they had sneaked, but the surprised duo did not take it lightly.
Shortly after the show ended, both lovers got the chance to work together in “The Andy Griffith Show’s” spinoff, “Mayberry, R.F.D.” Corsaut would go on to play various roles but was widely remembered for starring alongside Griffith. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1995 from cancer.
Andy Griffith at the White House in Washington D.C. on November 9, 2005 | Photo: Getty Images
While Griffith’s works were largely popular, facts about his family were kept away from the limelight. At some point, it seemed the actor had forged a stronger bond with his on-screen son, Ron Howard, who played “Opie.”
Despite all claims about the actor spending more time with others, his children were truly his beloved. Griffith’s kids, daughter Dixie Nann Griffith, and his late son Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. were adopted.
Andy Griffith as Benjamin Matlock on the hit mystery legal drama television series "Matlock" | Photo: Getty Images
The kids were adopted during his marriage to his first wife, Barbara Bray Edwards. Griffith was said to have been protective of his kids as he wanted to shield them from the paparazzi, which he felt would have taken their privacy.
Griffith’s career would go on to span several decades and earn him several nominations. He died on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86, leaving behind an impeccable legacy.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtucWtlbHqiusOyZKCqmZuzqsDHZpinnaSWeqS70ayYrqxdna6lecCfnZqhomKxb7TTpqM%3D