Ron Howard, who played Opie on "The Andy Griffith Show" as a child, said he recently found out that he and former co-star Don Knotts are distant cousins.

Actor and director Ron Howard revealed earlier this month that he and “The Andy Griffith Show” co-star Don Knotts were actually related. Howard posted on social media earlier this month a picture from when he was visited on set by show co-stars Andy Griffith and Knotts.

Ron Howard, who found fame as a child star on the hit 1960s series “The Andy Griffith Show,” recently shared a photo on social media that showed him with his costars Andy Griffith and Don Knotts.

The sitcom, which ran for eight seasons, followed the sheriff of Mayberry, Andy Taylor (Griffith). At five years old, Howard played Opie during the duration of the series from 1960 to 1968. Knotts was known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife — which won him five Emmys.

In 1986, Howard, Griffith and Knotts reunited with many of their The Andy Griffith Show castmates for the TV film Return to Mayberry. In the movie, Opie becomes a father for the first time and Barney runs for sheriff — only to decide it should be Andy’s job once more. Knotts died in 2006. He was 81 years old. Griffith died in 2012 at age 86.

Ron Howard has revealed who one of his Andy Griffith Show costars actually was as he shared a throwback on social media.

The Andy Griffith Show brought a sense of laughter and community into our homes—and Mayberry's quirky crew of characters remain beloved after all these years. From Andy and Barney to Aunt Bee and little Opie,

Ron Howard is remembering a time, long ago.American director and film producer took a nostalgic trip down memory lane on February 15, sharing a sweet throwback photo of himself with The