Ron Howard’s Iconic Throw That Wasn’t Really His

In the timeless opening of The Andy Griffith Show, young Opie Taylor skips a stone across the serene waters of Myers Lake, a tranquil fishing spot just outside of Mayberry. But guess what? That picturesque moment wasn’t exactly as it seemed. The iconic scene was filmed at California’s Franklin Canyon Lake, and little Ronny Howard, who played Opie, was only six years old at the time. His arms weren’t strong enough to toss the rock far. “My skinny little arm was not powerful enough to get that rock into the water,” Ron reveals in his heartfelt memoir, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family. For the next take, Ron faked the throw for the cameras while the prop master, cleverly hidden behind a tree, did the actual throwing.

Learning the Art of Make-Believe—and Real-Life Lessons

Growing up on the set of The Andy Griffith Show, Ron Howard, now 67, wasn’t just learning how to act. He was also learning about life. As he shares in his memoir, co-written with his brother Clint Howard, Ron witnessed a lot of real-world issues behind the scenes. From adult struggles and biases to moments of genuine kindness, the set of the show was a complex place. Ron and Clint credit their parents, Rance and Jean Howard, for shielding them from the harsher realities of Hollywood. Their parents’ protective instincts were “rooted in love and fear, not any stage-parent concept of protecting their cash cows,” Ron explains.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops for young Ron. The world of Desilu Studios, where the show was filmed, wasn’t exactly kid-friendly. The crew was a mix of salty old characters who swore like sailors and drank like fish. “By lunchtime, the prop master was often three sheets to the wind,” Ron recalls. And let’s not forget the constant cloud of cigarette smoke that hung over the set. “My eyes were always burning,” he says.

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An Education in the Unseen Realities of Set Life

Even the bathroom became a learning experience for the young Ron. He remembers being puzzled by the obscene graffiti that adorned the walls. His father, Rance, tried to explain it to him gently: “You see, some men, when they sit on the toilet, they like to draw penises,” Ron recalls his dad saying. Rance made sure to add that Ron should never do such a thing himself.

Ron Howard Witnessed 'Adult Problems' on 'The Andy Griffith Show' — Snap/Shutterstock

Challenges Beyond the Set

While the crew generally treated Ron with kindness and empathy, not everyone on set was treated with the same respect. Jim Nabors, who played the beloved Gomer Pyle, faced disparaging comments from some crew members due to his sexuality, which was an open secret but rarely discussed openly. “And not with any hint of kindness,” Ron reflects.

Andy Griffith, the man who played his on-screen father, Sheriff Taylor, was a “wonderful and bighearted” figure, according to Ron. However, Andy and his co-star Don Knotts were both dealing with personal struggles, particularly their failing marriages. These issues often came up in conversations that Ron overheard. “Both men were visiting psychologists to work through their stuff,” Ron recalls. He even remembers Andy mentioning a session where his therapist brought up the subject of latent homosexuality. “I don’t think I qualify for that one … What about you, Don?” Andy asked.

Andy also shared with the cast that his doctor suggested he worked long hours on the show to avoid going home. Ron recalls Andy returning from Christmas break with a bandaged hand. “I got drunk, I got mad, and I put my fist through a door,” Andy confessed to the cast.

Facing Bullies and Finding Friends

Off the set, Ron faced his own battles. Being a child star made him a target for bullies at school. “They all figured out that Opie rhymes with dopey, mopey and soapy,” Ron says. For a time, he avoided using the bathroom at school to prevent further teasing. But one day, he accidentally wet his pants in public. Despite the challenges, Ron’s parents encouraged him to stay in school for the year. “It was a rough path,” he admits, but eventually, he formed a group of loyal friends.

The Magic of Hollywood and Lessons Learned

Ron’s experiences on The Andy Griffith Show weren’t all tough. He witnessed acts of kindness that left a lasting impression. He recalls how Howard McNear, the actor who played Floyd the barber, suffered a serious stroke during the third season. To keep Howard in the show, the crew devised clever ways to support him during his scenes. “Andy, ever magnanimous, didn’t want to lose Howard,” Ron says. This experience taught Ron valuable lessons about the magic of Hollywood and the importance of kindness. “I will forever owe a debt to Opie Taylor,” he says. “The experience of inhabiting that character, walking a mile in his Keds, defined my early life.”