‘The Andy Griffith Show’: Nurse Peggy Actress Joanna Moore Was Mother of Renowned Actress
The Andy Griffith Show is without a doubt one of the most iconic television shows in history. In addition, it introduced us to some great actors and actresses.
One of those was actress Joanna Moore, who played Nurse Peggy McMillan on The Andy Griffith Show. In addition to playing Sheriff Andy Taylor’s love interest, Moore also made guest appearances in several other popular shows, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Bewitched, and The Real McCoys.
Joanna Moore was also known to be a staple as a guest star in TV westerns. She made appearances in The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Rebel, The High Chaparral, and The Virginian. In total, Moore played more than eighty television and film roles.
However, outside of The Andy Griffith Show, Moore was also known for being married to fellow actor Ryan O’Neal with whom she had two children, Griffin, and Tatum O’Neal. Unfortunately, Moore passed away in 1997 after a battle with lung cancer.
It turns out that Tatum would follow in her parents’ footsteps. She went on to become the youngest actor to ever win an Academy Award. She did so in 1974 at the young age of just 10 for her role as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon. And last year, Tatum O’Neal posted a touching tribute to her mother on her official Instagram page.
“Thinking about & missing my beautiful and talented mother the last few days,” O’Neal posted on Instagram. “Her body may not still with us, but her giant spirit lives with me every day. Till then mama …👩❤️👩 #joannamoore #dorthycook #southernbelle #americusga”
The Andy Griffith Show Star Was a Decorated Soldier in Real Life
Sticking with The Andy Griffith Show theme and Joanna Moore, it only makes sense to bring up another cool tidbit about a member of the cast.
Prior to playing one of our favorite television deputies, Barney Fife, actor Don Knotts actually served in the U.S. military. He was in the Army during World War II, serving from 1943 until 1946.
While he was a non-combatant during the war, he went on to become a highly-decorated soldier before starting his acting career. Knotts received multiple accolades from the Army including the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, a Marksmanship Badge, and an Honorable Service Lapel Button.
Further, being in the military gave Knotts a chance to practice his comedy routine. During his time serving in the Army, Knotts joined the Stars and Gripes, an Army-sponsored variety show that toured the Pacific Islands. The experience kept Knotts’ dream of one day being a comedian alive.
To learn more interesting facts about the cast of The Andy Griffith Show, be sure to stick with us here at Outsider.
