Ron Howard Penned A Touching Message For ‘Andy Griffith Show’ Co-Star Maggie Peterson

Veteran actress Maggie Peterson, who’s famous for her impressive role on The Andy Griffith Show as the charming yet sometimes cheeky mountain girl Charlene Darling, has died Sunday (May 15) in Colorado. 

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Her niece and nephew have announced that the actress’s health went from bad to worse after the death of her husband, Gus Mancuso – one of the greatest musicians to ever play in Las Vegas. Mancuso and Peterson were married for more than four decades.

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The news of Peterson’s death saddened the hearts of many fans and friends, especially those she has worked with through the years. This includes Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard, who gained national attention as a child star on The Andy Griffith Show.

He turned to social media to pen a heartrending message for his co-star.

“RIP – Lovely, kind, and talented Maggie Peterson,” Howard wrote. “Here is a favorite clip of mine. Charlene Darling sings ‘There is a Time’ for Andy.”

The Andy Griffith Show And The Inedible Mark It Left

RIP -Lovely, kind and talented Maggie Peterson. Here is a favorite clip of mine. Charlene Darling sings “There is a Time” for Andy https://t.co/E79wo9wKlv via @YouTube

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) May 17, 2022

The television comedy series The Andy Griffith Show aired on CBS from 1960 to 1968 – taking its viewers to America’s favorite small town, Mayberry.

Maggie Peterson came into the show during a 1963 episode, where she played the role of Charlene Darling, visiting Mayberry with her father and four musical brothers. Charlene waited for her fiancé to get to town – however, in a twist of fate, it was only when Charlene’s fiancé arrived that she settled for her first love.

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During the following season, Charlene’s family came back to Mayberry with Charlene looking for a young boy to be her new baby’s fiancé. They selected none other than the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, Opie – Ron Howard’s character.

Since then, Maggie Peterson and Ron Howard have developed a friendship that is beyond compare. The actress will surely be missed by many!