Duncan-born actor and director Ron Howard starred as a child as Opie on the “The Andy Griffith Show.” Howard grew up to become the Oscar-

winning director of “A Beautiful Mind.” He released a statement to The Associated Press about Griffith: “His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around,” Howard said in a statement. “The spirit he created on the set of ‘The Andy Griffith Show' was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment.”

For a transcript and video of Howard's MSNBC interview about Griffith, go to Blog.NewsOK.com/television.