Ron Howard reveals he’s related to iconic ‘Andy Griffith Show’ star

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.

“A fun photo of the day in ‘97 when #AndyGriffith and #DonKnotts surprised me with a visit to the set of #Ransom in #Queens,” Howard posted on Instagram about the late Knotts. “It was recently confirmed that Don and I were actually distant cousins!”

PEOPLE pointed out Howard, 70, may have gotten the year wrong since “Ransom,” the movie set the stars visited, was released in 1996.

Howard, of course, played Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1960 to 1968. He played the son of Andy Taylor, the sheriff of Mayberry.

Knotts played Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife.

Knotts died in 2006. He was 81 years old. Griffith died in 2012 at age 86.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.