By Michaela Gordoni
Former child star Keith Thibodeaux is mourning the loss of Dennis Rush, his friend and former child co-star from THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
In addition to playing Johnny Paul Jason on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Thibodeaux played Little Ricky on I LOVE LUCY.
“I just got word that my old buddy Dennis Rush, a fine actor and a great friend, passed away,” Thibodeaux wrote alongside a photo with him and other stars in the show last week. “What a shock.”
Rush played Howie Pruitt on the show. Both Thibodeaux’s and Rush’s characters were friends to Opie Taylor, Parade reported.
“He was with us as one of Opie’s buddies,” Thibodeaux wrote. “… I will miss him at the ANDY GRIFFITH festivals as we had so many stories to tell.”
“I’m just glad that I was able to pray with him last month at one of the festivals when he found out that he was diagnosed with leukemia,” he added. “Mayberry has lost a great citizen and a great friend!”
He also shared a photo of himself with Rush from last year.
Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, commented on the post, “Sorry, Keith. Those decades-long friendships are the best. He will save a nice place for you where he’s going, I’m sure.”
Rush passed away after a battle with leukemia.
In a 2022 interview, Rush said, “I got to be in eight episodes over about a two-and-a-half year period. It was just the best of the best.”
The Andy Griffith Museum shared photos of Rush and mourned his death.
The organization said, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dennis Rush, beloved to Mayberry fans as Opie’s friend Howie Pruitt on ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ Dennis was an absolute joy to be around and one of the sweetest men you could ever meet. It was always a pleasure to welcome him to Mayberry Days®, where he shared smiles, stories, hugs, and kindness with fans from all over the world.”
“He will be deeply missed by the entire Mayberry family and the countless fans whose lives he touched through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. ”
Growing up, Thibodeaux knew he had a very privileged role on I LOVE LUCY.
“I began to ask my dad, ‘Why did God pick me to do this? He could have picked any little boy to play the part of little Ricky,” Thibodeaux recalled.
“My dad said, ‘Well, God’s got a purpose for you Keith,’” he said. “That always stuck in my mind…way back when I felt like God had his eyes on me.”
After his acting days, Thibodaux picked up a career as a drummer. The 75-year-old is still a musician today and shares his love for music and Christ on his socials.
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