Elinor Donohue who played the role of Ellie Walker first appeared in 'Ellie Comes To Town' on 10/24/60. She appearred in twelve episodes of the first season. He last being 'The Guitar Player Returns' airing on 5/15/61. According to Ms. Donohue she asked to be released because she didn' think there was any chemistry between her and Andy.
In 1965. Don Knotts believed the show was about to be canceled, so he signed on with the Walt Disney Company to make movies. His last appearance as a regular was in "Opie Flunks Arithmetic"; the last two episodes of the 1964-1965 were filmed without Knotts. Don Knotts did return to play Barney in seasons 6-8 of TAGS, as well as in the premiere of Mayberry R.F.D., and in Return to Mayberry.
In 1965 after 5 years on the Andy Griffith Show Don Knotts was offered movie contracts and he chose to accept them thereby leaving the series behind. He did make occasional guest appearances until the series ended in 1968.
On the show he got a job in Raleigh as a detective. In real life his contract was going to expire and he decided to look for other work and became a movie actor. They wanted to renew his contract, but he had already signed up to be an actor. He does appear in some episodes after actullay he left mayberry to be a deputy in Raleigh just like he was in mayberry
In a taped interview, Ms. Donahue recalled that she had gone quickly from playing a teen star to the role of an adult pharmacist on the Andy Griffith Show. This put tremendous pressure on her to perform. She chose to leave the show after one season due to this. She very much respected her fellow TAGS performers, such as, Griffith, Don Knotts and Ron Howard.
Barney
Barney wanted to shorten Andy's name, as a show of affection, as we all do. The shortening to 'And' is not as 'comfortable' to say as 'Ange'. I have a friend who is called Andy and I call him Ange. (My name is Angie, so it's getting quite confusing!!).
We're not told exactly when Barney leaves but the last regular episode he appeared in before moving to Raleigh was "Opie Flunks Arithmetic' which aired on 4/19/65
andy griffith
His shirt pocket
Fred (as in Flintstone, from "The Flinstones") or Andy (as in Taylor, from "The Andy Griffith Show).
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Andy Saves Barney's Morale 1-20 was released on: USA: 20 February 1961
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Andy and Barney in the Big City 2-25 was released on: USA: 26 March 1962
He rented from Miss Mendelbright.
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Barney's Physical 5-2 was released on: USA: 28 September 1964
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Barney and the Governor 3-15 was released on: USA: 7 January 1963
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Lawman Barney 3-7 was released on: USA: 12 November 1962
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Sheriff Barney 2-12 was released on: USA: 25 December 1961
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Barney's Bloodhound 5-6 was released on: USA: 26 October 1964
Barney
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Barney Gets His Man 1-30 was released on: USA: 8 May 1961
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 The Legend of Barney Fife 6-18 was released on: USA: 17 January 1966