Dennis Rush Dead: Child Actor In 'Andy Griffith Show' Was 74
, former child star best known for his roles as a young Creighton Chaney opposite James Cagney in Man Of A Thousand Faces, and as Howie, pal of Opie (Ron Howard) on The Andy Griffith Show, has died. He was 74.
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His longtime friend, actor Keith Thibodeaux (who also appeared on the Griffith show but is better known for playing Little Ricky on I Love Lucy), announced Rush’s death on Facebook, along with a photo. Thibodeaux told The Hollywood Reporter he died May 9.
“I just got word that my old buddy Dennis Rush, a fine actor and a great friend passed away. What a shock .. He was with us as one of Opie‘s buddies. He’s the one sitting down,” 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. Mayberry has lost a great citizen and a great friend!”
According to his biography on IMDb, Rush was born June 10, 1951, in California.
Rush appeared in numerous classic television series in the late 1950s and ’60s. His earliest screen credit was in the 1957 film Man of a Thousand Faces, where he played the four-year-old Creighton Chaney, son of silent film star Lon Chaney who grew up to be horror film star Lon Chaney Jr. Rush went on to appear in series including Wagon Train, Laramie, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, The Lucy Show and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
His final listed acting credit came in Disney’s Follow Me, Boys! in 1966.
Lucie Arnaz Luckingbill, daughter of I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, is among those who paid tribute to Rush, commenting on Thibodeaux’s 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.” Responded Thibodeaux, “Yes Lucie!”
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