Aaron Ruben

Writer/ Producer/ Director

"I'm certainly proud to have been at the beginnings of The Andy Griffith Show. Andy gives me more credit than I deserve because he's quoted about how I set the style for that show. I don't know. I'm just glad I was there and was an important part of the structuring of the show. I nurtured it and nursed it and I thought I took really good care of it. It was five of the best years of my life in the business."

About This Interview

Aaron Ruben (1914-2010) was interviewed for four-and-a-half hours in Beverly Hills, CA. Ruben discussed his start as a radio writer for many popular stars including Dinah Shore, Burns and Allen, Fred Allen, Henry Morgan, and Milton Berle. He talked about the first time he worked in television on The Sam Levenson Show with writer Selma Diamond, and his television directorial debut on The Phil Silvers Show. In 1960, he produced his first television show, The Andy Griffith Show. Mr. Ruben talked about other television shows he produced including Gomer Pyle, USMC (which he also created), CPO Sharkey, Sanford and Son, and his work writing for Matlock. He also discussed his long-time philanthropic work with at-risk children. The interview was conducted by Morrie Gelman on February 25, 1999.