Don Knotts and Dennis Weaver

It’s been a tough few days for Ron Howard and Ron Howard’s brother, Clint Howard.

Ron lost his TV-dad’s deputy, Barney Fife of The Andy Griffith Show, played by the great Don Knotts who died at age 81 Friday.

And Clint lost his TV-dad, Tom Wedloe of Gentle Ben, played by the equally great Dennis Weaver who also died at age 81 Friday. Of course, Weaver was better known from Gunsmoke and McCloud — and the terrific movie Duel (one of director Steven Spielberg’s first efforts).

And let’s not forget Darren McGavin who died Saturday at age 83. Among his scores of roles spanning seven decades, a particular favorite was as “The Old Man,” Ralphie Parker’s dad, in the ever-delightful A Christmas Story.