Dennis Rush, the former child actor known for The Andy Griffith Show and Man of a Thousand Faces, has passed away at age 74 after a leukemia diagnosis.
Latest news highlights
- Multiple outlets reported Rush’s death in mid-May 2026, noting the leukemia diagnosis prior to his passing.[2][3][7]
- He is remembered for his work as Howie on The Andy Griffith Show and for a younger portrayal opposite James Cagney in Man of a Thousand Faces.[3][4][2]
- Tributes have appeared from friends and fan communities, with coverage noting his contributions to classic TV and film.[5][3]
Context and next steps
- If you’d like, I can compile a brief biography with key credits, a timeline of major roles, and notable tributes from major outlets, and provide sources for each item. Would you like that focused on his Andy Griffith Show years, his film work, or a balanced overview?
Note: The above draws from recent entertainment coverage across several outlets reporting his death and career highlights. If you want, I can fetch or summarize specific articles verbatim.[7][2][3][5]
Sources
Dennis Rush, the child actor who played Howie on *The Andy Griffith Show* and appeared as a young Lon Chaney Jr. opposite James Cagney in *Man of a Thousand Faces*, died Saturday on the way to a hospital in the San Diego area. He was 74. Keith Thibodeaux said Rush died, recalling him as the boy who “played Lon Chaney Jr. in the James Cagney classic and Howie, one of Opie’s friends, on the beloved CBS sitcom.” Rush had been diagnosed with leukemia last month.
www.mogazmasr.comDennis Rush, the beloved child actor best known for his role in The Andy Griffith Show, has passed away at the age of 74.
en.newsner.comDennis Rush, a former child actor best known for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Man of a Thousand Faces, has died. He was 74. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rush was diagnosed with leukemia last month while living near San Diego, California, and died en route to a hospital on May 9. […]
popculture.comSee Dennis Rush's contact, representation, publicist, and legal information. Explore Dennis Rush's credits, follow attached in-development titles, and track popularity with STARmeter. IMDbPro — The essential resource for entertainment professionals.
pro.imdb.comThe news was confirmed by an I Love Lucy legend
www.express.co.ukDennis Rush died at 74 on Saturday on the way to the hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia last month. The former child actor was best known for playing a youngster opposite James Cagney in Man of a Thousand Faces and for appearing as Howie on The Andy Griffith Show.Man of a Thousand FacesRus…
www.el-balad.comExplore the filmography of Dennis Rush on Rotten Tomatoes! Discover ratings, reviews, and more. Click for details!
www.rottentomatoes.com