Keith Thibodeaux

In his two-hour interview, actor Keith Thibodeaux discusses his early childhood and how his interest and talent in drumming led him to become a member of the Horace Heidt Orchestra. He discusses touring around the country with the orchestra and appearing on The Horace Heidt Show until his family moved to California in the early 1950s. He speaks about being cast in 1956 as "Little Ricky" on the hit series I Love Lucy. He describes his role, his co-stars, and the tension on the set as the marriage of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball disintegrated. He then talks about his work on The Andy Griffith Show, where he played Opie's friend, Johnny Paul Jason. He discusses the travails of being a child star and his later descent into drugs, which he overcame as an adult. He also speaks about his role as executive director of Ballet Magnificat, a Christian ballet touring company. Karen Herman conducted the interview on November 5, 2005 in St. Charles, IL.