Bryce Dallas Howard glad to be 'Opie's daughter'

Bryce Dallas Howard stars as the pretentious, set-in-her-ways Hilly Holbrook in the drama, “The Help,” and while playing the cold-hearted socialite may have been a challenge for the 30-year-old actress, being asked to gain weight for the role certainly wasn’t!

“It was great,” Bryce told Access Hollywood of packing on an extra 15 pounds to play Holbrook at “The Help” premiere in Los Angeles on Tuesday. “It was very easy to do in Mississippi, where they pretty much even fry the butter!

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Through The Years: TV’s Favorite Families

“It’s like sort of a dream thing for an actor when they’re told to gain weight,” she continued, laughing.

Bryce, daughter of legendary actor/filmmaker Ron Howard (who won America over in the 60’s in his role as the lovable “Opie” on “The Andy Griffith Show”), said filming in a small Southern town – much like Mayberry, N.C. , where her father’s famed sitcom was set – had locals reminiscing about her Southern connection.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Dads & Their Adorable Little Ones!

“I have to say, everybody in the town that we were shooting in knew me as ‘Opie’s daughter,’” she told Access. “I just feel like whenever I go to the South I just feel so welcomed because, you know, ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ was such a special show for so many people — particularly in that region — and it’s kind of a wonderful feeling.

“I feel very embraced as a result,” she added.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebrity Offspring