George Lindsey died Sunday morning in Nashville after a brief illness. The actor, 83, was best known for his role as Goober Pyle on the The Andy Griffith Show.
He was born in Jasper, Alabama, the son of a butcher. He got a BS from Florence State Teachers College in 1952 with majors in physical education and biology.
After spending three years in the Air Force, he worked for one year as a high school baseball and basketball coach and history teacher before heading to New York City and Broadway.
In the early 60’s he headed to Hollywood where his joined The Andy Griffith Show in 1964 as the cousin of Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors.
The actor said during a 1985 interview: “America has grown up with me. Goober is every man, everyone finds something to like about ol’ Goober.”
Andy Griffith responded to his friend’s death, “George Lindsey was my friend. I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit. In recent years we spoke often by phone. Our last conversation was a few days ago … I am happy to say that we found ourselves in our eighties, we were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I Love you.'”
In 1995 George published his memoirs Goober in a Nutshell. His last guest appearance was on Larry the Cable Guy: Hula Palooza Christmas Luau in 2009.
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Photo Credit: Video Screen Grabs