George Lindsey, an actor best known for playing Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, died May 6, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 83.
Born December 17, 1935, in Jasper, Alabama, Lindsey joined The Andy Griffith Show in 1964, when Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle, left for his own spin-off series. Lindsey was cast as Goober Pyle, Gomer’s cousin. He remained on the show until it ended in 1968, and reprised the character on Mayberry RFD, from 1968-71.
He continued to play character on the syndicated variety comedy Hee Haw from 1971 until it ended production in 1993.
Although best known as Goober, Lindsey appeared in many other television series and feature films.
His television credits included The Real McCoys, The Rifleman, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, The Wonderful World of Disney, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, CHIPs, M*A*S*H, and Love American Style.
In addition, he appeared in such movies as Cannonball Run II and Take This Job and Shove It. He also lent his voice to such animated films as The Aristocats, The Rescuers and Robin Hood.
Lindsey graduated from Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in 1952 after majoring in physical education and biology. He also played quarterback on the football team.
He served three years in the Air Force, then worked one year as a high school baseball and basketball coach and history teacher near Huntsville, Ala.
In 1956, he attended the American Theatre Wing in New York City and began his professional career on Broadway, appearing in the musicals All American and Wonderful Town.
He moved to Hollywood in the early 1960s and to Nashville in the early 1990s.
Apart from performing, Lindsey raised money for the Alabama Special Olympics. He also sponsored a celebrity golf tournament in Montgomery, Alabama, that raised money for the mentally disabled.
For his philanthropic work, he received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award.
Survivors include a daughter, a son, two grandchildren and his longtime companion, Anne Wilson.