Actor George Lindsey, who is perhaps best known for playing Goober Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Hee Haw,” died early Sunday morning after a lengthy stint in a Nashville hospital. The nature of his illness was not disclosed. He was 83.
Lindsey began his acting career on Broadway in the mid 50s after serving 3 years in the Air Force. He joined “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1964 as the replacement for Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle. Lindsey’s character Goober was Gomer’s cousin. Lindsey continued to play Goober on the Andy Griffith spinoff “Mayberry RFD” for its entire run from 1968 to 1971. He then played Goober on “Hee Haw” for 22 years.
Andy Griffith paid tribute to Lindsey in a statement released Sunday. "George Lindsey was my friend. I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit. Our last conversation was a few days ago. We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our 80s, 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,’” Griffith, 85, said.
Lindsey’s other TV credits include “MASH,” “The Real McCoys,” ‘‘Rifleman,” ‘‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,” and ‘‘Twilight Zone.” His film credits include “Cannonball Run II,” “The Aristocats,” and “Robin Hood.”
Lindsey is survived by his longtime companion, Anne Wilson, as well as two children and two grandchildren.
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