Posted on 10/17/2021 2:26:26 PM PDT by Libloather
Betty Lynn, who went from the fictional Mayberry to the real Mount Airy and became a beloved fixture there, died Saturday after a brief illness. She was 95.
Lynn was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and followed her mother into a musical career, enrolling in the Kansas City Conservatory of Music when she was 5 years old. She had a long career in entertainment, appearing in the United Service Organizations (USO), on Broadway and in films and television.
She was best known for her role as Thelma Lou, Barney Fife's sweetheart in "The Andy Griffith Show." She appeared in 26 episodes of the series over a five-year span from 1961 to 1966, but only in a recurring role, having still been under contract at the time to another series.
She continued acting after her stint on "Andy," with various movies and TV shows, and reprised her role as Thelma Lou in the 1986 TV movie "Return to Mayberry," where Thelma Lou and Barney Fife finally tied the knot. She also appeared in several episodes of Andy Griffith's later series "Matlock."
She frequently visited Mount Airy, taking part in the annual Mayberry Days celebration, the latest of which was last month.
She retired from acting in 2006 and, based on her fond memories of visits to Mount Airy and the small-town atmosphere, decided to settle down there in 2007.
(Excerpt) Read more at journalnow.com ...
Family entertainment and funny too.
Gone forever
Barney was one funny guy for sure
Barney was shocked.
I think Opie’s about the only one left.
Sad news. I’ve read that Betty Lynn was very approachable, and loved to talk to fans. It was on my bucket list to meet her.
RIP, Thelma Lou
And thanks for the laughs.
Leon is still kicking.
Endearing to both her and Aunt Bea and the folks of North Carolina that they both chose to live their last 15-20 years amongst the setting of that which they were most known for
Pretty cool
And hattip to my birth state
Thanks for the photo and the post so I could be sure who she was. The site is an ad hell, I left quickly.
May she rest in peace.
Leon was a hoot, and he was always generous with his sandwiches. They should have used him more.
“I’ve read that Betty Lynn was very approachable, and loved to talk to fans.”
My parents live in Mt. Airy, and you are exactly right.
Opie’s real life brother.
Was just watching her Friday night. Thank you Betty.
Played in one episode of Star Trek (TOS) as an alien with an adult voice (dubbed).
Was in Apollo 13 and the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, in Mission Control, but not the same specific role.
RIP, Thelma Lou.
Such a sweetheart.
And star of Gentle Ben.
also played a disc jockey in That Thing You Do.
I think he was also in a Seinfeld episode.
And Waterboy.
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