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 ...
Howard also played Radar Operator Johnson Ritter in all the “Austin Powers” movies. He’s the one who always spots Dr. Evil’s space vehicles.
Maggie Mancuso Peterson, who played "Charlene Darling", is still alive.
Thank you Betty for the timeless gifts you and the others gave us.
Also had a funny bit part on “Seinfeld.” https://youtu.be/DxhXnEZltvA
The town of Mayberry was also acting. It was originally Atlanta in “Gone With The Wind.”
Well as far as I know Juanita hasn’t died yet.
"Ron Howard's brother, Clint Howard, played the role of the car thief in this episode. Their father, Rance Howard, made two appearances in the series - episodes 5.3, Seinfeld: The Glasses (1993), and 7.20, Seinfeld: The Bottle Deposit (1996)"
When Barney was dressed up in his salt and pepper, no woman could resist him, even Thelma Lou
Perfect casting — pretty, sweet, and funny in life and as Thelma Lou.
What is sad and tarnished the series are the Leftist cranks that Andy Griffith and Ron Howard turned out to be.
Andy was a schmuck politically.
Leon is Opie’s real life little brother...
And supposedly not a very nice man. I guess he kind of was Lonesome Rhodes.
How did Barney get a girl like that?!
Good catch.
Chicks dig guys with guns.
I understand in real life he had a lot of women that pursued him — he was never at a loss for companionship.
Just damn.
She said she’d wait for me forever...
Classic beauty.
“Elinor Donahue” is still alive. She played Andy’s love interest Ellie the Pharmacist.
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