I first heard of him in the movie “No Time for Sergeants” which was hysterical. Don Knotts is in it as well, playing a psychologist who is assigned to evaluate the Griffith charachter, and Knotts ends up thinking he’s crazy. I think that’s why the Andy Griffith show was started to capitalize on the popularity of the movie, but as time went on, Andy became the less funny one, and Barney took over. I also think that Gomer went into the Marines to emulate Griffith’s “No Time for Sergeants” character.
“No Time for Sergeants” was one of the funniest movies I ever saw. I can remember my Daughter laughing so hard she said her side hurt while watching it.
Otis the drunk was in No Time for Sergeants also. He was the airborne soldier that staggers by in the nightclub and Andy shouts out “hey infantry”.