George Smith Lindsey (December 17, 1928 – May 6, 2012) was an American actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his role as

Goober Pyle Goober Pyle is a fictional character in the American TV sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show'' and its sequel series '' Mayberry RFD''. He was played by George Lindsey. Lindsey first read for the part of Gomer Pyle, Goober's cousin, which went to act ...

on ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American sitcom television series that was aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. The series ...

'', '' Mayberry R.F.D.'' and his subsequent tenure on '' Hee-Haw''.

Life and career

George Lindsey was born in

Fairfield, Alabama Fairfield is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area and is located southeast of Pleasant Grove. The population was 10,000 at the 2020 census. Fairfield is home to Miles C ...

, to George Ross Lindsey, a butcher, and the former Alice Smith. He was raised by his grandparents in the small town of

Jasper Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. The common red color is due to ...

, where he graduated from Walker County High School in 1946. He attended

Kemper Military School Kemper Military School & College was a private military school located in Boonville, Missouri. Founded in 1844, Kemper filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2002. The school's motto was "Nunquam Non Paratus" (Never Not Prepared). The 46-acre camp ...

Boonville, Missouri Boonville is a city and the county seat of Cooper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 7,964 at the 2020 census. The city was the site of a skirmish early in the American Civil War, Civil War, on July 17, 1861. Union forces defeat ...

, and Florence State Teacher's College (Florence, Alabama) (now the

University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a public university in Florence, Alabama, United States. It is the state's oldest university. Occupying a campus in a residential section of Florence, UNA is located within a four-city area that also ...

), where he majored in physical education and biology. He was a quarterback on the football team, and acted in college plays. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1952. After graduating from college he enlisted in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

and was stationed at

Ramey Air Force Base Ramey Air Force Base also known as Borinquen Field, is a former United States Air Force base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It was named after United States Army Air Forces Brigadier General Howard Knox Ramey. Following its closure, it was redevel ...

in Puerto Rico. After his discharge, he taught for a year at

Hazel Green High School Hazel Green High School (HGHS) is a public high school in Hazel Green, Alabama, United States. It is the oldest school in the Madison County Schools district. History Building The earliest record of a school in Hazel Green, Alabama can b ...

Hazel Green, Alabama Hazel Green is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Madison County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the community ...

, while waiting to be accepted by the

American Theater Wing The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short) is a New York City–based non-profit organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre", according to its mission statement. Originally known as the Stage Women's War Relief ...

in New York City in 1956. On March 24, 1960, he appeared on the ''

To Tell the Truth ''To Tell the Truth'' is an American television panel show. Four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants (the "team of challengers", each an individual or pair) and must identify which is the "central character" whose unusual ...

'' television quiz show, posing as a Florida spear fisherman and ultimately revealing himself as a "nightclub comic.” After graduating from the Wing and performing in two Broadway plays, "Wonderful Town" and "All American", he moved to Los Angeles in 1962. He got parts in TV series including ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'', ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television series starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'', ''

The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American sitcom starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Company, it was br ...

'', ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...

'', ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (, 1734September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyo ...

'', ''

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' is a 1961 American science fiction disaster film, produced and directed by Irwin Allen, and starring Walter Pidgeon and Robert Sterling. The supporting cast includes Peter Lorre, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden ...

'' and three episodes of ''

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 a ...

'', before he got the role he would become famous for as "Goober" on ''

''.

''The Andy Griffith Show'', as Goober Pyle (1964)

In 1964, Lindsey was cast as the slow-witted but kindly Goober Beasley on ''

''. His character was later renamed

to tie him to his cousin

Gomer Pyle Gomer Pyle is a fictional character played by Jim Nabors and introduced in the middle of the third season of '' The Andy Griffith Show''. A naive and gentle auto mechanic, he became a recurring character with the January 1963 episode "Man i ...

, a slow-witted country boy played by

Jim Nabors James Thurston Nabors (June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017) was an American actor, singer, and comedian, widely known for his signature character, Gomer Pyle. Nabors was discovered by Andy Griffith while working at a Santa Monica nightclub, and ...

, also from Alabama. Goober's antics frequently included his exaggerated Goober Dance and his comically bad

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English and American actor. Known for his blended British and American accent, debonair demeanor, lighthearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing, he ...

impression. As Lindsey started his portrayal as Goober, he also had a minor role in the

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ''Come and Get It (1936 film), Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky (film), Kentucky'' (19 ...

series '' The Tycoon'' on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

. Lindsey played a sailor in the 1964 film ''

Ensign Pulver ''Ensign Pulver'' is a 1964 American Technicolor comedy drama film in Panavision and a sequel to the 1955 film '' Mister Roberts''. The film stars Robert Walker Jr., Burl Ives, Walter Matthau and Tommy Sands and features Millie Perkins, Larry H ...

'', the sequel to '' Mister Roberts''. He also had a role in a ''

'' episode entitled "Submarine Sunk Here". He appeared in six episodes of the television series ''

''. He played a blackmailing taxicab driver in the "Bed of Roses" episode of ''

''.

''Star Trek'', cast as Spock

During an interview segment of

TV Land TV Land is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global through its networks division's MTV Entertainment Group. It was originally launched as Nick at Nite’s TV Land as a spinoff of Nick at Nite programing block consisting e ...

's 40th Anniversary ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...

'' Marathon on November 12, 2006,

Leonard Nimoy Leonard Simon Nimoy ( ; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor and director, famous for playing Spock in the ''Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes Development of Spock, originating Spock in Star Trek: T ...

stated that

Gene Roddenberry Eugene Wesley Roddenberry Sr. (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991) was an American television screenwriter and producer who created the science fiction series and fictional universe ''Star Trek.'' Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up ...

's first choice to play

Spock Spock is a fictional Character (arts), character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He first appeared in the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star Trek'' series serving aboard the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), USS ''Enterpri ...

was George Lindsey. Because of the flippant way Nimoy makes the comment, it has been suggested that he was joking. The claim Lindsey was offered the role is given more credibility when Lindsey's close friend

Ernest Borgnine Ernest Borgnine ( ; born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American actor whose career spanned over six decades. He was noted for his gruff but relaxed voice and gap-toothed Cheshire Cat grin. A popular perf ...

wrote in his autobiography, "my hand to God – he turned down the part of Mr. Spock on TV's ''

'', the role that made Leonard Nimoy famous."

''Mayberry R.F.D.'', other acting work

After Griffith left his television show,

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

retooled it as '' Mayberry R.F.D.'' and Lindsey played the same character until CBS cancelled the program in 1971. In 1972, Lindsey portrayed Charlie, one of a pair of highwaymen in the ''

'' episode "Blind Man's Bluff", and an escaped convict, "The Dove", in an episode of ''

''.

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...

used his talents in a few projects, both as comedy support in features ('' Snowball Express'', ''

Treasure of Matecumbe ''Treasure of Matecumbe'' is a 1976 American adventure western film directed by Vincent McEveety and produced by Walt Disney Productions. It was based on the novel ''A Journey to Matecumbe'' by Robert Lewis Taylor. The filming locations were in ...

'') and voiceovers for a few of their animated characters. Three Disney animated features that presented the voice of Lindsey were ''

The Aristocats ''The Aristocats'' is a 1970 American Animated film, animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. It is directed by Wolfgang Reitherman and written by Ken Anderson (animator), Ken Ander ...

'' (1970), ''

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary noble outlaw, heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions o ...

'' (1973) and ''

The Rescuers ''The Rescuers'' is a 1977 American Animated film, animated adventure film, adventure comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Distribution. Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor respectively star as Bernard and B ...

'' (1977). He appeared in the 1967 ''

'' episode "Mad Dog" as one of the Watson Brothers. In 1978, Lindsey guest starred on ''

M*A*S*H ''M*A*S*H'' (an acronym for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) is an American media franchise consisting of a series of novels, a film, several television series, plays, and other properties, and based on the semi-autobiographical fiction of Richa ...

'' as Roy Dupree, a wild but capable Southern surgeon. In 1997 Lindsey played himself in an episode of ''

NewsRadio ''NewsRadio'' is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from March 21, 1995, to May 4, 1999, focusing on the work lives of the staff of a New York City AM news radio station. It had an ensemble cast featuring Dave Foley, Stephen R ...

''.

As Goober on ''Hee Haw'' (1972–1992)

Lindsey portrayed Goober for the third and last time on the syndicated country music variety show ''

Hee Haw ''Hee Haw'' is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with the fictional rural "Kornfield Kounty" as the backdrop. It aired from 1969 to 1993, and on TNN from 1996 to 1997. Reruns of the series were broadcast on ...

'', playing a more rustic and somewhat smarter version of the character. He appeared on that show from 1972 to 1992.

Personal life

Lindsey's marriage to Joyanne Herbert ended in divorce. They had a son, George Jr., and a daughter, Camden Jo Lindsey Gardner, as well as two grandsons. Nashville businesswoman Anne Wilson was Lindsey's companion for many years until his deathAdvisory Board - George Lindsey UNA Film Festival
/ref> on May 6, 2012, in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, from heart failure. He was 83. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama.

Honors and citations

Lindsey raised over US$1,000,000 for Alabama Special Olympics through 17 years of the George Lindsey Celebrity Weekend and Golf Tournament in

Montgomery, Alabama Montgomery is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama. Named for Continental Army major general Richard Montgomery, it stands beside the Alabama River on the Gulf Coastal Plain. The population was 2 ...

and another $50,000 for the Alabama Association of Retarded Citizens, and participated as Head Coach-Winter Games in the

Minneapolis Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

Special Olympics National Competition. He established and perpetuated the George Lindsey Academic Scholarships at

. In 1992, the university gave him an honorary doctorate. Lindsey was the 1995 recipient of the Governor's Achievement Award —

Alabama Music Hall of Fame The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, first conceived by the Muscle Shoals Music Association in the early 1980s, was created by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board, which then oversaw construction of a facility after a statewide referendum in 1987 ...

. The State of Alabama named the "George Lindsey Highway" in Jasper after the actor. In 1998, he established the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival that takes place at the University of North Alabama annually in the spring. He was the 1997 recipient of the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2007 recipient of the first ICON Award presented by the Nashville Associations of Talent Directors.

Partial filmography

*''

'' (1963) (Season 5 Episode 22: "Requiem at Mission Springs") as The Dove *''

'' (1963-1972) (6 episodes) **(Season 9 Episode 13: "Pa Hacks Brood") (1963) as Orville **(Season 10 Episode 8: "Hung High") (1964) as Bud **(Season 10 Episode 33: "Two Tall Men") (1965) as Billy **(Season 11 Episode 26: "Which Doctor") (1966) as Skeeter **(Season 12 Episode 17: Mad Dog") (1967) as Pinto Watson **(Season 17 Episode 22: "Blind Man's Buff") (1972) as Charlie Calvin *''

'' (1964) (3 episodes) **(Season 2 Episode 17: "The Jar") as Juke Marmer **(Season 2 Episode 29: "Bed of Roses") as Sam Kirby **(Season 3 Episode 1: "Return of Verge Likens") as D.D. Martin *''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American Western (genre), Western anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was ...

'' (1964) (Season 12 Episode 24: "The Death and the Fury") as John *''

'' (1964) (Season 1 Episode 1: "Ken-Tuck-E") as Wigeon *''

'' (1964) (Season 5 Episode 26: "I Am the Night – Color Me Black") as Deputy Pierce *''

'' (1964) as Lindstrom *'' The Joey Bishop Show'' (1964) (Season 4 Episode 4: "Joey and Larry Split") as Marine *''

'' (1964–1968) CBS TV Series (86 episodes) as Goober Pyle *'' Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.'' (1965-1968) (2 episodes) as Goober Pyle **(Season 2 Episode 11: "A Visit from Cousin Goober") (1965) **(Season 4 Episode 18: "Gomer Goes Home") (1968) *'' Mayberry R.F.D.'' (1968–1971) (71 episodes) as Goober Pyle *''

'' (1970) as Lafayette (voice) *'' Snowball Express'' (1972) as Double L. Dingman *''

Charley and the Angel ''Charley and the Angel'' is a 1973 American Disney family/comedy film set in an unidentified small city in the 1930s Depression-era Midwestern United States and starring Fred MacMurray in one of his final film appearances and his last film for ...

'' (1973) as Pete, Handyman *''

'' (1973) as Trigger, the Vulture (voice) *''

'' (1976) as Coahoma Sheriff *''

'' (1977) as Deadeye, The Rabbit (voice) *''

M*A*S*H (TV series) ''M*A*S*H'' is an American war comedy drama television series that aired on CBS from September 17, 1972, to February 28, 1983. It was developed by Larry Gelbart as the first original spin-off series adapted from the 1970 film of the same n ...

'' (1978) (Season 6 Episode 21: "Temporary Duty") as Captain Roy Dupree *''

Take This Job and Shove It "Take This Job and Shove It" is a 1977 country music song written by David Allan Coe and popularized by Johnny Paycheck, about the bitterness of a man who has worked long and hard with no apparent reward. The song was first recorded by Paycheck o ...

'' (1981) as Man at Gas Station *''

CHiPs ''CHiPs'' is an American crime drama television series created by Rick Rosner and originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983. After the final first-run telecast on NBC in May 1983, the series went into reruns on Sundays fr ...

'' (1982) (Season 5 Episode 15: "Bright Flashes") as Wayne Cato *''The American Snitch'' (1983) as Zeke *''

Cannonball Run II ''Cannonball Run II'' is a 1983 American action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast, released by Warner Bros. and Golden Harvest. The film is the second installment of the ''Cannonball Run'' trilogy and a sequel to ''The Ca ...

'' (1984) as Uncle Cal *''

Return to Mayberry ''Return to Mayberry'' is a 1986 American made-for-television romantic comedy film based on the 1960s sitcoms ''The Andy Griffith Show'' and '' Mayberry R.F.D.''. The film premiered on April 13, 1986, on NBC, and was the highest- rated televis ...

'' (1986) (TV movie) as Goober Pyle *''

'' (1997) (Season 3 Episode 15: "Rose Bowl") as Himself *''When I Find the Ocean'' (2006) as Ed Barker (final film role) *''

Larry the Cable Guy Daniel Lawrence Whitney (born February 17, 1963), known professionally as Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedy, stand-up comedian, actor, and former radio personality. He was one of the members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a ...

's Hula-Palooza Christmas Luau'' as Himself (2009) (final television role)

Autobiography

References

External links

* * *
George Lindsey UNA Film Festival
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lindsey, George 1928 births 2012 deaths Actors from Jefferson County, Alabama Actors from Walker County, Alabama Age controversies American male comedians American male film actors American male television actors American stand-up comedians Comedians from Alabama Kemper Military School alumni Male actors from Alabama Male actors from Nashville, Tennessee North Alabama Lions football players People from Fairfield, Alabama People from Jasper, Alabama United States Air Force airmen University of North Alabama alumni Writers from Alabama