George Lindsey, Mayberry’s ‘Goober Pyle,’ dies at 83

George Lindsey, who spent nearly 30 years as the grinning Goober on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Hee Haw,” died May 6 in Nashville. He was 83.

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Aug. 5, 1985

George "Goober" Lindsey, the jovial persona on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Hee Haw." Lindsey, who portrayed Goober Pyle in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show," died, Sunday, May 6, 2012. He was 83.

/ AP

March 15, 1975

Actor George Lindsey at the celebrity superstar games held in Rotunda, Fla.

Jim Bourdier / AP

June 30, 1977

Actor George Lindsey posing for a picture.

JLR / AP

Oct. 16, 1977

Tommy Lasorda, left, who managed the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series only to lose to the New York Yankees, takes a turn at slapstick humor as he makes a guest appearance on the TV show "Hee Haw." George Lindsey, a regular on the show that featured dry, corny jokes, gives Lasorda some pointers on how to gag up a joke in Los Angeles.

Nick Ut / AP

May 1982

George Lindsey in character.

/ AP

Dec. 28, 1984

Actor George Lindsey posing for a photo outside of a Los Angeles restaurant.

Reed Saxon / AP

May 1992

This May 1992 photo provided by the The Andy Griffith Show shows Jim Nabors, right, with George Lindsey.

AP / AP

Feb. 5, 1998

George Lindsey, who portrayed Goober, in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show".

Lloyd Gallman / AP

June 27, 2001

Actors Don Knotts who played the role of Barney Fife, right, along with George Lindsey, who played Goober and Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou, left, arrive at a reception at the Governor's Mansion in Nashville. Ten original cast members of the "The Andy Griffith Show" were in Nashville for "Mayberry Reunion Weekend."

John Russell / AP

March 7, 2004

Actor George Lindsey of "The Andy Griffith Show" attends the 2nd Annual TV Land Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

May 6, 2007

Singer and songwriter Ray Stevens, left, and actor George Lindsey perform the Sonny James song "Running Bear" at the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in Nashville.

Mark Humphrey / AP

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