George Lindsey

George Lindsey (born December 17, 1935) is an American character actor, best known for his role as "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith Show.

Early life

George Lindsey was born in Fairfield, and raised in the Walker County town of Jasper. Lindsey graduated from Kemper Military School and Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama) with a Bachelor of Bioscience. Before moving to Los Angeles, he was a public high school teacher in Madison County. After serving in the Air Force, he tried to break into show business in New York City.

Acting career

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

In 1964, he got his big break as the slow-witted but kindly hick "Goober Beasley" on the now legendary The Andy Griffith Show. His character was eventually renamed "Goober Pyle" to retain the same name as his cousin Gomer Pyle, another slow-witted yokel played by Jim Nabors (coincidentally another Alabama native). Goober's antics frequently included his exaggerated "Goober Dance" and his comically bad Cary Grant impression ("Judy, Judy, Judy").

Mayberry R.F.D., other acting works

After Griffith left his television show, CBS retooled it as Mayberry R.F.D. and Lindsey played the same character, until CBS cancelled R.F.D. in 1971. Later in the 1970s, Lindsey guest starred on M*A*S*H as Roy Dupree, a Southern surgeon working at the 8063rd Unit who switched places at the 4077th with Hawkeye Pierce.

Disney used his talents in a few projects, both as comedy support in features and voiceovers for a few of their animated characters. Three Disney animated features that presented the voice of Lindsey were The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood (1973) and The Rescuers (1977).

As "Goober" Lindsey on Hee Haw (1972-1992) and beyond

Lindsey put on his "Goober" act for the third and last time on the long running syndicated country music variety show Hee Haw. He appeared on that show from 1972 to 1992.

Following Hee Haw, George "Goober" Lindsey had a short cameo in the "Rose Bowl" episode of NewsRadio, he was called as a witness in a civil case and asked only one question: "Mr. Lindsey, is this your skull?" He examined the skull and said, "no." At that point he was dismissed.

Honors and Citations

Lindsey has raised over $1,000,000 for Alabama Special Olympics through 17 years of the George Lindsey Celebrity Weekend and Golf Tournament in Montgomery. Lindsey has also raised over fifty thousand dollars for the Alabama Association of Retarded Citizens.

Amongst his other awards and accomplishments:

• Participated as Head Coach Winter Games in Minneapolis, MN Special Olympics National Competition.

• Established and perpetuated the George Lindsey Academic Scholarships at University of North Alabama.

• 1995 Recipient of Governor's Achievement Award - Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

• 1997 Recipient of the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award.

• In 1998, he established the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival that takes place at the University of North Alabama annually in the spring.

• 2007 Recipient of the first ICON Award presented by the Nashville Associations of Talent Directors.

• The State of Alabama named the "George Lindsey Highway" in Birmingham after the actor.

Lindsey's autobiography, "Goober in a Nutshell", was published in 1995.

External links

• George Lindsey at the Internet Movie Database
• George Lindsey UNA Film Festival

References

• George Lindsey. (2008, February 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:00, February 26, 2008.