On This Day In Alabama History: Actor George Lindsey Was Born

By Alabama NewsCenter Staff

Character actor and Alabama native George Lindsey (1928-2012) was most well-known for playing the role of “Goober Pyle” in the television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” Lindsey also performed on the stage and screen and lent his voice to many cartoon and animated characters. An only child, Lindsey was born during the Great Depression on Dec. 17, 1928, in Fairfield, Alabama, and was raised in Jasper primarily by his grandparents. Lindsey became interested in theater at age 14 after attending the musical “Oklahoma” in Birmingham and began participating in school theater productions while attending Florence State Teacher’s College (now the University of North Alabama.) Although he left Alabama after graduation, Lindsey was active in charitable and cultural events across the state and established the George Lindsey Academic Scholarships at the University of North Alabama. In appreciation, the university hosts an annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival each spring. When “The Andy Griffith Show” ended in 1968, Goober Pyle moved to a new spin-off series, “Mayberry R.F.D.,” starring Ken Berry. Lindsey later became a central cast member for 20 years in the hit country-themed show “Hee Haw.” He also appeared in well-known films like “Take This Job and Shove It” and “Cannonball Run II.”

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