George Lindsey, who is best known for playing the character Goober Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show,” died Sunday morning in Nashville, People reports.
After a lengthy hospitalization in Tennessee he passed away at 83, The Tennessean reported.
Andy Griffith, 85, was with Lindsay family’s when they announced his death. He said in a statement, “George Lindsey was my friend. I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit.”
Griffith also added that the two friends often spoke by phone. “Our last conversation was a few days ago. We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our 80s, we were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I love you.’ ”
Lindsey was an Alabama native who was raised by his grandparents, according to People. He first dove into acting when he was 14-years-old and preformed in the musical “Oklahoma!.” He was involved in his school’s athletics and always had a great sense of humor. The Tennessean adds Lindsey went to college to become a school teacher.
When Lindsey was in the Air Force and stationed in Orlando, Florida he met wife Joyanne Herbert. The two were married in 1955 and had two kids together. George and Joyanne divorced in 1991.
Lindsey played the lovable “Goober” character on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Mayberry RFD.” He also continued to snag a role in “Hee Haw” until the show ended in 1992. “America has grown up with me,” Lindsey said to the AP once. “Goober is every man; everyone finds something to like about ol’ Goober.”
The Tennessean reports George Lindsey is survived by son George Lindsey, Jr., daughter Camden Jo Lindsey Gardner, two grandsons and his partner of many years, Anne Wilson.
