(Editor’s note: This story was published in 2016. We have updated it at several points since, but anyone who died more recently may still show up among the surviving members of the cast)
Thelma Lou reportedly passed away Oct. 16, 2021.
That is, Betty Lynn, whom everybody knows as Barney Fife’s girlfriend on The Andy Griffith Show, passed away in October 2021, according to The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C.
Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle), meanwhile, passed away Nov. 29, 2017.
The show ended almost 50 years ago, and in recent years the number of surviving cast members has dwindled (Andy Griffith himself died in 2012). We put together a list of some of the show’s surviving actors — some who were regulars, some who had brief but memorable roles.
The following slides feature some of the notable characters that showed up in Mayberry. Roughly, they’re in order beginning with the most appearances on the show.
Ron Howard (Opie Taylor)
You know how those child stars always turn out, right?
Opie, of course, played the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith). Since starring in Happy Days, Howard has directed a few movies you might have seen.
Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker)
The “lady druggist” with the toothy smile was Andy’s love interest during the first season. (Before that, she had played the eldest daughter on “Father Knows Best.”)
Jack Burns (Warren Ferguson)
Replacing Don Knotts’ Barney Fife as Mayberry’s deputy was the comedy equivalent of replacing Bear Bryant as Alabama’s football coach. And even more short-lived.
Other kids on the show
Many actors who played children are still around. They include Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason), Sheldon Collins (Arnold Bailey), Dennis Rush (Howie Pruitt), Ronda Jeter (Karen Burgess), David Bailey (Trey Bowden), John Reilly (Billy), Ronnie Dapo (Arnold Winkler) and Ron Howard’s real-life brother, Clint Howard, who played the peanut-butter-sandwich-chomping Leon.
The Darlings
Denver Pyle (Briscoe) and Doug Dillard (Doug) have passed away.
Not so for Maggie Peterson (Charlene), Rodney Dillard (Rodney), Mitch Jayne (Mitch) and Dean Webb (Dean).
Doug, Rodney, Mitch and Dean formed The Dillards, a real-life bluegrass band.
Ken Berry (Sam Jones)
More commonly associated with Mayberry R.F.D., he showed up at the end of TAGS to establish his character.
Josie Lloyd (Josephine/Juanita Pike; Lydia Crosswaithe)
Lloyd played Mayor Pike’s tone-deaf, awkward daughter. Later she appeared as the monotone Lydia, who had no chemistry with Andy: “I don’t mind the clarinet or the saxophone, but I hate the guitar.”