George “Goober” Lindsey (1928 – 2012)

The population of the  TV town of Mayberry just dropped by one, Goober Pyle.  George Lindsey who played Goober on “The Andy Griffith Show” died at age 83.

George had one of those unique challenges in television, to replace a popular character on a popular show.  He was hired to replace Jim Nabors who played Gomer Pyle on “Andy Griffith” .

But once George Lindsay got the roll of car mechanic Goober Pyle, he never let it go, even when the series wrapped up.  He stuck around for the spin-off “Mayberry R.F.D.” and when that show was cancelled, Goober was part of the  country sketch comedy show “Hee Haw” for over another twenty years.

Read more at msnbc.com