George Lindsey, the actor best known as gas station mechanic “Goober Pyle” on The Andy Griffith Show and from appearances on Hee Haw, died at 12:05 am on Sun., May 6 after a brief illness. He was 83.

Born in Fairfield, AL, on Dec. 17, 1928, George Smith Lindsey was the only child of Alice Smith Lindsey and George Ross Lindsey.

His stompin’ grounds included his Aunt Ethel’s gas station, where mechanics wore felt caps to keep the grease and oil from dripping into their hair. Those caps inspired his trademark “beanie” worn by Goober.

He graduated from Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in 1952, with a scholarship earned by becoming starting quarterback.

Lindsey joined the Air Force, serving mostly at Pinecastle Air Force Base, responsible for organizing plays and entertainment for servicemen. He also worked at nearby Rollins College in Winter Haven where he met Joyanne Herbert. They were married in 1955.

Lindsey was discharged and accepted at the American Theater Wing in NYC with the help of GI Bill funds. His work as a comedian and actor in nightclubs eventually led to a contract with the William Morris Agency.

The Lindsey family moved to Hollywood where he found work in The Rifleman and Gunsmoke, The Real McCoys, The Twilight Zone, several Disney productions and three episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Lindsey auditioned for the role of “Gomer Pyle” on the Andy Griffith Show, but lost it to Jim Nabors in 1962. He later landed the role of “Goober,” “Gomer’s” cousin for four seasons on Andy Griffith and three on the sequel series, Mayberry R.F.D.

He spent two decades as a regular on the syndicated Hee Haw where he dressed as Goober but was usually addressed as George. Lindsey separated from his wife and made Nashville his permanent home in the early 1990s. He embraced the Goober character even wearing the “Goober Suit” costume for stand-up shows.

In addition to co-founding the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at his alma mater, Lindsey was involved in the Country single and video “Find Me a Man Like Goober” in 2007, and Larry the Cable Guy’s “Hula -Palooza Christmas Luau” in 2009.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters UNA in 1992, inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 due to his work with the Special Olympics. The George Lindsey Theater was dedicated this year on the UNA campus where his career memorabilia is on display. He received the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In 2004, Lindsey shared the TV Land Legend Award with other members of the “Griffith” cast and crew.

Lindsey often commented that he was torn about what he wanted his tombstone to say. One choice goes for the joke: “I told you I was sick.” The other goes for the heart: “I hope I made you laugh.”

George Lindsey is survived by son George Lindsey, Jr., of Woodland Hills, CA.; daughter Camden Jo Lindsey Gardner, and her family of Valencia, CA.; cousin, Rebecca Weber of Gadsden, AL.; and companion, Anne Wilson of Nashville.

Visitation and funeral arrangements are forthcoming. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home of Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lindsey’s memory may be made to: Special Olympics Alabama, 880 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104; UNA Foundation, with a designation to the George Lindsey Film and Digital Media Scholarship, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632; or another charity of the donor’s choice.

News from Nashville meets Hollywood:

• Lifetime is making a June Carter Cash biopic based on John Carter Cash’s book about his mother, Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. Jewel will play the lead and Johnny Cash will be played by Matt Ross (American Horror Story, Big Love). Filming will commence early this summer in Atlanta, with the movie slated to premiere later this year. The June Carter Cash Story (working title) follows June from early childhood in the rural mountains of Virginia through her rise to fame with The Carter Family. It covers June’s first two marriages, life with her daughters and only son, her role in saving Johnny Cash’s life during his battles with substance abuse, and her faith in God.

Allison Anders (Southland, Grace of My Heart, Gas, Food Lodging) is set to direct from a screenplay by Oscar®-nominated writer Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime’s Of Two Minds, A River Runs Through It). The June Carter Cash Story will be produced by Asylum Entertainment, with Emmy®-winning Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch, and John Carter Cash executive producing.

• JD Souther is the latest addition to the cast of upcoming ABC-TV pilot Nashville. He told The Tennessean he plays legendary producer and songwriter “Watty Whitem,” known for his work with lead character “Rayna James,” the country singer struggling to stay on top played by Connie Britton (ABC’s Friday Night Lights, FX’s American Horror Story). Hayden Panettiere, who first rose to prominence on ABC’s Heros, will play rising star “Juliette Barnes.” More here.

 

Musicians Corner will kick off its third season tomorrow Sat., May 5 with a beer & wine garden and Cinco de Mayo celebration with main stage performances from 3 – 6 pm.

The afternoon of music will include Latin Salsa band Afinke, Sugar & The Hi Lows, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Escondido, Anderson East, Rayvon Owen and Punchinello. Additionally, a mobile food court lunch is available from 11 am – 3 pm with The Dog of the Day Award presentation, Kidsville activities including decorating maracas, and giveaways.

The Musicians Corner Seasonal Beer Garden opens at 2 pm, one hour before the main stage performances each Saturday. The garden will be located next to the main performance stage for attendees 21 and up.

Next week’s May 11 performances feature Emily West, k.s. Roads, Julie Lee, Jason Eskridge, Cyndy Fike, Cassie Peterson, and Coleman.

The 2012 Spring Season will also involve Capitol Records artist Lighter Ray (June 9), The Hogslop String Band (June 17), Kopecky Family Band (June 23) and The Farewell Drifters (June 30).

For more information, click here.