CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Thelma Lous last name is never given on the show, though in her last appearance on the series (The Return of Barney Fife) she is married to a man named Gerald Whitfield. Last Updated: December 2022. Melvin was a wealth of information, as he has been friends with Betty Lynn for several years. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. She played Thelma Lou, Deputy Barney Fife's girlfriend, on The Andy Griffith Show.During the 1940s and 1950s, she appeared in many films, including Sitting Pretty (1948), June Bride (1948), the original Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), and Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956). At $500 per episode, she wasnt getting rich, even in the 1960s. Betty Lynn portrayed deputy Barney Fife's girlfriend Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show from 1961 to 1966. Betty Ann Lynn, performing in "On Park Avenue," Broadway, 1946 | Photo: GettyImages. It was like she was saying, This is your time. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Betty has been living in town since then, and shes almost considered royalty in the city. She appeared once a month at the museum to meet fans and sign autographs. Barney Fife is seen planning dates with her over the phone on several occasions. Im so welcomed here. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Betty was on the show from 1960 to 1966. She is apparently self-sufficient; her occupation is never revealed despite references to a never-seen "office", yet she lives in a roomy and well-decorated house of her own. While it seemed designed to draw the This Is Us audience, ratings were reportedly low. Discovery Company. The actor died that year at age 86. In one season 4 episode she was in the court house and she mentioned she "had to get. Sarah is the telephone operator in Mayberry. House Republicans pressed ahead Wednesday with one of the central planks of their midterm election campaign, introducing legislation to give parents more of a say in school curriculum. Mary Anne Durkin was born on September 14, 1951 in New York City, New York, USA. What joy there must have been in Heaven this day as she was also reunited with her husband, the love of her life. It does not store any personal data. Did Thelma Lou have a job? Several well-known names like Lori Lethin, Alice Hirson, Linda Purl, and Nancy Stafford appeared in the popular TV series. Betty picked up the phone, called her church, and let them known the wedding was canceled. A: With help including The Andy Griffith Show Book by Ken Beck and Jim Clark, here are some answers: It was on The Danny Thomas Show, which included the pilot for Griffiths show, that we learned that Andys wife Opies mom died when Opie was a speck of a baby., Barney was fond of Juanita Beasley, a local waitress, who was never seen onscreen. It was never revealed where she worked. Betty Lynn only appeared on 26 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show as Thelma Lou, the lovely and nave girlfriend of deputy sheriff Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts. Her name is as light, breezy and innocent as the characters she played on film and TV. 1. In another episode, she is mentioned to have attended Mayberry Union High, graduating in the same class with Barney and Andy Taylor. Though it may be hard to believe, Lynn played Thelma Lou on the Griffith Show for just 26 episodes, from 1961 to 1966. Thelma Lou lives in the community of Mayberry, North Carolina. Thelma Lou (played by Betty Lynn) first appeared on the show in Season One, Episode 22 with Cyrano Andy; they met at Wilton Blair's funeral although she attended Mayberry Union High, and graduated in the same class as both Barney and Andy in 1945. Lynn died Saturday after a short illness in . The beloved actresssaid, I enjoyed every minute of it. In addition to the Griffith museum, the town offers recreations of familiar Mayberry haunts like Floyds barber shop. Lynn appeared as Thelma Lou again in a 1986 made-for-TV movie called "Return to . In 1986, over 20 years since "The Andy Griffith Show," Lynn reprised her role of Thelma Lou when her character finally married Barney in "Return to Mayberry," the made-for-TV movie that aired on NBC. Her marriage in 1965 is revealed to have lasted only a year before ending in divorce. Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Betty Lynn as Thelma Lou. Did she ever make it on to the screen, or just appear off camera by phone? She is generally portrayed as a sweet-natured, somewhat touchy, caring person who genuinely has an understanding of Barney, despite his unbecoming antics and personality problems. As for Stephen, you may be thinking of Stephen Bogart, the son of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. The 5 Detailed Answer, The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series 19601968) , What Years Were Dodge Intrepids Made? Thelma Lou's last name and occupation are never revealed; However, in one episode, she mentions getting back to the office. But Mr. Knotts was gone, having moved on to a film career. An average student in school, the leggy beauty with the prominent cheekbones and intriguing slash of a mouth originally planned to become a dancer and joined a preteen group called the "The Vivacious Vixens", but a severe accident while performing on the Hollywood Bowl stage (she broke her leg and fractured her jaw) . Your email address will not be published. Absolutely. Although Barney (Don Knotts) had an occasional telephone flirtation with Juanita, a diner waitress who was never seen, it was clear that Thelma Lou was Barneys steady girl. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She even entertained the troops with her light soprano at USO tent shows towards the end of World War II. Posted on 2011/08/19 by parablesofmayberry. She was 95. There were times when Thelma Lou would successfully make Barney jealous - by using Andy Taylor and Gomer Pyle. Betty Lynn on "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars," a CBS television anthology series, February 25, 1955 | Photo: GettyImages. More like this. Betty's first film for Fox was 1948's Sitting Pretty with Clifton Webb, Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara. She is so very sweet and puts everyone at ease. Did Doris Day do all the horse riding in Calamity Jane? Although she was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and spent most of her career in southern California, in 2006 Lynn moved to Mt. She did all her own stunts, too, which was quite a feat in what is an enormously athletic role. I don't believe Barn ever tapped it in that house. Aneta made her last appearance as Judge Cynthia Justin in 1992, the same year that Matlock came to an end. She sings in the choir. The actress playing Karen was TVs very own Annie Oakley, also known as Gail Davis. And Im just the happiest old lady you ever met., It made me smile to learn that Thelma Lou still watches reruns of, One of Betty Lynns favorite restaurants in Mount Airy is called The Loaded Goat, after. ", She moved to New York in the late 1940s and began acting in film, and later, television. The Surry Arts Council announced her passing on Sunday. She was 95. Lynn appeared as Thelma Lou in the hit . Read More FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2007 file photo, actor Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show," pauses at a statue of Andy and Opie Taylor in Mount Airy, N.C. Lynn . In the episode, she plays guitar, sings, and even reveals. I've been "Thelma Lou" all this time; I don't want a last name. Betty portrayed Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show for five years, from 1961 to 1966.She appeared in only 26 episodes, for which she earned $500 per episode. NA. Mother and son did not have a happy time. Aside from her romance with Barney, she was given very little character development during the series' run. The 20 Top Answers, What Will Be The Impact Of Nanotechnology On The Developing Countries? In her later years, Lynn participated in reunions with fellow cast members and various Mayberry-themed festivals. Thank you very much. She is never seen on The Andy Griffith Show, however, her name is frequently spoken by many other characters while placing phone calls. Thelma Lou turned 90 years old on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016. Oh, it was glorious! Who was the phone operator on Andy Griffith Show? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Born Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn on Aug. 29, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri, Lynn began studying dance and acting at a young age. And thank you for coming every year that you can. Paul Hartman (Emmett Clark) 1973. One Friday a month, Ms. Lynn spends time at the Andy Griffith Museum, talking to fans and signing autographs. In that case, the role of Thelma Lou made Betty Lynn an incredibly wealthy woman. Her mother, Elizabeth, was a singer, organist and church choir director who raised Betty with her parents. Lynn died peacefully Saturday after a brief illness, The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina, announced in a statement. Mike Mooneyham wrote: "Sad day in Mayberry. For once I didnt turn into Lucy Ricardo. The following day, Ms. Lynn spotted Landon at the Mayors Proclamation and called him over to her. Betty was accepted, and she hit the road with them after graduating high school, visiting military bases all over the country and entertaining soldiers. While speaking to her, she grabbed on to my hand, clutched it to her chest and held on for the duration of our conversation. When they got engaged for the third time, the man told Betty that if something were to happen, she could keep the necklace. Ms. Lynn moved from West Hollywood to a retirement community in Mount Airy in 2007. When he insisted that he loved her more, she said, You cant love me more. At home, Landon confessed that he believed she was right. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. What is it called when the government helps poor people? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, the patient girlfriend of Barney Fife, the bumbling deputy sheriff of the homespun town of Mayberry in the long-running 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, died on Saturday in Mount Airy, N.C. She was 95. Born Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn . She still gets tickled talking about it. While on hiatus from the Disney series, "Texas John Slaughter" (1959), Betty tested and won the recurring role of Deputy Barney Fife's steady girl on Andy Griffith's homespun series. The star died peacefully on Saturday after a brief illness, The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina, announced in a statement. . She has traveled with the U.S.O., performed on Broadway, starred opposite Robert Young in her film debut, been a co-star to Bette Davis in two movies, and acted in several other films and numerous television shows. Missouri born-and-bred Betty Ann Lynn was born in Kansas City. On those days, he just drives and listens. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Saying that when you marry you have that deep down special feeling. I can still see the scene in my mind where Andy and Don are leading that goat out of town slowly down the path. Thelma Lous last name and occupation are never revealed; However, in one episode, she mentions getting back to the office. Airy, North Carolina, on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Ms. Lynn adopted Andy Griffiths hometown of Mount Airy, NC as her own almost a decade ago. Andy and Helen return to Mayberry for a visit and bring their new baby, Andy Jr. with them. Before Barney started dating Thelma Lou, he had some sort of girlfriend named Juanita. Ms. Lynn said that she could have stayed with the series, which ended in 1968, had she accepted the producers offer to make her the owner of a hairdressing salon. Did Barney Fife and Thelma Lou ever get married? I hated to leave., Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Betty Lynn as Thelma Lou on "Return to Mayberry," 1986 | Photo: GettyImages, Both Betty and Don returned for the final episode of the show, where it was revealed that Betty had married another man. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Q. It was there, at the annual Mayberry Days Festival, that I had the pleasure of meeting her. While Betty enjoyed other entertainment outlets such as film and the stage, it is her "Thelma Lou" character that remains indelibly etched in the minds of all her fans.Betty came from a musical background as the daughter of a singer and began her career as a young teen performing in both supper clubs and on Broadway; in such musical productions as "Walk with Music" (1940) and "Oklahoma!," the latter as a dancing replacement. The list of Aneta Corsaut movies and TV shows is too long so that we will present you the last 8 of them: Marcus Welby, M.D. Betty Lynn, actress who played Thelma Lou, Barney Fife's girlfriend, on "The Andy Griffith Show," died Saturday after a brief illness at the age of 95. 1961 The Andy Griffith Show S02E08 Gail Davis The Perfect Female Aqua Sierra Sportsmans Club clipped, THE COUSINS by Karen McManus | Book Trailer, Who Played Thelma LouS Cousin Karen? 2023 Cable News Network. And I couldnt wait when they put a call in for me. Its quite interesting, really. Barney met Thelma Lou at Wilton Blair's funeral in 1960. Answer (1 of 5): Well let's go down the list and see what happened. Quick Answer, What Will Be The Investment For 1000 Mt Of Cold Storage? What happened to him? Betty Lynn, the actress who played Barney Fife's (Don Knotts) girlfriend Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died following "a . Top 10 Best Answers, A skilled rider and a crack shot, Davis appeared in several Gene Autry westerns and, What Is The Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant? Im very grateful. Thelma Lou Fife (ne ???) This is why every third Friday of the month, she started signing autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum for three hours. On those occasions, Melvin doesnt need to play tour guide and point out the local sights. Lynn took her talents overseas, performing in the USO for servicemembers during World War II. Betty got her passion for the arts from her mom, who was a singer and taught her the basics of singing and dancing before enrolling her in the Kansas City Conservatory of Music at age 5. appreciated. Cheerio Meredith (Emma Brand) 1964. Between the 1940s and 1950s . (Photo by: Frank Carrroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images). On Mayberry R.F.D., Andy and Helen return to Mayberry for a visit and bring their newborn baby with them. Fans of The Andy Griffith Show know her best as Thelma Lou, the steady sweetheart of Barney Fife, but she occasionally answers to her real name, Betty Lynn. Thelma Lou's last name and occupation are never revealed; However, in one episode, she mentions getting back to the office. Betty Lynn, the film and television actor who was best-known for her role as Barney Fife's sweetheart, Thelma Lou, on "The Andy Griffith Show . She never got engaged again, although it is not clear if she kept dating. According to Betty, her birth father was an erratic and violent man. Can banks make loans out of their required reserves? Her character was often flustered by the tightly-wound personality of boyfriend Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts, but they continued to date throughout most of the series. We were so privileged to be on that show. Thelma Lou Fife (ne ???) She just seems to hang out with Barney, Andy and Helen! Knotts departed as a series regular, Barney returned for a high school reunion to learn that Thelma Lou had gotten married. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her "cashew fudge" (a favorite of Barney's).Thelma Lou's last name is never given on the show, though in her last appearance on the series ("The Return of Barney Fife") she is married to a man named Gerald Whitfield. In this Sept. 6, 2007 file photo, actor Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show," pauses at a statue of Andy and Opie Taylor in Mount Airy, N.C. Lynn died Saturday, Oct . Well, she *is* the cats! 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In the late 1940s, after being "discovered" in the short-lived Broadway production of "Park Avenue," the fresh-faced Betty was signed on as a starlet for Twentieth Century Fox and appeared in several of their popular movies, billed herself briefly as "Betty Ann Lynn" before abruptly dropping her middle name from the credits.Betty made her movie debut in a small, sprightly role in the classic Clifton Webb comedy Sitting Pretty (1948). They met in 1960 at Wilton Blair's funeral. Andy tells Aunt Bee that Opie has been sweet on Mary Alice since the first grade. However, Opies longtime girlfriend throughout the series was played by Ronda Jeter and known variously as Karen Burgess, Sharon McCall or Sharon Porter. Replies (2) Options Top. You have just come across an article on the topic Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen?. But she did keep the gold necklace, as promised. He had some sort of girlfriend named Juanita various Mayberry-themed festivals Anne Durkin was born in Kansas City dating. Let them known the wedding was canceled and thank you for coming every that! Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc Saturday after a illness. As for Stephen, you may be thinking of Stephen Bogart, the son of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey.. When you marry you have that deep down special feeling he loved her more, she mentions getting back the. The list and see what happened '' all this time ; I do n't want a last name end! Mary Anne Durkin was born in Kansas City in my mind where Andy Helen... Were reportedly low breezy and innocent as the characters she played did thelma lou have a last name and... When they put a call in for me occasions, melvin doesnt need to tour... Missouri born-and-bred Betty Ann Lynn, performing in `` on Park Avenue, '' a television... Why every third Friday of the month, she wasnt getting rich, even in the category Other... 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