Betty Lynn
Betty Lynn | |
|---|---|
 Betty Lynn and Ian Oliver Martin in 2011 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn August 29, 1926 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Other names | Betty Ann Lynn |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1940-2006 |
Elizabeth Ann Theresa "Betty" Lynn (born August 29, 1926) is a former American actress. She is known for having played Thelma Lou (Barney Fife's girlfriend) on The Andy Griffith Show. She, along with Elinor Donahue, is one of the two surviving regular female cast members of that show.
Career
Lynn was born in Kansas City, Missouri,[1] and began acting in radio. She was later discovered in a Broadway production by Darryl F. Zanuck and signed to 20th Century Fox.[2] Lynn made her film debut in the 1948 film Sitting Pretty opposite Robert Young. That same year, she appeared in June Bride with Bette Davis followed by roles in Mother Is a Freshman (1949), Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), and Payment on Demand (1951).
In the 1953–1954 television season, Lynn was cast as June Wallace, the fictitious sister-in-law of the Ray Bolger character in the ABC sitcom Where's Raymond? Allyn Joslyn played her husband, Jonathan Wallace. Lynn and Joslyn left the series in its second season when it was renamed The Ray Bolger Show.[3]
After guest starring on various television series including Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, The Gale Storm Show, Sugarfoot, and Markham, Lynn won the role of Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show. She portrayed the role regularly from 1961 until 1965, then made a final guest appearance in one episode during the sixth season (1965–1966).
Following the end of The Andy Griffith Show, Lynn continued appearing in various television and film roles. In 1986, she reprised the role of Thelma Lou in the reunion television movie Return to Mayberry in which Thelma Lou and Barney Fife were finally married. In 2006, Lynn retired from acting and relocated to Mount Airy, North Carolina, the hometown of Andy Griffith and the town on which Mayberry is believed to have been based despite Griffith's repeated denials.[2]
Betty Lynn has never married, although she has said she was once engaged.[4] She makes monthly appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy to sign autographs and meet with her fans.
Honors
In 2007, Lynn was inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame, located in Marshfield, Missouri, and is still "The Cats". [5]
On August 30, 2016 North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory granted and North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest presented Lynn with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in North Carolina. [6]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Apartment for Peggy | Wife | Credited as Betty Ann Lynn |
| June Bride | Babara Brinker | ||
| 1949 | Father Was a Fullback | Constance "Connie" Cooper | |
| Mother is a Freshmen | Daughter | ||
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas | Young Bride | Alternative title: Viva Las Vegas! |
| 1959 | Louisiana Hussy | Lili Guillot |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | M Squad | Susan Baines | Episode: "The Trap" |
| 1958 | Lawman | Edna Phillips | Episode: "The Oath" |
| 1958 | Wagon Train | Molly Richardson | Episode: "The Dick Richardson Story" |
| 1958 | Bronco | Molly Bailey | Episode: "Baron of Broken Lace" |
| 1959 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Mary Francis | Episode: "The Bounty Hunter" |
| 1959 | Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | Mona | Episode: "Pen Pals" |
| 1959 | Sugarfoot | Sarah Sears | Episode "The Royal Raiders" |
| 1959 | Sugarfoot | Alice Fenton | Episode "The Twister" |
| 1960-1966 | The Andy Griffith Show | Thelma Lou | 26 episodes |
| 1960 | National Velvet | Barbara Howard | Episode: "Mi's Girl" |
| 1963 | The Farmer's Daughter | Sylvia | Episode: "The Speechmaker: Part 2" |
| 1965 | The Smothers Brothers Show | Vera | Episode: "Here Comes the Bridegroom" |
| 1967–1970 | My Three Sons | Janet/Janice; Lois | 7 episodes |
| 1966–1968 | Family Affair | Miss Lee | 4 episodes |
| 1969 | The Mod Squad | Mrs. Hill | Episode: "The Healer" |
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie | Bridget | Episode: "If I Should Wake Before I Die" |
| 1978 | Barnaby Jones | Mrs. Russell | Episode: "Blind Jeopardy" |
| 1986 | Matlock | Sarah | 4 episodes |
References
- ^ Robinson, Dale; Fernandes, David (1996). The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference: Episode-by-Episode, With Cast and Production Biographies and a Guide to Collectibles. McFarland. p. 267. ISBN 0-7864-0136-2.
- ^ a b Breed, Allen G. (2007-09-28). "'Thelma Lou' moves to Mount Airy after L.A. break-ins". news-record.com. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ^ "Where's Raymond?/ The Ray Bolger Show". ctva.biz. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ^ "Actress Who Played Thelma Lou Reminisces About Andy Griffith". Huffington Post. August 29, 2013.
- ^ "Marshfield, Missouri Cherry Blossom Fest". cherryblossomfest.com. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ^ "Lt. Gov. Honors Lynn". Mount Airy News.
