The Andy Griffith Showwas one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time and was populated with countless incredible characters. While the show revolved around Andy Griffith as the Mayberry Sheriff Andy Taylor, there were so many more hilarious characters and quirky personalities that made up thisall-time great 1960s series. With the likes of the bumbling deputy Barney Fife and endearing child Opie Taylor among its cast, the characters in this CBS series made it a ratings hit throughout its entire eight-season run.
Thebest episodes ofThe Andy Griffith Showgave time over to its incredible cast of amazing supporting characters, as everyone from the local barber to the town drunk added to the community’s unique appeal. Withall-time great comedians like Don Knottsandchild actor-turned-filmmakerRon Howard among its cast members, there was some serious talent on display in this series.The Andy Griffith Showhas endured so well into the 21st century because it had characters that viewers just loved to watch, root for, and learn from.
10Charlene Darling
Played by Maggie Peterson
Charlene Darling was the attractive but naive daughter of the mountain-dwelling musical family, the Darlings, inThe Andy Griffith Show. As a flirtatious young blonde who always caused trouble for Sheriff Taylor, her belief in mountain lore caused its fair share of problems. As an object of desire for Ernest T. Bass, Charlene had a great love for her husband, Dud, but ended up divorcing him because he looked at another woman.Charlene often showcased her musical talents when she sang and played with her brothersOether, Jebbin, Ward, and Frankie.
Charlene also harbored a liking for Andy and was even betrothed to him in a covert mountain ceremony that he unknowingly took part in. However, Deputy Fife’s research into mountain ceremonies meant it was halted before the marriage could actually take place. As a funny, feisty, and flirtatious character, Charlene was just one of the many great side characters that populated the world ofThe Andy Griffith Show.
9Floyd Lawson
Played by Howard McNear
Floyd Lawson was the town barber inThe Andy Griffith Show, who was played by Howard McNear, although Walter Baldwin also played the role in the 1960 episode “Stranger in Town.” As a scatterbrained man with a love for gossip, Floyd the Barber contributed to some of the show’s funniest moments and was a quirky addition to Mayberry’s community. As an essential character who gained an important place in popular culture, Floyd’s legacy has been referenced in everything fromArrested DevelopmenttoSons of Anarchy.
As the town barber,Floyd was a central figure in Mayberry, whose interactions with the whole town meant he kept up to date with all the gossip and hilarious happenings. With a speaking style categorized by pauses and half-finished thoughts, Floyd’s constant air of confusion was also part of his charm.
8Juanita Beasley
Unseen character
It’s a testament to the unique appeal ofThe Andy Griffith Showthat one of its best characters was actually an unseen figure. Much like the telephone operator Sarah or the YLRB radio announcer Leonard Blush,Juanita Beasley never appeared on screenbut was known to be a waitress at the Bluebird Diner in Mayberry. Despite her lack of screen time, Juanita made quite the impression as Barney Fife continually tried to plan dates with her.
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As a recurring character throughout the show’s first five seasons, the fact that Juanita never actually appeared onscreen made her existence all the more hilarious. While audiences never caught a glimpse of Juanita, they did get to hear Barney on the phone with her, and their calls always ended up in embarrassing ways. Juanita sits right beside Vera Peterson fromCheers, Maris Crane fromFrasier, and Bob Sacamano fromSeinfeldin the long list of great unseen TV characters.
7Opie Taylor
Played by Ron Howard
It’s impossible to talk about the best characters inThe Andy Griffith Showwithout mentioning little Opie Taylor, the mischievous all-American son of Mayberry Sheriff Andy Taylor. As the breakout role for the former child actor and future filmmaker Ron Howard, Opie’s natural innocence, honesty, and occasional stubbornness made him one of the most memorable kids in TV history.
Withthe father-son relationship between Andy and Opie acting as the emotional core ofThe Andy Griffith Show, this dynamic was essential to the show’s legacy as an all-time classic. From his heartfelt bedtime talks with his father to the many lessons he learned throughout the show, Opie captured the innocence of youth in a way that aligned well with the show’s nostalgic and thoughtful values. A key moment that summed up Opie’s character was when he killed a bird with a slingshot and took responsibility for his actions by raising her baby birds himself.
6Ernest T. Bass
Played by Howard Morris
The loud, wild, and rowdy hillbilly Ernest T. Bass was immediately recognizable for his scruffy, unkempt appearance, maniacal laugh, and troublesome behavior. As a rude and belligerent pain for Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife, it was impossible for viewers not to get a kick out of his wicked ways when watchingThe Andy Griffith Show. Howard Morris perfectly embodied Ernest’s outrageous nature with his signature greeting: “Howdy-do to you and you. It’s me, it’s me, it’s Ernest T.!”
From vandalizing property to acting improperly with women,Ernest often acted out to impress others, such as through his boasting about his gold tooth. Barney summed up Ernest’s character as he repeatedly said of him, “He’s a nut.” Despite all these faults, there was still something endearing about Ernest, and it was enjoyable to watch Andy occasionally take him under his wing and attempt to teach him the ways of the world. One hilarious episode saw Andy try to turn Ernest into a gentleman in a ridiculous parody ofMy Fair Lady.
5Aunt Bee
Played by Frances Bavier
While it’s true that Aunt Bee literally was Sheriff Andy Taylor’s actual aunt, it shows how beloved she was in the Mayberry community that practically every other character also refers to her as Aunt Bee. As a lovable but sometimes fussy matriarch,Aunt Bee was a central figure in the Taylor householdwho added a sense of love, warmth, and wisdom to the lives of Andy and Opie.
While Opie initially resisted Aunt Bee’s arrival as their new housekeeper in the pilot episode, she quickly solidified her status as a caring and thoughtful figure in the young boy’s childhood. It was thrilling to watch Aunt Bee’s character develop throughThe Andy Griffith Showas she began to shed her old-fashioned and frumpish attire and slowly became more stylish in an appropriate representation of the increasing empowerment of women through the 1960s.
4Otis Campbell
Played by Hal Smith
Otis Campbell was the town drunk of Mayberry, whose intoxicated, troublemaking antics would often see him checking himself into jail until he sobered up. With a friendly, polite, and good-natured demeanor, despite his difficulties with alcohol, he was still intensely likable. As a lighthearted alternative to the depictions of dangerous or mean-spirited alcoholics, the happy-go-lucky nature of Otis’s character showcased that in the world ofThe Andy Griffith Showthere was even something wholesome about binge drinking.
3Gomer Pyle
Played by Jim Nabors
The naive but gentle auto mechanic Gomer Pyle was one ofThe Andy Griffith Show’sgreatest breakout characters who, despite only being introduced in season 3, was an essential addition to the show. As a lovable and deeply moral man,Gomer was the only employee at Wally’s Filling Stationand was an enjoyable source of comic relief as he marveled at the smallest things and uttered catchphrases like “shazam!”, “golly”, and “sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!”
Gomer was occasionally deputized by Deputy Barney Fife when Sheriff Taylor wasn’t around, and although he always did his best, his ineptitude meant he was more of a hindrance than a help. Gomer’s popularity meant that his character even led his own spin-off series,Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. The show was another major hit, and Jim Nabors continued playing his role as the main character for five seasons and 150 episodes.
2Andy Taylor
Played by Andy Griffith
It wouldn’t beThe Andy Griffith Showwithout Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, chief law enforcement officer of Mayberry, North Carolina. As the heart and soul of the series, Andy’s interactions with his son Opie and the entire Mayberry community were what made this one of the most enduring and endearing sitcoms ever made. While Andy was often the straight man to all the quirky characters he was surrounded by, his calm, intelligent, and thoughtful nature added balance to the series.
Andy Taylor was the embodiment of a beloved father figure, and the way he combined his work life and community spirit to become an essential pillar of Mayberry was admirable. Through the lessons he taught his young son to the way he dealt with troublesome characters like Ernest T. Bass or the town drunk Otis Campbell, Andy gave everyone he met a fair shot and always made kindness the focus of every situation.
1Barney Fife
Played by Don Knotts
The bumbling Deputy Barney Fife was Sheriff Andy Taylor’s right-hand man and the driving comedic force ofThe Andy Griffith Show. With a legendary performance from Don Knotts, Barney contributed to many of the show’s funniest moments as his boastful nature and deep-seated insecurity stood in stark contrast to the unassuming nature of Sheriff Taylor. By presenting himself as an expert on everything, including firearms, martial arts, women, singing, wilderness survival, psychology, and American history, it was hilarious thatBarney could rarely back up his so-called qualifications.
With a mix of physical comedy, nervous energy, and rapid-fire delivery, Knotts made Barney one of television’s greatest characters and a central reason for the massive success ofThe Andy Griffith Show. With five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Knotts rightfully received widespread praise for his performance.The Andy Griffith Showwas full of fantastic characters, and Barney was the crown jewel in its astounding ensemble.
