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. Melvin was a wealth of information, as he has been friends with Betty Lynn for several years. Betty Lynn, the actress best known for her portrayal of Thelma Lou, Barney Fife's sweetheart on The Andy Griffith Show, died peacefully on Saturday, October 16, after a brief illness. ", She moved to New York in the late 1940s and began acting in film, and later, television. By 14, Betty was singing in local supper clubs, and at 18 she began performing in U.S.O. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. We all knew Thelma Lou could do better, but she did love Deputy Bernard P. Fife. 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. Q: Will the phenomenal show Council of Dads return this fall? However, she was close to not being born. The whole town comes to celebrate, and The Darlings even drop in to play. She signed a movie contract with the company and made her debut on the big screen in 1948 on Sitting Pretty with Clifton Webb, Maureen OHara, and Robert Young. Sara Seegar (July 1, 1914 August 12, 1990) appeared in three episodes of The Andy Griffith Show portraying different characters each time. In her later years, Lynn participated in reunions with fellow cast members and various Mayberry-themed festivals. Here are the search results of the thread Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen? She was 95. Several well-known names like Lori Lethin, Alice Hirson, Linda Purl, and Nancy Stafford appeared in the popular TV series. Oh, it was glorious! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Thelma Lous occupation through 26 episodes remained a mystery, as did her surname. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stanwycks obituary in the New York Times in 1990 said they had been estranged for decades. Dion Anthony Fay died in 2006. Thelma Lou Fife (ne ???) While it seemed designed to draw the This Is Us audience, ratings were reportedly low. "Thel" to her friends, the officer's girlfriend was best friends with Sheriff . In the episode, she plays guitar, sings, and even reveals. It was great to have known and worked with her. Well, she *is* the cats! 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Barney and Thelma Lou went their separate ways when Barney left Mayberry to join the Raleigh police force (coinciding with Don Knottss departure from the series in 1965). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The actor died that year at age 86. Ive looked for it in candy shops, but you cant find it anywhere. When Betty returned home, she started performing on Broadway and caught the attention of several production companies, 20th Century Fox among them. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Absolutely. I couldnt wait to go because I loved doing it so much and everybody on it was wonderful. 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. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER, Director and actor Ron Howard, who played Sheriff Andy Taylors son, Opie, paid tribute to Lynn in a tweet on Sunday stating she "brightened every scene she was in & every shooting day she was on set.". They met in 1960 at Wilton Blair's funeral. Betty picked up the phone, called her church, and let them known the wedding was canceled. All rights reserved. Did Doris Day do all the horse riding in Calamity Jane? Anyway, its all the different things that bring people here. The book is now expected to be released posthumously. Goosebumps! He also tells her "You're the cat's" (as in "cat's meow"). She reprised her role in the made-for-TV movie "Return to Mayberry," in which Thelma Lou and Barney got married. 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. I hope you do get a chance to come back and visit in Mayberry, as some people call itMount Airy, NCand come back and visit with us. I don't believe Barn ever tapped it in that house. Intent on getting back with Thelma Lou, Barney discovers she has been married six weeks to a man named Gerald Whitfield. How do you I stop my TV from turning off at a time dish? More about Her Life, Maddie Brown Shares Her Postpartum Journey Weeks after Giving Birth to Third Child, Jamie Lee Curtis Admits 'Saying Goodbye' to James Corden Was Harder than She Thought as His Show Ends, Betty White Wed 'Wonderful Man' Who Wanted Her to Quit Her Career He Married Another Actress after Their Divorce, Years after Parents Death, Little Girl Discovers Her Adoptive Mom Is Actually Her Birth Parent Story of the Day, Old Man Goes to Visit Daughter for His 80th Birthday, She Doesn't Let Him Enter Her House Story of the Day. Andy Griffith did kiss Helen on the show in the episode "The Rumor." Barney finally marries Thelma Lou. Thelma Lou what?' As for Stephen, you may be thinking of Stephen Bogart, the son of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. Yes, Melvin, I do understand how rare that is. What is it called when the government helps poor people? There, they had their own little lovefest! In addition to the Griffith museum, the town offers recreations of familiar Mayberry haunts like Floyds barber shop. She was one of the pioneers of method acting in America. (Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for October 18, Jussie Smollett files appeal argument in hate crime hoax conviction, Michael B. Jordan apologized to his mom before steamy Calvin Klein underwear ad was released, Kristin Cavallari jokes shes 'heartless' for breaking up with guys over text: 'I know thats horrible', Gisele Bndchen shares tips for when 'life gets challenging': 'Remember that the sun rises everyday', Amy Grant says she leaned on her faith after horrific bike accident: Its helped me not be afraid, Bette Midler confesses to plastic surgery: Time smooths 'everything out'. She never got engaged again, although it is not clear if she kept dating. Lynn died Saturday after a short illness in . Thelma Lou's last name and occupation are never revealed, however in one episode she mentions getting back to the office. A: From what I can find, the acclaimed actress Stanwyck had only an adopted son, Dion Anthony Fay, from her marriage to actor Frank Fay. A Warner Bros. After appearing again in pictures starring Clifton Webb and Bette Davis (Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and Payment on Demand (1951), respectively), her blossoming film career lost major ground. An elderly woman who hacks out a rough existence on a remote island is forced to help her dimwitted neighbor rescue her daughter whose ex has kidnapped her and escaped into the woods. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Ms. Lynn adopted Andy Griffiths hometown of Mount Airy, NC as her own almost a decade ago. After two decades of on-again, off-again romance, they finally married in the reunion TV movie Return to Mayberry in 1986, the characters final appearance together on screen. Knotts departed as a series regular, Barney returned for a high school reunion to learn that Thelma Lou had gotten married. Among regular cast members of The Andy Griffith Show, only the director Ron Howard, who played Opie, Sheriff Taylors son, is still alive. Betty Lynn, the film and television actress best known for playing Barney Fifes sweetheart Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. While she had led a successful decadeslong career as an actress, fans remember her best for her role in "The Andy Griffith Show. In the sixth-season episode, "The Return of Barney Fife", Barney returns to Mayberry for a high-school reunion. Ive talked to a lot of people that its their first time. In that case, the role of Thelma Lou made Betty Lynn an incredibly wealthy woman. Contents1 Aneta Corsaut Age, Early Life, Education Background2 Aneta's Professional Career and Rise to Stardom3 Aneta Corsaut Personal Life, Husband, and Children4 Aneta 2. Betty Lynn portrayed deputy Barney Fife's girlfriend Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show from 1961 to 1966. episode of the same name. Saying that when you marry you have that deep down special feeling. Posted on 2011/08/19 by parablesofmayberry. For Betty, the rumors of an affair between her and Don were, on the one hand, disrespectful because he was a married man, but on the other hand flattering, as she explained: I finally told Don we have to look at this a different way. Betty Lynn, the film and television actress who played Barney Fife's sweetheart, Thelma Lou, on "The Andy Griffith Show," passed away in 2021 at age 95 after a brief illness. (Viewers did see Juanita Pike, one of Mayor Pikes daughters. The character appeared in 26 episodes, starting with the first-season episode, "Cyrano Andy". Im so welcomed here. The 20 Top Answers, What Will Be The Impact Of Nanotechnology On The Developing Countries? The actress famous for portraying Thelma Lou on the "Andy Griffith Show" passed away. He sounded good on the phone. Q: I believe Barbara Stanwyck had a son, Stephen. In the same year, Andy Griffith hired her to play his secretary in a handful of episodes for his Matlock (1986) series. [laughs] And I said, 'No. Thelma Lou appeared as a semiregular character in The Andy Griffith Show from 1961 until 1966, when the character was dropped from the show following the departure of Don Knotts and his Barney Fife character. All Answers, What Will Be The Hot Items For Christmas 2020? Discovery Company. It does not store any personal data. Did Thelma Lou have a job? According to Betty, her birth father was an erratic and violent man. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Betty Lynn, 95, the TV, radio and movie star who performed for American soldiers in war zones in Southeast . Thelma Lous last name and occupation are never revealed; However, in one episode, she mentions getting back to the office. She is Mayberry Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife's love interest. She appeared in films like Sitting Pretty and June Bride in 1948 and Cheaper by the Dozen in 1950. There were times when Thelma Lou would successfully make Barney jealous - by using Andy Taylor and Gomer Pyle. Lynn grew up . Her name is as light, breezy and innocent as the characters she played on film and TV. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. She earned $500 per episode, and she left when Don Knotts decided to pursue a career in film. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Anyway, its all the different things that bring people here. An interesting fact is that Betty Lynn was never under contract for The Andy Griffith Show. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Betty Lynn and the cast of "The Andy Griffith Show"on stage at the 2nd Annual TV Land Awards held on March 7, 2004 | Photo: GettyImages. 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. I took a cue from Melvin and did my level best to listen more than I talked, while in the presence of Betty Lynn. She became part of the small-town ensemble for five seasons -- until Knotts officially left the series to try out, full-time, in motion pictures. Although she was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and spent most of her career in southern California, in 2006 Lynn moved to Mt. Barney and Thelma Lou went their separate ways when Barney left Mayberry to join the Raleigh police force (coinciding with Don Knotts's departure from the series in 1965). Did she ever make it on to the screen, or just appear off camera by phone? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The woman did not have time to learn the joys of motherhood and married life, but she was a . She was 95. The stability of Barney and Thelma Lou's relationship is questionable. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ive combined the questions and answers below. He had another love interest, a woman named Marilyn. Betty Lynn, best known for playing Barney Fifes girlfriend Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show, died Saturday, the Andy Griffith Museum stated. Little is known about Thelma Lou. Lynn last talked to Griffith on June 1, 2012, when she called him on his birthday. You have just come across an article on the topic Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen?. She was 95 years old. Aside from her romance with Barney, she was given very little character development during the series' run. The museum shared that Lynn had been working on an autobiography before her death. Pay no attention to the line of people waiting to meet me., Christi, Betty Lynn, and Landon; Photo credit: Thomas Gillingham. When much of the cast reunited in 1986 for a two-hour television movie, Return to Mayberry, Thelma Lou had gotten divorced. Betty's character was introduced during the first season of the series in an episode entitled ""Cyrano Andy" (Season 1, Episode . - The True Story behind the New Series Candy Starring Jessica Biel, Candy on Hulu - What to Know about the New Limited Series Starring Jessica Biel, Woman Finds Hidden Door in Her Home, Discovers a Secret Room Full of Long-Lost Letters behind It. Despite their ups and downs, Thelma Lou stated that Barney was the man she wanted to marry and be the father of her children, and Barney once told Thelma Lou, "You're the only one I ever gave a hoot for." 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. Thelma Lou, or Thel by boyfriend Barney Fife, is a character on the American television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968). Her two cousins are Mary Grace Gossage and Karen Moore. A recent question and answer about the old Andy Griffith Show apparently prompted a slew of other questions about the comedy. She is pleasantly remembered for playing TV's sweet-as-apple-pie "Thelma Lou," who had the tough end of the bargain as the ever-patient girlfriend of Don Knotts 's neurotic "Barney . Betty was on the show from 1960 to 1966. See some more details on the topic Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen? I had goosebumps as I read this!! Airy, North Carolina, on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. But Mr. Knotts was gone, having moved on to a film career. Ms. Lynn adopted Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, NC as her own almost a decade ago. Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Betty Lynn as Thelma Lou. That would be nice! . Burt Mustin (Jud Fletcher, Jubal) 1977. She loves her fans with every fiber of her adorable being. Paul Hartman (Emmett Clark) 1973. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. She is played by the late Betty Lynn. Although the producers gave Betty the chance to keep playing Thelma Lou as the owner of a hair salon on Mayberry, the actress refused. Andy and Helen married on the first episode of Mayberry RFD. 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 Griffith's show . After Thelma Lou, Betty Lynn had a problem. Who Is Julian Sands' Wife? Legal Statement. She immediately knew I was referring to the episode entitled, Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfftt. Biography. The beloved actresssaid, I enjoyed every minute of it. She lives in a small, quaint home within Mayberry city limits - making . What Will Be The Life Expectancy In 2050 In India? What did Thelma Lou on Andy Griffith Show do for a living? FOREVER THELMA LOU. Barney Fife would be considered Thelma Lou's first and last true love. All the characters had a job of sorts. . What about Thelma Lou? People are so good to me, she said. What joy there must have been in Heaven this day as she was also reunited with her husband, the love of her life. (The marriage ended in divorce, as did a later one to actor Robert Taylor.) Knotts departed as a series regular, Barney returned for a high school reunion to learn that Thelma Lou had gotten married. And thank you for coming every year that you can. Juanita Pike is not to be confused with Juanita Beasley, an unseen character from the diner that Barney has dated many times in the series. The show ended almost 50 years ago, and in . Melvin, the best tour guide in Mount Airy, NC. [1] Thelma Lou was portrayed by Betty Lynn. She reprised her role in "Return to Mayberry," the made-for-TV movie where she and Fife (Don Knotts) got married. Airy, North Carolina, the town which served as the inspiration for Griffiths Mayberry. 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. Herein, How much did Don Knotts make per episode on Three's Company? 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. 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. And I love all of you very much.. Lenda was born to Ray and Wanda Rucker on September 11, 1941, in Earth Texas on their family farm. In 2007, after her Los Angeles home was burgled twice, Betty decided to move to Mount Airy, Andy Griffiths birth home and the place that inspired the fictional town of Mayberry on his show. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Information related to the topic Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen? Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. It was there, at the annual Mayberry Days Festival, that I had the pleasure of meeting her. She sings in the choir. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. appreciated. "He brought me to a sweet town, wonderful people, and just said, Now, thats for you, Betty.". Missouri born-and-bred Betty Ann Lynn was born in Kansas City. That would be nice! Mike Mooneyham wrote: "Sad day in Mayberry. She was shocked when he died a . Answer (1 of 2): Thelma Lou - Mayberry woman of mystery! Replies (2) Options Top. She is known for her fantastic performance on The Andy Griffith Show, where she played the role of Deputy Barney Fife's girlfriend, "Thelma Lou.". Personally, Ive always thought Barney Fife was a fool to let his steady girl slip through his hands because, to quote him, Thelma Lou, youre the cats. Thelma Lou was the cats, and so is the actress who played her. (Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images), "I think Gods blessed me," Lynn said at the time. Thelma Lou's last name and occupation are never revealed; However, in one episode, she mentions getting back to the office. She and Barney married in the film. One of Betty Lynns favorite restaurants in Mount Airy is called The Loaded Goat, after The Andy Griffith Show episode of the same name. On Mayberry R.F.D., Andy and Helen return to Mayberry for a visit and bring their newborn baby with them. But as Barney said, "Thelma Lou, you're the only girl I love!". shows. Though it may be hard to believe, Lynn played Thelma Lou on the Griffith Show for just 26 episodes, from 1961 to 1966. The two broke up in one episode when Barney pays a bit too much attention to an attractive newcomer to Mayberry. I think Gods blessed me, she told The Associated Press in 2015. She was 95 years old. The actor died that year at age 86. She still appeared occasionally on the larger screen but, for the most part, was either unbilled or the pictures themselves were obscure. After the war, she had small roles in the Broadway musicals Park Avenue and Oklahoma!. Betty instead focused on 50s TV and also returned to the stage with a production of "The Moon Is Blue" (1954). Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, FBI agents, prosecutors argued over Trump before raid, Golden Valley turns to contractors to fill policing gaps, Two charged in brutal attack of transgender woman at Lake Street light-rail station, A new generation of Indigenous leaders takes inspiration from those at Wounded Knee, 19-year-old sentenced for killing student outside Richfield school, Lyft suspends Nice Ride bike sharing in Minneapolis, Scoggins: Give Whalen one more season to make a big jump, Vikings' O'Connell focused on improving game-day communication, Sore shoulder will keep Miranda out of World Baseball Classic, The big gigs: 10 concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week, Brooks: St. Paul libraries, home of the brave readers, Activists out of control in Minneapolis disputes, Caribou Coffee paring down downtown Minneapolis footprint to just four stores, Anna Netrebko concert canceled by Taiwan orchestra, How the 'Daisy Jones' cast went from beginners to bandmates, Harry, Meghan asked to leave UK home in further royal rift, Jonathan Majors flexes his acting muscle, turns heavyweight, McCarthy, GOP introduce measure to protect 'parents' rights', From Minnesota to HBO series, Indigenous actor bringing 'my people and my stories with me', Review: 'True Lies' reboot owes more to Remington Steele than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Barnard says he got the boot from KQRS for complaining too much, 'SNL' veteran Victoria Jackson shares how religious beliefs got her blacklisted in Hollywood, Mankato native still riding high after winning Oscar for best documentary. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Although she was . By the time she was 17, Betty was singing in local clubs and eventually auditioned for the United Service Organizations entertainment group. One of the last surviving cast members from the classic television comedy The Andy Griffith Show, actor Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou on the series, has died at the age of 95. For once I didnt turn into Lucy Ricardo. Lynn died peacefully Saturday after a brief illness, The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina, announced in a statement. We were so privileged to be on that show. Thelma Lou. Betty LynnThe Andy Griffith Show Thelma Lou/Played by. 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. Lynn appeared as Thelma Lou in the hit . In case youre curious, Ms. Lynn has the softest skin I have ever felt. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Airy, North Carolina, on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. NA. You can read more if you want. Although Barney had an occasional telephone flirtation with Juanita, a diner waitress who was never seen, it . All Answers. The only thing we know about what she did for a living is that she worked in an office in town. When much of the cast reunited in 1986 for a two-hour television movie, Return to Mayberry, Thelma Lou had gotten divorced. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. I've been "Thelma Lou" all this time; I don't want a last name. Copyright 2023 WisdomAnswer | All rights reserved. There are several things about Thelma Lou that are a mystery to this day. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. or redistributed. Thelma Lou lives in the community of Mayberry, North Carolina. Required fields are marked *. Actress Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show, pays her respects at the Andy Griffith statue in Mt. And Im just the happiest old lady you ever met., I believe she is the happiest lady Ive ever met, though, even at the age of 90, she didnt seem old. She reprised her role in the made-for-TV movie "Return to Mayberry," in which Thelma Lou and Barney got married. Andy and Helen return to Mayberry for a visit and bring their new baby. At $500 per episode, she wasnt getting rich, even in the 1960s. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It took a second reunion decades later to finally get those two characters married. Market data provided by Factset. Without Barney, she told The A.P. Mini Bio (1) Missouri born-and-bred Betty Ann Lynn was born in Kansas City. I thought, No, whats Thelma Lou without Barney Fife? I left, too, Betty explained to Cleveland.com, and continued recalling her last day at work: I said goodbye to Don, and Andy and Aunt Bee and everybody, then I went into the ladies room and just collapsed in tears. Market data provided by Factset. As any good imaginary talk show host would do, I took the time to do a little research on my first very real guest. Absolutely. 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. And that doesnt happen every day of the week in show business. Lynn appeared as Thelma Lou on the show from 1961 until 1966. Her two cousins are Mary Grace Gossage and Karen Moore. Betty Lynn recounted that she so strongly objected to her character being married to anyone other than Barney that while performing in the episode, she pretended that Whitfield was actually a co-worker who she paid to pretend to be her husband so that she wouldn't "be left in a lurch" with Barney. 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. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. 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? She was 95. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have been asked to vacate their home in Britain, suggesting a further fraying of ties with the royal family amid preparations for the coronation of his father, King Charles III. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. And I couldnt wait when they put a call in for me. Gail Davis, 71, an early television cowgirl who became best known for her portrayal of the gun-toting, hard-riding, pigtailed rancher Annie Oakley in the series of the same name, died of cancer March 15 at a hospital in Burbank, Calif. Related searches to Who played Thelma Lous cousin Karen? So, he said, 'Okay.' Sarah is the telephone operator in Mayberry. Jackie Cooper and Betty Lynn on "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars," February 25, 1955 | Photo: GettyImages, She also appeared on June Bride with Robert Montgomery and Bette Davis, whom she befriended, and had roles in Mother Is a Freshman, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Payment on Demand., In 1950, Betty bought a home in Los Angeles and took her mom and grandparents to live with her. She did all her own stunts, too, which was quite a feat in what is an enormously athletic role. Melvin insists he has never heard a single person in town say anything negative about her. She is pleasantly remembered for playing TV's sweet-as-apple-pie "Thelma Lou," who had the tough end of the bargain as the ever-patient girlfriend of Don Knotts's neurotic "Barney Fife" character on The Andy Griffith Show (1960).