RIP BETTY LYNN

1926-2021

Betty Lynn was born as Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn in Kansas City, MO. She was best known for her role as Thelma Lou, Deputy Barney Fife’s girlfriend, on “The Andy Griffith Show”.  Although the series was filmed at Desilu Studios, she never appeared on screen with Lucille Ball. However, her co-stars (Andy Griffith, Fred MacMurray, and Don Knotts) often did. 

She came to Hollywood in 1948 after appearing on Broadway and did several films, including June Bride with Bette Davis.  

She started playing Thelma Lu in March 1961. Despite playing the role for five years, she appeared in only 26 episodes. 

“I didn’t want to leave Thelma Lou. I really loved her. I enjoyed her. She was sweet and kind, she was so fun to play, and I loved working with Don Knotts – he was so wonderful." 

In 1986, she reprised the role of Thelma Lou in the reunion television movie Return to Mayberry, in which Thelma Lou and Barney Fife are finally married.

From 1967 to 1971, she was back at Desilu Studios to film seven episodes of “My Three Sons,” in which she played Janet (or Janice) Dawson for six episodes, and Lois Bradley for one episode. Lynn had appeared with star Fred MacMurray in the 1949 film Father Was a Fullback. 

In 2006, Lynn retired from acting and relocated to Mount Airy, North Carolina, the home town of Andy Griffith and the town on which Mayberry is believed to have been based, despite Griffith’s claims to the contrary.

Lynn died on October 16, 2021, after a brief illness, at the age of 95.