Howard McNear

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Howard McNear

Born Howard Terbell McNear
January 27, 1905(1905-01-27)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Died January 3, 1969 (aged 63)
San Fernando Valley, California, United States

Howard T. McNear (January 27, 1905 – January 3, 1969) was an American film, television and radio character actor. McNear is best remembered as Floyd Lawson, the barber in The Andy Griffith Show.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Career

McNear was born in Los Angeles, California to Luzetta M. Spencer and Franklin E. McNear.[1]

McNear worked in radio from the late 1930s, distinguishing himself in the 1938-1940 radio serial Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police as ace operator Clint Barlow.[2] McNear could be effective in such authoritative roles, but he gravitated more toward character roles, often comic. He created the role of Doc Charles Adams in CBS Radio's Gunsmoke (1952-1961)[3]. McNear was under contract to CBS for many years and was featured in many of the network's radio and TV programs. From 1955 to 1960 he appeared frequently, in various quirky roles, in the popular radio detective series Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.[4] In the TV sitcom Leave It to Beaver, McNear made an appearance as a barber named Andy, a role which proved prophetic.[5]

McNear was best known for his performances as the vague, chatty barber Floyd Lawson on The Andy Griffith Show. During production McNear suffered a stroke that rendered him unable to walk. He continued in the role (after being off the show for almost a year and a half), however, with the production crew accommodating his disability. In early episodes, he is seen standing and working in his barber shop. After the stroke, he is usually seen seated (in his barber chair or a park bench, etc.). The stagehands constructed a stand for him, which allowed him to stand and appear to be working, usually to comb hair (one-handed, of course).[6] His last appearance on the show was in 1967.

[edit] Death

McNear died in the San Fernando Valley from the effects of a stroke. After his passing in 1969, Howard McNear was interred in the Los Angeles National Cemetery, a former U.S. Veterans Administration cemetery in Los Angeles.[7]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Television

[edit] Voice

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Ancestry.com community; Howard T. McNear
  2. ^ Radio Broadcast Log Of: Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police
  3. ^ Gunsmoke Radio series information
  4. ^ Golden Age of Radio
  5. ^ Leave it to Beaver episode info, "The Shave"
  6. ^ Howard McNear biography
  7. ^ Find a Grave, Howard McNear

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME McNear, Howard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES McNear, Howard Terbell
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actor
DATE OF BIRTH 1905-1-27
PLACE OF BIRTH Los Angeles, California
DATE OF DEATH 1969-1-3
PLACE OF DEATH San Fernando Valley, California