| Betty Lynn | |
|---|---|
Betty Lynn and Ian Oliver Martin in 2011 |
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| Born | Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn August 29, 1926 Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Other names | Betty Ann Lynn |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1940-present |
| Spouse | never married |
Betty Lynn (born August 29, 1926) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Thelma Lou (Barney Fife's girlfriend) in The Andy Griffith Show.
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Born Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn in Kansas City, Missouri,[1] Lynn 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 fictititous 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 makes monthly appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy to sign autographs and meet with her fans.
In 2007, Lynn was inducted of the Missouri Walk of Fame, located in Marshfield, Missouri.[4]
| Film | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | ||
| 1948 | Apartment for Peggy | Wife | Credited as Betty Ann Lynn | ||
| 1949 | Father was a Fullback | Constance "Connie" Cooper | |||
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas | Young Bride | Alternative title: Viva Las Vegas! | ||
| Television | |||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||
| 1958 | M Squad | Susan Baines | 1 episode | ||
| Lawman | Edna Phillips | 1 episode | |||
| Wagon Train | Molly Richardson | 1 episode | |||
| Bronco | Molly Bailey | 1 episode | |||
| 1959 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Mary Francis | 1 episode | ||
| Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | Mona | 1 episode | |||
| 1960 | National Velvet | Barbara Howard | 1 episode | ||
| 1963 | The Farmer's Daughter | Sylvia | 2 episodes | ||
| 1965 | The Smothers Brothers Show | Vera | 1 episode | ||
| 1967–1970 | My Three Sons | Lois Bradley | 1 episode | Janice or Janet/Dawson | 6 episodes |
| 1965 | The Smothers Brothers Show | Vera | 1 episode | ||
| 1966–1968 | Family Affair | Miss Lee | 4 episodes | ||
| 1969 | The Mod Squad | Mrs. Hill | 1 episode | ||
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie | Bridget | 1 episode | ||
| 1978 | Barnaby Jones | Mrs. Russell | 1 episode | ||
| 1986 | Matlock | Sarah | 5 episodes | ||