Floyd the barber made his first appearance on The Andy Griffith Show in episode number 12, "A Stranger in Town", where he was played by Walter Baldwin. Baldwin played Floyd in just the one episode and from 1961 on Howard McNear played the gentle barber, that always had trouble getting Barney's sideburns even.
In McNear's first appearance as Floyd, his last name was Colby, but after that it was always Floyd Lawson. Floyd's family life is a bit confusing to say the least, but let's start with the things that we know for sure. Floyd was Warren Fergussen's (the man that replaced Barney Fife as deputy after Don Knotts left the show) Uncle, he also had a sax playing son named Norman in one episode called "Those Gossipin' Men".
His wife although rarely mentioned, was given the name "Melba" for one episode, that was entitled "Quiet Sam" from season one. Later in an episode called "Floyd the Gay Deceiver" he joined a lonely hearts club, which implies that his wife had died somewhere between the episodes of Quiet Sam and this one.
Out of all the characters that were portrayed on this show (and yes I include Barney Fife) I honestly say that Floyd the Barber was my favorite.
Did you know that before The Andy Griffith Show first aired that Andy used that name to promote his stand up comedy act? There's also something that might interest you, that one act that went on tour with Andy was a young up and coming star by the name of Elvis Presley! Check out the pictures that I have provided for you to enjoy of that tour.
(Happy Birthday Elvis!)
James Best, long before his most memorable role as Roscoe P. Coltrane on the Dukes of Hazzard, was a two time visitor to The Andy Griffith Show. Best played Jim Lindsey, a street guitar player that made it big with "Bobby Fleet and His Band With A Beat", thanks to the help of Andy Taylor.
Now I think James Best is a terrific actor, but this man couldn't fake his way through one note of a song without it being obvious that he couldn't play a note. I really enjoyed both episodes that he was on, but the guitar fakery is almost too much to watch. Even if the man could play he wouldn't be able to get the sound of two or three instruments out of one guitar, guess you could compare it to Briscoe Darlin's jug playing (another Dukes of Hazzard alumni..Uncle Jesse in case you have been living under a rock or are to young to know).
Like Andy said to Briscoe, I don't think there is a set of lips with that much versatility.
For those of you that LOVE The Andy Griffith Show, well, you know who Mr Schwamp is. Mr Schwamp was a portly gentleman that could always be seen in the background of episodes of the show.
His first appearance on the show was in the 1964 episode "My Fair, Earnest T. Bass" and then 26 more episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, a few on Gomer Pyle USMC, and Mayberry RFD.
When asked who portrayed Mr Schwamp, all of the actors (including Andy Griffith) do not remember his name, although they do remember the character.
