Don Knotts and Betty Lynn seen here on TV reunion movie "Return To Mayberry" in 1986.
Actress Betty Lynn, who is remembered for her role as Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s (Don Knotts) love interest on CBS sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, died on Sunday. She was 95.
The Andy Griffith Museum, located in Mount Airy, North Carolina, announced the news in a post on Facebook post.
"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we announce the passing of Betty Lynn," read the post. "Thank you to all for your prayers, cards, and love. Betty will be dearly missed by all of us. We love you, Betty."
Born Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn on August 29, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri, Betty Lynn had 12 film roles to her credit prior to The Andy Griffith Show. Included were Apartment for Peggy, Sitting Pretty and June Bride in 1948; Mother Is a Freshman in 1949; the original Cheaper By the Dozen in 1950; Meet Me In Las Vegas in 1956; and Louisiana Hussy and The Hangman in 1959.
Betty Lynn, 1950s. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Film Favorites/Getty Images)
At the same time, Lynn was peppering her resume with guest-starring roles on TV series including anthology series Chevron Theatre and The Revlon Mirror Theater. In 1953, she began a recurring role on two-season ABC sitcom Where’s Raymond? starring Ray Bolger. Other guest appearances on television included The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Cavalcade of America, Matinee Theatre, Oh! Susanna, Wagon Train, Sugarfoot, Mike Hammer, the original Family Affair, The Magical World of Disney and My Three Sons.
In 1986, Lynn appeared on aforementioned TV movie Return To Mayberry and also reunited with Andy Griffith for five episodes of NBC legal drama Matlock. Her final guest role was police drama Shades of LA in 1990.
The Andy Griffith Museum said in its Facebook post that Lynn will have a private burial service in Culver City, California, with a memorial for the star to be announced at a future date.
