The Challenging Life of Howard McNear (Floyd on 'Andy Griffith'): 55 Years After His Tragic Death

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He was an actor who played his most famous role with lovable hesitation, literally, on screen, and that became his trademark. His name was Howard McNear, who became best known for portraying Floyd Lawson, the befuddled but delightful barber on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968). Sadly, only one year after the series ended, McNear died tragically from a stroke, at only 63 years old. This is his story.

A Closer Look

Born in Los Angeles, CA on January 27, 1905, Howard McNear (middle name "Terbell") eventually became interested in acting. He attended the Oatman School of Theater and joined a theater group in San Diego.

McNear then transitioned into radio with dramatic roles such as operator Clint Barlow in the popular radio program Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police. After serving in World War II in the United States Army Air Corps, he portrayed Charles "Doc" Adams on the CBS radio version of Gunsmoke, which aired from 1952 to 1961. Although Milburn Stone would replace him as Doc in the subsequent long-running television adaptation of Gunsmoke McNear would also make small screen guest appearances.

Those include, among others, I Love Lucy, The Jack Benny Program, The Donna Reed Show, Laramie, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, The Twilight Zone, Peter Gunn, Dragnet, Richard Diamond Private Detective, and a stint as Andy the Barber on Leave It to Beaver family sitcom.

McNear also made several movies for the big screen, including Anatomy of a Murder, Bell, Book, and Candle, Kiss Me, Stupid, Heller in Pink Tights, Bachelor Flat, The Errand Boy, The Long, Long Trailer, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Irma la Douce, and Good Day for a Hanging, and more.

He Stood Apart From the Crowd

However, out of all the characters that Howard McNear portrayed, The Andy Griffith Show became his mainstay. After actor Walter Baldwin's performance as the original Floyd Lawson didn't pan out, McNear was hired to replace him.

In the process, a legendary character was born (though as the new cast and made the character his own (while he would also play Andy the Barber on TV's Leave It to Beaver family sitcom).

He Was Adored By His Peers

In a 2003 interview, Andy Griffith and other stars from his famed country sitcom, including Don Knotts (Barney Fife), and Ron Howard (Opie Taylor), shared their fond and flattering thoughts of McNear's unique talent.

“Howard McNear was a genius,” Griffith said.

“He sure was,” Knotts added. “One of the funniest men that ever lived.”

“And he didn’t even seem to try,” Griffith said. “I don’t know where he discovered that character.”

Ron Howard described McNear's line delivery as "That halting, can’t-quite-finish-his-sentence, and then to come out with just that one little word. He would just sit in his own chair, his own barber chair, and everyone would gather around and a wonderful scene would unfold.”

And Then It Happened

Sadly, during his third year on The Andy Griffith Show, Howard McNear suffered a massive stroke that significantly altered the use of his left shoulder, most of his left arm, and his legs. But, with special camera angles and his monumental talent, he valiantly continued appearing on the show until his demise on January 3, 1969.

It's in the sitcom's seventh season finale, "Goober's Contest," that McNear as Floyd delivers his last performance. The actor is observed delivering his dialogue from his parked car but it's clear to the viewer that a double for McNear is being utilized in the sequence when the car is seen pulling away.

In the show's final year, Floyd's barber shop was essentially replaced by a fix-it shop run by Emmett Clark, a repairman played by Paul Hartman (who continued to play that part in Mayberry R.F.D., the 1968-1971 CBS sequel to The Andy Griffith Show).

In the eighth season episode, "Goober the Executive," Griffith's Sheriff Andy Taylor explained the switch on screen: "Floyd decides he's got enough money and wants to retire, Emmett moves right in."

Conclusion

In the history of television, there most likely will never be another so unique a character like Floyd the Barber as played by the beloved actor Howard McNear.