13 Facts About Howard McNear

Howard Terbell McNear was an American stage, screen, and radio character actor.

Howard McNear studied at the Oatman School of Theater and later joined a stock company in San Diego.

Howard McNear could be effective in such authoritative roles, but he gravitated more toward character roles, often comic.

Howard McNear enlisted as a private in the United States Army Air Corps on November 17,1942, during World War II.

Howard McNear created the role of Doc Charles Adams on CBS Radio's Gunsmoke.

Howard McNear made his film debut in an uncredited role in the 1953 film Escape from Fort Bravo.

In 1961, Howard McNear was cast as the vague, chatty barber Floyd Lawson on The Andy Griffith Show.

Howard McNear left the series for nearly a year and a half to recover.

Howard McNear agreed despite being unable to walk or stand, and the production crew accommodated him accordingly.

In most of his post-stroke scenes, Howard McNear's left hand would be holding a newspaper or resting in his lap, while he moved his right arm and hand as he spoke his lines.

In 1964, Howard McNear took a role on Gunsmoke, playing Dodge City's general store owner in "Aunt Thede".

On January 3,1969, Howard McNear died at San Fernando Valley Veterans Hospital in California at the age of 63 of complications from pneumonia caused by a stroke.

Howard McNear was survived by his wife Helen and his son Christopher.