Howard McNear
(1905 - 1969)Howard McNear is one of the most memorable of all character actors. Born in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 1905, he was known for his unusual stuttering speech patterns...interrupted and then drawn out which worked well with his quirky, flustery persona. His meticulously groomed mustache and spectacles were also his trademarks. He started his career in radio and played the role of Doc Adams on Gunsmoke in that medium. He appeared in many films including: "Escape from Fort Bravo" (1953) uncredited, as Watson; "Drums Across the River" (1954) as Stillwell, his film acting debut; "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) as Joe Hittaway; "You Can't Run Away from It" (1956) as Vernon; "Bundle of Joy" (1956) as Mr. Appleby; "Affair in Reno" (1957) as James T. James; "Public Pigeon No. One" (1957) as Warden; "The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown" (1957) uncredited, as John Myers; "Bell, Book and Candle" (1958) as Andy White; "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) as Dr. Dompierre; "Good Day for a Hanging" (1959) as Olson; "The Big Circus" (1959) as Mr. Lomax; "It Started with a Kiss" (1959) uncredited, as Emile; "Heller in Pink Tights" (1960) as Photographer; "The Last Time I Saw Archie" (1961) as Gen. Williams; "The Errand Boy" (1961) with Jerry Lewis, as Dexter Sneak; "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1961) as Congressman Parker; "Blue Hawaii" (1961) as Mr. Chapman; "Bachelor Flat" (1962) Dr. Dylan Bowmnan; "Follow That Dream" (1962) as George; "Irma la Douce" (1963) as Concierge; "The Wheeler Dealers" (1963) as Mr. Wilson; "Fun in Acapulco" (1963) uncredited, as Dr. John Stevers; "Kiss Me Stupid" (1964) as Mr. Pettibone; "My Blood Runs Cold" (1965) as Henry; "Love and Kisses" (1965) as Mr. Frisby and his last film "The Fortune Cookie" (1966) as Mr. Cimoli. He will always be remembered for his role as TV's most popular barber, Floyd Lawson on "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960-68). He was also a regular on "The Brothers" (1956-57) as Sam Box and did some voices on "The Jetsons" (1962-63) animated series. Proof that he was a real "trouper" came when he was stricken by a stroke and after convalescing for a time returned to work on "The Andy Griffith Show" even though he was paralyzed...mostly in sit-down scenes. A dream of mine was to match him up, in a TV series or film, with Marion Lorne...what a match that would be! He died on January 3, 1969 in Hollywood, California.
From Great Character Actors, Page 1.
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