Floyd The Barber

Howard McNear was a character actor born in Los Angeles in 1905. His life and his career was almost entirely spent in Los Angeles. McNear did for a time work in a San Diego theater but he was soon back to his hometown. He worked steadily after World War II on radio, in films and television. McNear was on the radio version of "Gunsmoke" he originated the character of Doc Adams playing it for 9 years. He is most know for the nervous and vague character Floyd the barber on the Andy Griffith Show. He played the character for many years stopping briefly after he had a stroke. He was off the show for almost a year recovering. When he returned to the series he was partially paralyzed and could not stand or walk well. He disability was hidden with camera tricks and props.
Howard McNear also appeared in dozens of movies. He was always cast as a goofy or nervous man often as a barber oddly enough. Some of the films he was in are classics like "Bell Book and Candle","Irma La Douce" and "Kiss Me, Stupid".
It was Floyd that made him a recognized face though. The cast of the Andy Griffith show claimed that he wasn't acting that he was just being himself.
Howard McNear died in 1969 from pneumonia after having another stroke. He was 63.