Fans of The Andy Griffith Show have been in mourning following the death of Betty Lynn. Lynn played Thelma Lou, who was the girlfriend of Barney Fife (portrayed by Don Knotts).
The Andy Griffith Museum shared the news of Lynn’s passing in a statement on its Facebook page. She passed away on Saturday (October 16) at the age of 95.
According to the museum, Lynn “died peacefully” following “a brief illness.“
Lynn appeared in 26 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. The Andy Griffith Museum said, “Of ‘Griffith’ actors still living at the time of Betty’s death, only Ron Howard appeared in more episodes of the series than Betty.”
Ron Howard played Andy’s young son Opie Taylor in the series. After learning about Lynn’s death, Howard took to social media to pay tribute to his former co-star.
“RIP Betty Lynn. She played Thelma Lou on #TAGS & brightened every scene she was in & every shooting day she was on set,” Howard said.
Howard went on to describe the last time he saw Lynn, which was a few years ago. Even in her 90s, Howard said Lynn “still lit up the room with her positivity.“
RIP Betty Lynn. She played Thelma Lou on #TAGS & brightened every scene she was in & every shooting day she was on set. I saw her last a few years ago where she still lit up the room with her positivity. It was great to have known and worked with her. She truly was 95yrs young. https://t.co/2KMMQRz4PP
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) October 17, 2021
“It was great to have known and worked with her,” Howard wrote at the end of his statement. “She truly was 95yrs young.”
Lynn was truly one in a million. She will be dearly missed.