George Lindsey from "The Andy Griffith Show" passes away

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- George Lindsey, who spent nearly 30 years as the grinning Goober on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Hee Haw," has died. He was 83.

A press release from Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home in Nashville said Lindsay died early Sunday morning after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements were still being made.

Lindsey was the beanie-wearing Goober on "The Andy Griffith Show" from 1964 to 1968 and its successor, "Mayberry RFD," from 1968 to 1971. He played the same jovial character -- a service station attendant -- on "Hee Haw" from 1971 until it went out of production in 1993.

Lindsey told The Associated Press in 1985 that "America has grown up with me. Goober is every man; everyone finds something to like about ol' Goober."