<Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Helen McNear (1902--1969) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <P> Howard Terbell McNear (January 27, 1905--January 3, 1969) was an American stage, screen, and radio character actor . McNear is best remembered as Floyd Lawson, the barber in The Andy Griffith Show (1960 - 1968). </P> <P> McNear was born in Los Angeles to Luzetta M. Spencer and Franklin E. McNear . He studied at the Oatman School of Theater and later joined a stock company in San Diego . McNear also worked in radio from the late 1930s, distinguishing himself in the 1937--1940 radio serial Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police as ace operator Clint Barlow . McNear could be effective in such authoritative roles, but he gravitated more toward character roles, often comic . </P>

Who played floyd in the andy griffith show