<Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1960--1994 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Mary Dodson (1959--1994; his death) </Td> </Tr> <P> John S. "Jack" Dodson (May 16, 1931--September 16, 1994) was an American television actor best remembered for the milquetoast character Howard Sprague on The Andy Griffith Show and its spin - off Mayberry R.F.D. From 1959 until his death in 1994, Dodson was married to television art director Mary Dodson . </P> <P> In 1966, Andy Griffith hired Dodson for the Howard Sprague role, having previously seen him in Broadway's Hughie . Dodson also portrayed insurance agent Ed Jenkins in the "Lost and Found" episode of The Andy Griffith Show . Dodson also appeared in episodes of My Friend Flicka, Hazel, The Virginian, Maude, Barney Miller, Welcome Back Kotter, Archie Bunker's Place, Newhart, Mr. Belvedere, Matlock, Mama's Family, and St. Elsewhere, on which he had a recurring role . </P>

Who played howard on the andy griffith show