<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Actress </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1948 - 2006 </Td> </Tr> <P> Elizabeth Ann Theresa "Betty" Lynn (born August 29, 1926) is a former American actress . She is best known for her role as Thelma Lou, Deputy Barney Fife's girlfriend, on The Andy Griffith Show . </P> <P> Betty Lynn was born in Kansas City, Missouri, Her mother, Elizabeth Ann Lynn, was "an accomplished mezzo - soprano" who taught Betty to sing and started her in the Kansas City Conservatory of Music when she was 5 years old . </P>

Who played thelma lou in the andy griffith show