Ernest T Bass fun facts from The Andy Griffith Show

Howard Jerome Morris was born on September 4, 1919, and passed away on May 21, 2005. He was an American actor, director, and comedian, who had roles on THE TWILIGHT ZONE and THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR. He lent his voice to characters on the animated series THE JETSONS, THE FLINTSTONES. THE ARCHIES, GARFIELD AND FRIENDS, THE ATOM ANT SHOW, and many more. Morris is best known, however for his role as Ernest T Bass in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.

Thanks to MeTV, TV Land, and streaming services fans can continue to enjoy the antics of Ernest T as he interacts with the Mayberry gang. Mr, Bass was a larger-than-life character but he actually only appeared in 5 episodes of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. These are etched into the memories of those who love this guy whom Barney Fife referred to as a nut,

Ernest T Bass was a mountain man who would greet the citizens of Mayberry with "Howdy do to you and you. It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T.!" He was mischievous and caused a lot of grief for Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife. Ernest T. has been described as a wild, belligerent hillbilly with a scruffy, unkempt appearance, a maniacal laugh, His method of often speaks in rhyme thrilled the viewing audience but caused Andy and Barney much aggravation.

The character's signature move is to throw rocks through windows then run away laughing. Whenever Andy or Barney call him out on his antics Ernest T announces: "You ain't seen the las' of Ernest T. Bass!" This lovable character first appeared in episode #94, "Mountain Wedding", Ernest T. was determined to marry Briscoe Darling's daughter Charlene, who was already married to Dud Wash.

Mr. Bass says the wedding was not legal because there was no preacher and believes he still has a chance to win Charlene for himself. The Darling family decides to conduct a faked wedding between Dud and Charlene, and when Ernest T steals the bride, he discovers that it was Barney Fife in disguise. In episode 98 Ernest T Bass joins the army the lovable character believes a uniform will cause women to be attracted to him. He does not pass the test to get into the armed forces but Andy finds a solution. He gives the ruffian Barney's deputy uniform and Ernest T heads for the hills a happy man.

In Episode #133, "The Education of Ernest T. Bass", He believes that she will respect him more if he gets an education because he is unable to read or write. Eagle eyed viewers point out a discrepancy because Ernest T often rights notes and attaches them to the rocks he throws. ErneAfter she smacks him with a ruler for being disruptive, Ernest T. sits in on Helen Crump's elementary school class and earns a diploma although he really did not learn anything. Andy encouraged Helen to have a ceremony and present the diploma to Ernest T just to get rid of him because he was annoying.

In episode 112 My Fair Ernest T Bass the lovable Ernest T tries to impress a young woman named Ramona whom he calls "Romena". Andy dresses him up in a suit and he attempts to use good manners but it is to no avail, Finally Bass decides to just be himself and Ramona prefers him that way. The final appearance of the trickster was in Episode #162, "Malcolm at the Crossroads." This is when Bass is fired as a crossing guard in favor of Malcolm Merriweather. In 1986 Howard Morris joined Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and other cast members in the television movie RETURN TO MAYBERRY.