The Andy Griffith Show: The 3 Ben Weavers and 2 Floyd Lawsons

The Andy Griffith Show remains popular

The Andy Griffith Show remains popular after over 60 years of never being off the air. Some fans may not realize that there were were three men who portrayed department store owner Ben Weaver and two different actors who played the town barber Floyd Lawson.

The Andy Griffith Show ran for 8 years from 1960 to 1968 and has been on the air every single year since. There are probably millions who have enjoyed the antics of the Mayberry clan. Fans have come to know the two men in the cover photo, Will Wright (Ben) and Howard McNear (Floyd), but they were not the only men in the roles.

Will Wright originated Ben Weaver

Will Wright was the first Ben. He appeared in 3 episodes from 1960 to 1962 prior to his death. Wright is the most recognizable Ben because of the Christmas episode The Christmas Story. He was also in the episode " Andy Forecloses, and The Merchant of Mayberry.

Wright was the voice of Friend Owl in Bambi, had roles in several Westerns, and had a short stint as Pete the fireman in Leave It to Beaver. He also appeared on the television programs The Real McCoys, Our Miss Brooks, Father Knows Best, The Rough Riders, Circus Boy, Fury, The Donna Reed Show, The Restless Gun, Lawman, Tales of Wells Fargo, and The Millionaire.

Taliaferro Avery was Ben number 2

Taliaferro "Toi" Avery took on the role after Wright passed away, but was only in one episode as Ben Weaver titled The Shoplifters. He also appeared later on The Andy Griffith Show episode Howard the Comedian as a driver and was a jury foreman in Aunt Bee the Juror.

Avery was a character actor whose face is recognizable in numerous television shows and movies. The actor was noted for his cultured voice and this is why he was cast in roles as villains who were articulate and sophisticated. He appeared in six episodes of the ABC television series Maverick and on the programs Colt 45, Queen of Dixie, and Circle of Fear.

Jason Johnson was Ben number 3

Jason Johnson appeared in five episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, but only two as the department store owner, which were Aunt Bea Takes a Job and Goober's Replacement. He was also a councilman in Mayberry Goes Bankrupt, Mr. Bluett in The Gypsies, and a random man in Aunt Bee's Restaurant. He was also in several episodes of The Twilight Zone.

Walter Baldwin preceded McNear as Floyd

Walter Baldwin portrayed the first Floyd Lawson in episode 12 titled Stranger in Town. The actor was also in the movies Rosemary's Baby and The Best Years of Our Lives.

Howard McNear took over the role in episode 13, Mayberry Goes Hollywood. McNear appeared on the TV series Leave it to Beaver and Peter Gunn. He was also in the movie Anatomy of a Murder.

The actor continued as the barber until he had a severe stroke midway through season 3. He had determined not to return to the role, but Andy Griffith and the producers convinced him.

A special chair was made for the actor because he had limited use of his left arm. He remained in the role through season 7 when his health declined, and he passed away.

Mayberry lives on

This is when Emmett Clark (Paul Hartman) and, later, Howard Sprague (Jack Dodson) were introduced as new characters to fill the void. Emmett's fix-it shop occupied the space where Floyd's barbershop once resided.

You can watch episodes of The Anndy Griffith Show on various streaming services and retro channels so check your local listings.