Actor Ken Berry, who starred in “F Troop”, “Mayberry R.F.D.”, and “Mama’s Family”, passed away on Saturday, December 1st, 2018, at the age of 85.
Berry starred in “F Troop” from 1965-1967. He played a widowed North Carolina farmer with a small son, replacing Andy Griffith when “The Andy Griffith Show” evolved into “Mayberry R.F.D.” from 1968-1971. Most recently he starred as Vinton Harper in “Mama’s Family” from 1983-1984 and 1986-1990 — a spin-off from “The Carol Burnett Show.”
He also appeared in half a dozen feature films, including the Disney comedy “Herbie Rides Again” in 1974, and “The Cat From Outer Space” in 1978.
Berry served in the Army after high school. His sergeant in Special Services was Leonard Nimoy, the future “Star Trek” star. Nimoy would eventually make some Hollywood contacts for Berry, particularly with agents.
In the mid 1950s, Berry ventured to Las Vegas where he opened for and joined Abbott & Costello in their stage act, performing sketches and song and dance routines at the Sahara Hotel and Casino.
To read more about Ken Berry, here is his Wikipedia page.
Photo: ABC Television
