Now I have officially heard it all.

On various radio outlets, I’ve heard allegations that Floyd from Mayberry is alleged to have committed various acts of spousal abuse. Absolutely ridiculous allegations.

First of all, the actor who played Floyd Lawson the barber on The Andy Griffith Show, Howard McNear, died in 1969. Further, at the time of his death he was survived by his wife of 43 years, Helen McNear, and their marriage was never associated with any type of controversy. On the contrary, beginning with Mr. McNear’s enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and his subsequent long radio, television [his credits also include Gunsmoke], and movie [Blue Hawaii] career, he always carried himself with a soft-spoken integrity which was seen as a testament to a life well led.

Howard McNear, RIP.