Beatrice "Bea" Arthur

Birth:	May 13, 1922 New York New York County New York, USA
Death:	Apr. 25, 2009 Los Angeles Los Angeles County California, USA
Actress. In a stage and television career that covered more than 60 years, she earned both Tony and Emmy Awards. Born Bernice Frankel (she took her stage name from a brief marriage), she was raised in New York City, moved with her family to Maryland at 11, and received a degree in medical technology from Blackstone College in Virginia. Returning to New York, she enrolled in a drama course at the New School, and began her show business career at the Cherry Lane Theatre, off-Broadway. Arthur broke into television with the "Kraft Television Theatre", which ran from 1951 to 1958, and the early "Studio One" (1951 to 1953), and had numerous appearances on the small screen during the 1950s. In 1954 she took part in an English version of Kurt Weill's "Three Penny Opera"; appearing on Broadway in a number of productions, she was Yente the Matchmaker in the original cast of the 1964 "Fiddler on the Roof", and won a 1966 Tony Award for her portrayal of Vera Charles, Angela Lansbury's friend in "Mame". (She was to reprise the role for the silver screen with Lucille Ball in 1974). After appearing in a few episodes of "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's liberal cousin "Maude", she was to star in her own spin-off series of that name from 1972 until 1978, winning an Emmy in 1977. A second Emmy was to follow in 1988 for for her role of Dorothy Zbornak in "Golden Girls", which ran from 1985 through 1992. Besides "Mame", her movie credits include Mel Brooks' 1981 "History of the World: Part I". Arthur was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2008. Cause of death: Cancer

Hope Summers

Birth:	Jun. 7, 1896 Mattoon Coles County Illinois, USA
Death:	Jun. 22, 1979 Woodland Hills Los Angeles County California, USA
Motion picture and television actress. She is most remembered for her work on "The Andy Griffith Show." Her character went through a variety of names, such as 'Bertha Edwards' and 'Clara Johnson' before the producers finally settled on 'Clara Edwards.' In addition to TV appearaces, she appeared in movies such as "Edge Of Eternity," "Inherit The Wind," "Parrish," "Spencer's Mountain," "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken," and "Rosemary's Baby." Her television appearances included "The Rifleman," "Gunsmoke," "Maverick," "The Untouchables," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Bewitched," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Banacek," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Dennis The Menace," "Gomer Pyle," "Little House On The Prairie," "Petticoat Junction," "That Girl," and "Welcome Back Kotter." Her last film role was in the 1978 movie "Foul Play" with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn.

Harold "Hal" Smith

Birth:	Aug. 24, 1916 Petoskey Emmet County Michigan
Death:	Jan. 28, 1994 Santa Monica Los Angeles County California
American screen, television, and voice actor of the 1940s through the 1990s. Widely recognized for his portrayal of 'Otis Campbell' on "The Andy Griffith Show" of the 1960s.

Cause of death: Heart attack

Jack Dodson

Birth:	May 16, 1931 Pittsburgh Allegheny County Pennsylvania, USA
Death:	Sep. 16, 1994 Los Angeles Los Angeles County California, USA
Motion picture and television actor. Well-known as 'Howard Sprague,' the "momma's boy" county clerk of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show." He later reprised the role on "Mayberry R.F.D." His credits include 6 films, 9 television roles, and 14 television guest appearances.  Cause of death: Heart failure.

Aneta Corsaut

Birth:	Nov. 3, 1933
Death:	Nov. 6, 1995
Actress. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Corseaut made her feature film debut appearing opposite Steve McQueen in the cult favorite ‘The Blob’ in 1958. In 1964 she landed the recurring role of Helen Crump in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’. It is the role for which she is probably best remembered. Other television apperences included that of Nurse Bradley on ‘House Calls’ during the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as guest roles in dozens of television shows including ‘Emergency’, ‘Gunsmoke’, ‘Hart to Hart’ and ‘Matlock’ with her old co-star Griffith, the last time in 1991. She died four years later in Studio City, California, after a battle with cancer.

Howard McNear

Birth:	Jan. 27, 1905 Los Angeles California
Death:	Jan. 3, 1969
American stage, motion picture, and television actor of the 1950s and 60s. Fondly remembered for his portrayal of 'Floyd the Barber' on the classic 1960s TV series "The Andy Griffith Show." He played 'Andy the Barber' on "Leave it to Beaver." Cause of death: Complications of stroke

Don Knotts

Birth:	Jul. 21, 1924
Death:	Feb. 24, 2006
Actor, Comedian. Born Jesse Donald Knotts in Morgantown, West Virginia, he is best known for his roles as 'Deputy Barney Fife' in the 1960s television series the "Andy Griffith Show," and as landlord 'Ralph Furley' from the late 1970s television situation comedy series "Three's Company." He began his career as a ventriloquist and comedian in his local hometown of Morgantown. Following an unsuccessful career launch in New York, he returned home to attend West Virginia University. He entered the United States Army following his freshman year and served in the Pacific Theater entertaining troops in a variety show called "Stars and Gripes." Following the war he returned to college, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. After completing college he moved to New York City where he became a regular on several radio and television programs, including the "Steve Allen Show." In 1955 he made his theatrical debut on Broadway, appearing in the comedy "No Time for Sergeants" along with Andy Griffith. In 1959 he moved to Hollywood where he joined Griffith on the "Andy Griffith Show." He appeared on the series from 1960 to 1965 as a regular cast member, earning five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performance as a Supporting Actor. In 1965 he left the show to follow a film career. Over the next two years he returned periodically to the "Andy Griffith Show" in numerous guest appearance roles. Following a successful career in low-budget films which lasted late into the 1970s, he returned to television as the leisure-suit clad landlord in "Three's Company." He appeared on the series from 1979 to 1984. His notable TV and film credits include "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" (1963), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964), "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (1966), "The Reluctant Astronaut" (1967), "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968), "The Love God" (1969), "The Don Knotts Show" (1970), "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (1975), "Gus" (1976), "Return to Mayberry" (1986), "Matlock" (1986), "Pleasantville" (1998) and numerous voice over characterizations on animated films. Cause of death: Complications of lung cancer