George Smith Lindsey ( December 17 , 1928 - May 6 , 2012 ) was an American character actor , best known for his role as Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show , Mayberry R.F.D. and his subsequent tenure on Hee-Haw .
He is best known as `` Goober Pyle '' on The Andy Griffith Show , Mayberry R.F.D. .