TV NEWS
The Andy Griffith Show: Who Plays Ernest T. Bass & What Other Roles Did He Have?
By MELISSA LEMIEUX
Ernest T. Bass is Howard Morris’ most iconic creation, even if he only appears in "The Andy Griffith Show" five times. His character is memorable and stands out over the rest.
Ernest is such a popular character that he ended up playing a major role in the 1986 reunion movie "Return to Mayberry." Morris even played several other roles on the sitcom.
In Season 5 alone, he was the radio announcer in "The Family Visit," Leonard Blush in "Barney’s Bloodhound," and George, the repairman, in "Andy and Helen Have Their Day."
Morris even worked behind the scenes on the sitcom, making his directorial debut in 1964. He directed eight episodes of the program and has worked on other iconic sitcoms.
Throughout his career, Morris worked on classic shows such as "Gomer Pyle USMC," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and "Get Smart," but Ernest remained an indelible part of him.