Beloved 'Andy Griffith Show' Actress Frances Bavier ("Aunt Bee"): A Look Back at Her Life and Career

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One of the most beloved Hollywood stars in the history of television, in particular, was actress Frances Bavier, who died in 1989 at age 85. The likable actress became best known for her compassionate and nurturing role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968).

Bavier briefly reprised playing Bee in Mayberry RFD, the three-season sequel to The Andy Griffith Show, which starred Ken Berry (and which ended in the spring of 1971).

In 1985, Bavier had been invited to appear in the TV-reunion-movie, Return to Mayberry. However, she opted not to participate in the film, which brought together the entire cast of the original series, including Griffith, Don Knotts, Jim Nabors, George Lindsay, and even Ron Howard (who had by then become famous for Happy Days and his directorial career), among others.

By this time, Bavier had become somewhat of a recluse, and simply decided not to do the reunion, despite a personal visit from Griffith and Howard requesting her to do so.

Bavier Beyond Bee

Frances Bavier was a native of New York City, who attended Columbia University and graduated from the New York American Academy of the Arts. Bavier had amassed over two decades of live theatre experience, including stints in vaudeville and on Broadway, where her credits included the F. Hugh Herbert comedy Kiss and Tell and Paul Osborn's Point of No Return.

Bavier's list of big-screen movies included The Lady Says No and the science-fiction cult classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Conclusion

No matter her countless other credits, Frances Bavier will be forever remembered for her benchmark role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show.