The Andy Griffith Show may have been named for its lead actor, but its success was built around its ensemble cast. Performers like Frances Bavier, Don Knotts, Howard McNear, and Jim Nabors helped make Mayberry the most memorable small town in television history. There wasn't much special about the locale itself; the people made the neighborhood (and the show) special. So while Andy Griffith carried most of the narrative weight, the true stars of the show were his character's friends and family.

Hal Smith, who played Otis Campbell, lightened any scene he was in. There was never an actor who so believably portrayed a town drunk. 

But what was life like for Smith after The Andy Griffith Show?

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Why Hal Smith’s Role in Hollywood had to change

Well, for starters, he had to reassess his talent. While Smith was a great actor, he was mostly recognized as Otis, and so many people associated him with the soused, wide-eyed character. In fact, Smith had earlier played a similar role on The Ozzie and Harriet Show. 

However, by the '80s, organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers had successfully shifted societal attitudes. Drunkards weren't really used as comedic relief the way they once were. Smith spoke about it in a 1989 interview with The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"They don't use many drunks on television anymore. I think it isn't very appropriate anymore." While folks' outlooks had changed, that didn't necessarily mean that Smith regretted his role. 

"I'm an actor. When you're an actor, you act, regardless of the part."

Hal Smith’s Surprising Second Career in Voice Acting

By '89, Smith was 72 years old and had found a new career in voice acting. He originated the role of Owl in the Winnie the Pooh shorts and eventually took over the Pooh role when that character's first voice, Sterling Holloway, fell ill. He was also briefly the voice of Goofy! Outside of his work with Disney Studios, Smith lent his voice to many commercials. He was heard in on-screen promos for United Van Lines, Hickory Farms, Ivory soap, Toyota, General Mills, and many other products.

As his career changed, so did Hal Smith's physique.

"When I did The Andy Griffith Show, I weighed 240 pounds," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I lost most of it, and now I'm at 161 and keeping it off. I couldn't scale the rock hill where I go fishing, so I decided I had better lose the weight. I'm glad I did."

Smith had some memorable guest roles in Little House on the Prairie, Highway to Heaven, and in George Burns' movie 18 Again.

Life Off-Screen: Hal Smith’s Later Years

He and his wife, Louise, enjoyed peaceful times together at their secondary home in Prescott, Arizona. Smith was an avid animal lover and formerly owned several racehorses. Even after he had given up ownership, he and his wife spent plenty of time at the race track.

Hal Smith's son, Terry, was a TV and film makeup specialist and provided prosthetics for projects like V and The Last Starfighter.

Legacy: Remembering Hal Smith

Hal Smith would go on to play his most famous role twice more. In 1986, Otis reappeared in Return to Mayberry. He had long since given up the bottle, claiming to be "sober for years." In this new life, Otis was the Mayberry ice cream truck driver. Smith also reprised the role in Alan Jackson's country music video "Don't Rock the Jukebox".

Sadly, Smith's wife passed away in 1992. In the months that followed, his own health began rapidly deteriorating. Hal Smith died on January 28, 1994, at the age of 77, after an apparent heart attack. His longtime agent reported that Smith died in his home in Santa Monica while tuning into a nightly radio drama program. 

Did you know Hal Smith voiced Goofy? Let us know your favorite Otis moment in the comments!