Although Parley Baer enjoyed a fairly illustrious acting career, his first love wasn't performing on television or film; it was performing in a circus.

Baer often played smaller, but notable roles like Mayor Stoner of The Andy Griffith Show.

I've been the next-door neighbor or the fumbling mayor or judge in just about everything," said Baer during an interview with the Anchorage Times. Baer was also well known in radio, where he played Chester in the original Gunsmoke.

Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!

Weeknights at 8 & 8:30, Sundays at 12 & 6 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

However, Baer had a background in circus performing, and it was a passion that lingered throughout his life.

"I'd give up everything else I do in show business if I could spend all of my time in the circus," said the actor.

Baer served as the ringmaster for Shrine Circus, delighting in entertaining an audience that waited for his performances with bated breath.

"I think apprehension is a good description of what circus audiences like to feel," said Baer. "I'm sure many people come to the circus to see the performers make mistakes, but most, I think, are pulling for the performers, hoping they are successful in their feats. In fact, audiences feel deeply for circus performers and often suspect them to be less subject to human frailties than the average man."

While he continued his acting career, Baer hoped there would be a resurgence in popularity for the good old circus act.

"People want to go out and see live concerts and circuses again," said the actor. "I hope that our own circus can grow with the times and become even greater."