Floyd Lawson - Character Traits

Character Traits

Once McNear took over the role, Floyd had a mustache and wore thick glasses and usually a white barber jacket. He was a whimsical, laid back, but occasionally excitable fellow whose barbershop was somewhat of an institution in the fictional town of Mayberry. The men of town would gather there, not only to get their hair cut, but to play checkers, discuss current events, read comic books, or generally just to "shoot the breeze" and "carry on."

At the start of the The Andy Griffith Show, Floyd was a secondary character, despite his barbershop being one of the main centers of action in Mayberry. Over time, Floyd's role gradually increased, and he began to be featured as a main character in several episodes. On one such occasion, in a 1962 episode called "Floyd, The Gay Deceiver." Floyd's female pen pal, with whom he had been corresponding, writes to tell him she will pay him a visit. Floyd begs Andy to help him because he has been deceiving her into thinking he was a wealthy businessman. Andy reluctantly agrees to help put up the act, only to discover that the woman is a con artist herself, intent on getting her hands on Floyd's "money".

Floyd was also an amateur poet, sometimes composing verse for Mayberry civic events. These poems always consisted of repeating, over and over, the same few words. He also had an inexplicable fondness for Calvin Coolidge, often attributing quotes to him.

Floyd Lawson was the uncle of Deputy Warren Ferguson, who replaced Deputy Barney Fife in the 1965 season, after the departure of actor Don Knotts. He also had a son, Norman, who appeared with him in the episode "Those Gossipin' Men" in 1961. His wife was never seen (and seldom discussed), but in one episode (Quiet Sam, Season 1) it was revealed her name was Melba. Due to Floyd mentioning being a member of a "Lonely Hearts Club" in "Floyd the Gay Deceiver," it is implied that his wife has died sometime between that episode and "Quiet Sam."

When not cutting hair, Floyd can generally be seen sitting on the bench outside his shop. In fact, in almost all of his appearances later in the series, Floyd is only seen sitting or appears to be standing behind the barber's chair. This was due to the effects of the stroke—in real life, it left McNear unable to stand for any significant length of time. From 1964 on, scenes with Floyd standing were accomplished with the use of a special brace that was hidden from view behind the barber's chair.