Ken Berry

In his two-hour-and-forty-minute interview, Ken Berry (1933-2018) talks about his early interest in becoming a song and dance man. He recounts touring in a show for the air force and his experience on The Ed Sullivan Show. He recalls being hired by Lucille Ball and working on the Desilu lot, and discusses various early roles, including parts on The Ann Sothern Show, Dr. Kildare and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He describes his time as a regular on F Troop, The Andy Griffith Show, and its spin-off series Mayberry, R.F.D. Berry then outlines his later career, including his numerous guest appearances on The Carol Burnett Show and the role with which he is most closely associated, that of "Vinton Harper" on Mama's Family. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on March 7, 2012 in North Hollywood, CA.