Are you a fan of The Andy Griffith Show? If so,
you probably remember the character Otis the Drunk who was featured on several episodes.
But do you know about the actor behind the role? Hal Smith played Otis the Drunk as
well as several other memorable characters in film and television in a career spanning four decades.
His career began in radio but he really realized his talent
for entertaining while enlisted in the US Air Force during the Second
World War. He was one of America’s most prolific and versatile character actors.
Let’s learn about Hal Smith’s life and career and how he came to play Otis the Drunk…
BEGINNINGS IN SHOWBIZ
Otis the drunk would get frequently locked up in Mayberry’s jail.
But Hal Smith was born miles away in Petoskey, Michigan in 1916.
Something must have been in his genes that gave him a natural talent for entertaining.
Upon graduating from high school, he decided to pursue a career in radio.
He worked as a DJ as well as a voice actor for a radio station in New York.
He worked in radio from 1936 to 1943 and honed his craft during his time. But he
really realized that he was destined for show business during the Second World War.
He enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines
from 1943 to 1946. He was part of the Special Services Division that was responsible for
providing entertainment to the troops. It was here where he really began to master his craft.
He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1946
and was awarded many medals. These medals were the American Campaign Medal, the World
War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
Once he returned to the United States, his next destination was Hollywood…
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BEGINNINGS IN TV AND FILM
Hal began his TV career with many bit parts and recurring roles
in some of the most popular TV shows of the 1950s and 1960s.
These included roles in shows such as I Married Joan, The People’s Choice, The Life and Legend
of Wyatt Earp, Broken Arrow, Jefferson Drum, The Loretta Young Show, The Texan, Bonanza, The
Red Skelton Show, and Clutch Cargo.
He also had a scattered film career alongside his early television career
though many of his roles went uncredited. His first film role was in Stars Over Texas
and throughout the 50s and 60s he acted in films such as The Milkman, Francis Covers
The Big Town, There’s Always Tomorrow, Eighteen and Anxious, Hot Car Girl, and The Apartment.
But his big break was soon to come…
OTIS THE DRUNK
Sometimes, a character doesn’t have to be in every episode of a TV show to make an impact on the
audience. They also don’t have to have significant screen time to leave a lasting impression.
Such was the case with Hal’s breakthrough character, Otis the Drunk. Otis Campbell was the
town drunk in Mayberry, a fictitious Southern town that made the setting for The Andy Griffith Show.
The show ran from 1960 to 1968 and had just over 400 episodes.
Out of these episodes, Otis the Drunk appeared in only 32 of them! Yet,
the character remains one of the most popular characters that fans remember and love.
Otis the Drunk would get too inebriated in public and then would show up at the
Mayberry Police Station only to lock himself in the jail cell – without
Andy or Barney having to arrest him or force him!
Hal reprised this role in the 1986 TV movie Return to Mayberry.
Though Otis Campbell was a drunk, Hal Smith seldom drank alcohol.
He even appeared as Otis in campaigns held by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The character gave Hal Smith the lovable image he’d have for the rest of his life.
But even behind the character, Hal became one of the most loved actors in the industry.
EARLY STRUGGLES
Let’s rewind a bit and talk more about Hal’s
early career. Many actors struggle for years before they get their big break.
As Hal Smith’s popularity grew with his portrayal of Otis Campbell,
there was much curiosity about his early career. It seemed that he had
tried his hand at almost every aspect of show business. While his career began with working
on the radio in New York, this certainly wasn’t his first foray into entertainment.
He was involved in music since his teens – even starting his own
orchestra in the 1930s known as ‘Hal Smith and His Music’
His parents didn’t really care for his music career, but this didn’t stop him.
He knew that he loved entertaining others and wanted to make a living in showbusiness.
Apart from music performances, he was even part of a vaudeville double act called Trade & Mark.
When he transitioned to the radio, he worked as a DJ, radio actor, and even a newsreader.
He eventually hosted his own show called The Yawn Patrol. Here he’d sing songs, play the piano,
and play a variety of characters. While he was spending the 30s and 40s honing his craft and
building his resume – he knew that he was destined to reach wider audiences. After
his stint in the Army, he knew that the next step had to be to make it big in Hollywood.
HAL’S FILM AND TELEVISION CAREER
While many of Hal’s film roles throughout the 1950s went uncredited,
he was happy to receive regular
work. In some films he had supporting roles, in others he had smaller bit parts. The love
of acting and working clearly helped him develop his work ethic and perseverance – two things that
are needed to survive in the competitive and often cruel world of show business!
He once stated that he was happy just being a supporting actor. But even if
he wasn’t the lead, he still could steal the show.
Hal’s talent did in fact come from his parents – even though they weren’t involved in
show business. His father Jay was a millwright who had a knack for telling stories and entertaining.
This must have passed down to Hal who managed to harness this talent in even the smallest of roles.
Any fan should look back at his early films to see how he managed to stand
out even if he had a small role. His talent in the radio industry
and in the early part of his film and TV career didn’t go unnoticed.
He was cast as a voice actor in many popular animated TV shows of the time including The Yogi
Bear Show and The Flintstones. In fact, among his most famous voice roles included Owl in The
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and as Goofy – after Pinto Colvig, the original voice actor died.
He also lent his voice to episodes in The Pink Panther animated series,
Scooby Doo, Where Are You, and as Phillipe the Horse in Beaty and the Beast.
His other TV appearances following his time on The Andy Griffith Show included roles in
The Odd Couple, The Brady Bunch, and Little House on the Prairie.
He also regularly appeared in commercials for several major brands including Pizza Hut,
Toyota, Mattel, Ivory Soap, Hickory Farms, and General Mills!
HAL’S LEGACY
There were certain challenges with being known
mostly for Otis the Drunk on The Andy Griffith Show.
Many people couldn’t distinguish Hal from Otis and assumed that he was also an alcoholic!
His son Terry was often asked if his father was exactly like Otis.
On one occasion Hal came across an irate employee at a hardware store
who stated that his brother started drinking after watching Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show!
At the height of his fame, Hal would often be offered free drinks wherever he’d go.
He’d regularly turn them down as he seldom drank alcohol!
But these few challenges were more than made up for! Otis was
so loved by fans that Hal became one of America’s most loved entertainers.
In 1964, “Hal Smith Day” was planned to pay a tribute to him.
The town of Massena, New York came together to plan the day. There was a group banquet that
included breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hal also visited the local hospital to entertain patients.
One vacant store was redesigned to look like the Mayberry Jail.
It was here where Hal met many of his loyal fans and signed autographs.
There was live music, a limousine service, and a reunion with Hal’s old school friends.
Hal was moved that he had reached such stardom. The Andy Griffith
Show was still running, and Hal was still a relatively new star.
Yet, he had amassed such fame that an entire town wanted to celebrate him and his talent.
He continued to act well into the 1990s – mostly in television,
with much of his later career being dedicated to voice acting.
In the late 80s and early 90s, he also re-entered the world of radio drama.
Hal was married to Louise from 1936 to 1992 when she passed away. Together,
they had a son Terry Smith who survives them. Hal Smith passed away in 1994 at the age of 77.
His life and career are one that’ll continue to inspire us all…