Which actor played Mayberry county clerk Howard Sprague?

Jack Dodson played Mayberry county clerk Howard Sprague on The Andy Griffith Show.

Howard Sprague is the town’s mild-mannered, often fussy county clerk. Dodson brought a distinctive comic style to the character, whose cautious personality and formal habits made him a memorable member of Mayberry’s later ensemble.

Dodson’s Howard first appeared after the show’s early seasons and became a recurring presence during the series’ color-era years. He was credited in 37 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and also continued as Howard Sprague in the sequel series Mayberry R.F.D.

Viewers sometimes confuse Dodson with George Lindsey, who played mechanic Goober Pyle, or Paul Hartman, who played fix-it-shop owner Emmett Clark. Howard McNear is another common mix-up because he portrayed barber Floyd Lawson. Dodson also appeared earlier on The Andy Griffith Show as Andy’s insurance agent, Ed Jenkins, before becoming associated with Howard Sprague.