Thelma Lou

Thelma Lou
The Andy Griffith Show character
Thelma Lou portrayed by Betty Lynn
First appearance	"Cyrano Andy" The Andy Griffith Show March 6, 1961 (1961-03-06)
Last appearance	Return to Mayberry April 13, 1986 (1986-04-13)
Portrayed by	Betty Lynn
In-universe information
Full name	Thelma
Nickname	Thel
Spouse	Gerald Whitfield (1965-1966) Barney Fife (1986-?)
Significant other	Barney Fife (boyfriend) (1961-1965)
Children	None
Relatives	Karen Moore (cousin) Mary Grace Gossage (cousin)

Thelma Lou, or Thel by boyfriend Barney Fife, is a character on the American television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968). The character appeared in 26 episodes, starting with the first-season episode, "Cyrano Andy".^[1] Thelma Lou was portrayed by Betty Lynn.

Thelma Lou lives in the community of Mayberry, North Carolina. She is Mayberry Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife's love interest. Thelma Lou appeared as a semiregular character in The Andy Griffith Show from 1961 until 1966, when the character was dropped from the show following the departure of Don Knotts and his Barney Fife character. She appeared in the 1986 reunion made-for-television movie, Return to Mayberry.