Mr. Schwamp

Mr. Schwamp

Mr. Schwamp...the man...the mystery.

Mr. Schwamp (or Schwump, as he is better known) is the older dark haired man you often see sitting on the bench outside the barbershop or in groups of people in Mayberry.

Over the years, every cast and crew member of The Andy Griffith Show has been asked if they know the name of the actor who played Mr. Schwamp. While all of them remember him, none of them knows his real name. (And yes, Andy Griffith has been asked, as has Producer Richard Linke.) It has been found as of April 1, 2012. Patch S. Wimmers played our Mayberry Man of Mystery and he lived near the TAGS Studio and could just walk to the studio. Patch S. Wimmers as Mr. Schwamp. Thanks to Allan Newsome for posting the answer on Facebook. A few un-named people found the answer from an obscure mention on "The Danny Thomas Show"'s credits from an episode in 1956. Tell your friends the mystery is solved. Patch S. Wimmers is the name. This is John Lane (GomerBarneyFloyd) signing off 10-4 40-10, Bye!

Episodes

There are 26 documented Schwamp episodes:
Mr. Schwamp never speaks so you'll have to watch closely to spot him. A few times he is called by name, but usually he's just in the background, sometimes waaaay in the background.

The Andy Griffith Show

1. My Fair Ernest T. Bass (#112/A113F)
2. The Rumor (#124A/125F)
3. The Fun Girls (#122A/123F)
4. The Education of Ernest T. Bass (#131A/133F)
5. Otis Sues the County (#142A/141F)
6. The Luck of Newton Monroe #156
7. Off to Hollywood #166
8. Aunt Bee Takes a Job #171
9. The Cannon #172
10. The Church Organ #174
11. Otis the Artist #175
12. Aunt Bee Learns to Drive #180
13. Eat Your Heart Out #182
14. The Barbershop Quartet #191
15. The Lodge #192
16. Big Fish in a Small Town #198
17. Only a Rose #203
18. Don't Miss a Good Bet #205
19. Floyd's Barbershop #210
20. The Statue #211
21. Barney Comes To Mayberry #212
22. Aunt Bee and the Lecturer #230
23. The Church Benefactors #238
24. Barney Hosts a Summit Meeting #240
25. Mayberry, RFD #241
26. Sam for Town Council #247

Gomer Pyle, USMC

1. One Of Our Shells is Missing (4/5/1967) - Pyle and Sgt. Carter are in an army surplus store trying to locate a missing mortar shell, when Mr. Schwump walks across the back of the pawn shop.
2. Supply Sergeants Never Die (10/22/1965)

Inconsistency

• In the episode "The Fun Girls", during the scene of the Community Dance, Mr. Schwump is seen behind Andy and Barney on the dance floor. When the camera pans, he is sitting in the corner with a lady drinking a soda through a straw!