'F-Troop,' 'Mama's Family' actor Ken Berry dead at 85

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- F-Troop, Mayberry R.F.D. and Mama's Family actor Ken Berry has died at the age of 85, his ex-wife announced.

"With very deep sorrow, I must inform friends of Ken Berry that he died a short time ago," actress Jackie Joseph-Lawrence announced on Facebook on Saturday.

The Illinois native served in the U.S. Army special services under Sgt. Leonard Nimoy. The Star Trek icon later helped Berry find work in show business, Variety noted.

He started out as a singer and dancer in movie musicals, then went on to act in the television shows Dr. Kildare, Wendy and Me, The Andy Griffith Show, The Golden Girls, Love Boat, Fantasy Island and CHiPs. He also appeared in the films Herbie Rides Again and The Cat From Outer Space.

"We are at a true loss for words. Ken, we hope you know how much you were loved. Goodnight Captain. We miss you already," Berry's former F-Troop co-star wrote in a Facebook post.

Notable deaths of 2018