Topic: Ken Berry

Kenneth Ronald "Ken" Berry (born November 3, 1933) is an American dancer, comedic actor, and singer. Like Buddy Ebsen and Dan Dailey, Berry began on stage as a dancer and later starred in 1960s television sitcoms.

Berry was born in Moline, Illinois. He made his television debut on Arlene Francis' Soldier Parade, when he was serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. Winning the talent contest, he was invited to appear on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town (which later evolved into The Ed Sullivan Show). Berry's army sergeant was Leonard Nimoy, who urged him to return to California after the war for television auditions. Following his discharge in 1955, Berry performed with the Billy Barnes Revues in the 1950s and early 1960s. In the late 1950s, Berry appeared as a hotel bellhop named "Woody" in CBS's The Ann Sothern Show. During the 1960-1961 season, he guest starred with Pat O'Brien on ABC's sicom, Harrigan and Son.

Cast as a semi-regular doctor on NBC's Dr. Kildare and as a choreographer on an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show Berry attracted the attention of Hollywood producers. He was chosen to portray Captain Wilton Parmenter on ABC's F Troop. He was primed as the future heir-apparent Sam Jones on the eighth and final season of The Andy Griffith Show, thus inheriting the spinoff series Mayberry R.F.D.. The actor's longest running role was as Vinton Harper on Mama's Family.