David Browning, the Mayberry Deputy

I have mentioned David Browning, known as the Mayberry Deputy, a couple of times in previous posts. He figures more prominently into another post that will be made a week from today beginning the recounting of my experiences at Mayberry Days in 2016, so it is an opportune time to tell a bit more about him.

David does an incredible impersonation of Don Knotts, so much so that Don used David as an opening act for shows on more than one occasion.  Don himself said, “David Browning is a bridge between The Andy Griffith Show and today.” Ever respectful of the original, David does not refer to himself as a Barney Fife impersonator or tribute artist but instead as “The Mayberry Deputy.”

Over the years, David has worked with most of the surviving cast members in various shows at Mayberry events across the country including on the stage of the Grand Ole’ Opry. But fans also love him for his “crowd work” at Mayberry events.

For many years, David appeared at Mayberry Days and other Mayberry gatherings, entertaining festival attendees and acting as the emcee for shows. A large part of David’s success is not just his resemblance to the character of Barney Fife and his remarkable ability to evoke the character but is his ability to improvise. He wanders through crowds of Mayberry fans writing “tickets” and posing for pictures with such ease that I don’t think it is overstating it to say that he is beloved by the Mayberry community.

Mayberry Days this coming weekend will be the first in 27 years without David in attendance. His schedule at Mayberry Days always involved a grueling pace. He has not retired, though. David continues to perform as The Mayberry Deputy at other select Mayberry events as well as corporate appearances. He also appears in character in regional and national commercials for companies such as Bath Fitters.

I can tell you from personal experience that David is as nice a fellow as they come. He is undoubtedly a large factor in the continuing growth of the Mayberry spirit.