Josie Lloyd was an American actress who appeared in several television shows in the 1960s, most notably The Andy Griffith Show. She was the daughter of Norman Lloyd, a veteran actor, producer and director who worked with Alfred Hitchcock. Josie Lloyd died on September 30, 2020, at the age of 80. What was the cause of her death? Here are some facts you need to know.
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Early Life and Career
Josie Lloyd was born on May 28, 1940, in New York City. She was the only child of Norman Lloyd and Peggy Lloyd, who was also an accomplished Broadway actress and director. Josie Lloyd gained on-set experience in television production by observing her father’s work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the late 1950s. She made her debut on that series in 1959 in the episode “Graduating Class”, which was directed by Herschel Daugherty and involved her father as associate producer. She played the role of Vera Carson, a student who is blackmailed by her teacher.
Lloyd then appeared in a brief uncredited role as a girl at a New Year’s Eve party in the film Studs Lonigan in 1960. She returned to television, where she worked on a variety of series until 1967. She had two more roles on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, as well as multiple performances on Dr. Kildare, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Farmer’s Daughter, and The Andy Griffith Show.
She also had roles on This Man Dawson, Channing, Have Gun – Will Travel, The Twilight Zone, My Three Sons, Route 66, The Long Hot Summer, and Occasional Wife. Her last known television role was “Miss Efficiency” on Occasional Wife in 1967.
The Andy Griffith Show and Lydia Crosswaithe
Josie Lloyd is best remembered for her role as Lydia Crosswaithe, an eccentric and socially awkward character who appeared in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show between 1961 and 1965. She first played the role of Mayor Pike’s daughter Josephine in “The Beauty Contest” and then as Juanita in “Mayberry Goes Hollywood” in 1961. She then reprised the role of Lydia Crosswaithe in “Barney Mends a Broken Heart” in 1962 and “Goober and the Art of Love” in 1965.
In both episodes, Lydia is a prospective date for one of the main characters arranged by Barney Fife (Don Knotts) and his girlfriend Thelma Lou (Betty Lynn). In the first episode, she is paired with Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), who has just broken up with his girlfriend Peggy McMillan (Joanna Moore). In the second episode, she is paired with Goober Pyle (George Lindsey), the town’s gas-station attendant who is looking for love.
Lydia is portrayed as a quirky and nervous woman who has a penchant for poetry and knitting. She often recites verses from Robert Burns’ “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton” and makes sweaters for her dates. She also has a habit of saying “yoo-hoo” to get attention and giggling nervously. She is not very popular with men, as Andy and Goober both find her annoying and try to avoid her.
However, Lydia also shows some signs of intelligence and assertiveness. She is able to solve a crossword puzzle that stumps Andy and Barney in “Barney Mends a Broken Heart”. She also stands up to Goober when he tries to ditch her for another woman in “Goober and the Art of Love”. She tells him that he is not a gentleman and that she deserves better.
Personal Life and Death
Josie Lloyd was married twice in her life. She was the fourth wife of puppeteer Bil Baird, who was famous for his work on The Sound of Music and The Muppet Show. They were married in 1974 and remained together until Baird’s death in 1987. She then married Michael Gruen, a lawyer and producer, in 1990. They divorced later.
Lloyd died in Los Angeles on September 30, 2020, at the age of 80. According to Wikipedia, she was survived by her father Norman Lloyd, who died less than a year later in May 2021 at the age of 106. The cause of her death was not publicly disclosed.
Josie Lloyd was a talented actress who left a lasting impression on many fans of classic television shows. She will be remembered for her quirky and memorable portrayal of Lydia Crosswaithe on The Andy Griffith Show.
