The gent above between Sheriff Andy and Barney Fife is Aaron Ruben, who produced and sometimes directed or wrote The Andy Griffith Show. Aaron, who passed away Saturday at the age of 95, was a tireless creative talent who was responsible for some of the most beloved TV shows of several generations. The Andy Griffith Show was only one, though that alone was enough to get him into anyone's personal Hall of Fame. Others on his résumé included You'll Never Get Rich (AKA Sgt. Bilko), Caesar's Hour, Sanford and Son, Too Close for Comfort, CPO Sharkey and Gomer Pyle, USMC. Before all that, he was one of the top writers in radio, working for (among others) Fred Allen, Burns and Allen, Dinah Shore and Milton Berle.
So it kinda goes without saying that he was a genuinely witty man. What I might mention is that he was also a very kind man, who devoted much of his non-show-biz energy (and a lot of money he'd made in the industry) to helping needy children. So did his lovely actress-wife Maureen Arthur, who most of you will remember as being so wonderful in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Aaron was very nice to me…but then, he was very nice to everyone. You'll see that if you want to take the 4 and a half hours to watch this video interview with him. Heck, you can tell that if you watch any portion of it. Here's a link to the L.A. Times obit, as well.