Jack Dodson (May 16, 1931 - September 16, 1994) Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was an American television actor best remembered for the character Howard Sprague in The Andy Griffith Show and its spin-off Mayberry R.F.D.
Andy Griffith hired Dodson for the Howard Sprague role after seeing him on Broadway in 1964's, Hughie. Dodson also appeared in episodes of My Friend Flicka, Maude, Barney Miller, Archie Bunker's Place, Newhart, Matlock, Mama's Family, and St. Elsewhere. He also had a recurring role as Ralph Malph's eye doctor dad on Happy Days. A guest appearance on Barney Miller (in the two-part episode "Homicide," Season 7) had Dodson in a Howard Sprague-like role as a mild mannered fellow who happened to be a vicious murderer.
In addition to his television work, Dodson also appeared in two films directed by Sam Peckinpah, The Getaway and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.
In 1985, Dodson returned to Broadway in the revival of You Can't Take It With You. In real life, the actor was a fan of boxing, and liked camping. He died in Los Angeles, California, aged 63.
From 1959 until his death in 1994, Dodson was married to longtime television actress Mary Dodson.
Brother-in-law of Fritz Weaver.
