The Andy Griffith Show: Zach Galifiankis Influenced by Classic Theme Performer

Zach Galifiankis has a great movie career going (The Hangover, Dinner with Schmucks, Due Date, etc.) but he has spent years doing stand-up and working in television, including starring opposite Eliza Dushku on FOX’s Tru Calling. He’s currently working on HBO’s Bored to Death.

It seems Galifiankis was inspired to become a performer in part by someone who worked on another series, The Andy Griffith Show. Here’s an excerpt from a recent Playboy interview…

PLAYBOY: You grew up in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, which has a population of just a few thousand. Was it like growing up in Mayberry?

GALIFIANAKIS: Well, the gentleman who whistled the theme to The Andy Griffith Show came to my grade school. He whistled for an hour. Just whistled away. He went to work with no tools, no briefcase, no uniform at all. He just needed his mouth. That’s how he made a living, by whistling. I remember being in awe of him. He really did affect me.