Fred Sherman

Fred Sherman was an American actor born on May 14, 1905, in South Dakota, who built a career spanning stage, film, and television. His introduction to performing came after attending his first stage show, which prompted him to travel to San Francisco, where he took on a character part with an amateur stock company. He subsequently gained experience with several touring companies before establishing himself as a Broadway presence.

Sherman's Broadway career extended from 1905 to 1937 and encompassed both musical and dramatic productions. His stage credits included the musicals Three Waltzes, Frederika, and The Press Agent, as well as the musical Whatever Goes Up and the play Best Years.

Beyond the stage, Sherman accumulated a substantial list of film appearances. His credited screen roles included Too Many Women (1942), Shepherd of the Ozarks (1942), Hi, Neighbor (1942), Wrecking Crew, Chain Lightning (1950), 7 Men From Now (1956), The Tall T (1957), A Lust to Kill (1958), Alaska Passage (1959), and Why Must I Die? (1960).

Sherman was also a recognizable presence on American television. His small-screen appearances included Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, The Adventures of Superman, and multiple episodes of Wagon Train in 1959. He appeared twice on The Andy Griffith Show as Fred Goss, a dry cleaning store owner who became a romantic interest for Aunt Bee. The first appearance came in the episode "Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee," and the second in "Jailbreak," in which his character supplied information that assisted Andy and Barney in apprehending two criminals.

On February 14, 1944, Sherman married actress Claire Carleton in Hollywood. He died on May 20, 1969, at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.