(Born December 7, 1936 in Fayetteville, North Carolina) MacRae got her acting start in the late 1950s, when Otto Preminger, the late actor and director, eventually offered her a contract that would lead to television roles in "Gunsmoke," "Maverick," "Route 66," "77 Sunset Strip," "The Untouchables," "Dr. Kildare," "Hawaiian Eye," "Bonanza," "Rawhide," "The Virginian" and "The Fugitive."

She would act along with noted episodic actors and actresses to include James Arness, James Garner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Richard Chamberlain, Michael Landon, Robert Stack, David Janssen and Clint Eastwood.

She appeared in soap operas "General Hospital," "Days of Our Lives," "The Guiding Light" and "Search for Tomorrow," as well as the 1974 Oscar-nominated film "The Conversation," starring Gene Hackman and directed by Frances Ford Coppola.

Lou-Ann Poovie is Gomer's girlfriend throughout most of the series. She is from North Carolina as well, and a sweet, somewhat naive, but always willing partner to Gomer's misadventures. Although very interested in music (she came to California for a music career), she is considered tone-deaf. Her catchphrase is "Well...actually..." Lou-Ann Poovie was introduced and appeared in three episodes in the show's third season. She played Gomer's girlfriend in the show's fourth and fifth seasons.

When she was asked about getting the part of LouAnn..."Aaron Ruben was our senior producer. I went to read for another part, and I was trying not to have a southern accent. But Lee Phillips, another North Carolina actor, looked in and said, 'My Lord, that's my favorite southern belle.' Rubin said, 'Can you speak with a southern accent?' "

"He hired me on the spot," MacRae says about Rubin. "And that was the birth of Lou-Ann Poovie. It was supposed to be a one-shot deal. I did 15 episodes. I was Gomer's girlfriend."

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. Episode Appearances

Love's Old Sweet Song
Lou Ann Poovie Sings Again
Lou Ann Poovie Sings No More
Corporal Carol
The Better Man
Friendly Freddy Strikes Again
Change Partners
Luv Finds Gomer Pyle
Sergeant Iago
Friendly Freddy the Gentleman's Tailor
The Return of Monroe
A Tattoo for Gomer
Win-a-Date
Dynamite Diner
Freddy's Friendly Computer

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