We're all on our own journey through this crazy world, just trying to pave our own way. But sometimes, if you're lucky, your path may just intersect with someone who can change your life.

George Lindsey had one such occurrence early in his career. Today, Lindsey is better known as Goober Pyle, who appeared on The Andy Griffith Show beginning in 1964. A talented comedic actor, Lindsey's role was expanded as the years went on, and he frequently found himself acting alongside Andy Griffith, who starred in the series.

But according to Lindsey's memoir, Goober in a Nutshell, he and Griffith were nearly introduced years earlier, when Griffith was still making a name for himself on the stage, starring in No Time for Sergeants.

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Lindsey revealed that previously, he had an opportunity to work as Griffith's understudy.

"During the early part of my career in New York City, and when Andy was on Broadway in Sergeants, our paths almost crossed," wrote the actor. "I had auditioned to be his understudy as Will Stockdale, but the producers told me I wasn't big enough or Southern enough for the role. That was ironic because, while Andy photographs as a big man and looks huge, I'm actually taller than he is. However, at that time, I weighed only 160 pounds. I wasn't called back for the part, so I guess the scales didn't tip in my direction for that job."

At the time, this might have seemed like a loss for Lindsey, but in hindsight, the decision made sense. Lindsey wasn't destined to act under Griffith; he was meant to act alongside him on television!