Richard Oscar "Dick" Linke was an American television producer and talent manager who played a significant role in mid-twentieth-century American television. Born in 1917, Linke established a prolific career in the entertainment industry, particularly active as a producer between the years 1960 and 1986. Over the course of these nearly three decades, he was responsible for producing more than 200 television episodes, cementing his presence in the medium during a transformative era for broadcast television.\n\nLinke is perhaps best remembered for his enduring professional relationship with the actor and entertainer Andy Griffith. Serving as Griffith's personal manager for nearly forty years, Linke was instrumental in guiding Griffith's career. This close partnership extended into business ownership, as Linke held a 25 percent ownership stake in the classic television series The Andy Griffith Show. Linke passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy closely tied to some of the most recognizable programming of his era.
