Context: Howard Jerome Morris (September 4, 1919 -- May 21, 2005) was an American actor, voice actor and director who was best known for his role in The Andy Griffith Show as Ernest T. Bass.\n\nQuestion: who was the actor that played ernest t bass?
Let's think step by step below.
Howard Jerome Morris
To answer the question, consider the following: Howard Jerome Morris (September 4, 1919 -- May 21, 2005) was an American actor, voice actor and director who was best known for his role in The Andy Griffith Show as Ernest T.

Bass.

.

Thus, the answer is Howard Jerome Morris