Actor, TV Icon Griffith Dies

As of Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Andy Griffith, the actor with a Southern down home nature who charmed audiences in a variety of roles -- including that of Sheriff Andy Talyor in the long-running television show that bore his name -- died today at his home in Dare County. He was 86.

The Andy Griffith Show debuted in 1960. In the mid-1980s he returned to television to capture a whole new generation of fans in the legal drama, Matlock.

The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons on CBS where Griffith played Sheriff Andy Taylor in the fictional town of Mayberry, which was based on his hometown of Mt. Airy.

The showed aired Monday nights, debuting at No. 4 in the ratings and never dropping out of the top 10.

From 1986 to 1995 Griffith played a Southern lawyer in the television show Matlock.

During his lengthy career Griffith also stared on Broadway and in films.

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transplant0130 10 months, 2 weeks ago

So sad! I can't help but whistle the 'Andy Griffith Show Theme Song' :(

DoubleHeroides 10 months, 2 weeks ago

In my opinion “No Time for Sergeants” is one of the funniest movies of all time. There won’t be another like him.

Arestorer 10 months, 2 weeks ago

His story of going to his first football game was hilarious......Still watch Ange....

cooldaddy 10 months, 2 weeks ago

It is out now in color Double H...One of the greatest!

Courseaire 10 months, 2 weeks ago

What a funny man & great storyteller - he'll be missed. Now Barney can take to bullet out of his pocket & put it in his gun.

RD28327 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Andy was one of a kind. There will never be another like him. RIP Andy.

MikeNC 10 months, 2 weeks ago

America and N C lost an icon today ! RIP Andy. Diane

tronie1 10 months, 2 weeks ago

RIP Andy. NC and the world will miss you.

clarabelle 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Such a great show......... I am certain I have seen most of the episodes many many times.

RIP to a man that brought so much pleasure.

debsalomon 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Mayberry may have been a caricature but for folks who loved NC and were living elsewhere it provided a sweet reminder. The show also gave us talented film producer Ron Howard -- cute, red-haired little Opie. Thank goodness for reruns...and for Andy.

Thatcher 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Such a talented and wonderful soul. He will be missed. I will always remember him this way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSG3sh.... Thanks, Andy.

Bentpan 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Universally, it seems we can agree, we lost someone today that as an entertainer ( film, TV, Music), and a citizen gave so much to NC and our country both as a politicaly active member and with" The Andy Griffith Show" as an example of just how good life could be with hardwork and a down home North Carolina sense of decency, manners and homespun commonsense.

lakeview 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the many years of laughs, good times and memories !!

isabelle 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Andy once said the reason the show resonated with audiences was because of love. The actors loved each other and it reflected in the interactions between the characters. The world could use a little more Mayberry these days, and the wisdom of a Sheriff Andy Taylor. Go rest now, Andy. Yours is a testimony of a life that touched millions and I'm sure, somewhere, someone was all the better for having witnessed goodness in action.