COOPER&BURNETT Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Beloved TV icon Andy Griffith died at his Manteo, North Carolina, home on Tuesday morning. He was 86.Former UNC President Bill Friday confirmed the passing of his close friend to WITN News.Griffith became a household name for his portrayal of a small-town sheriff on "The Andy Griffith Show," which aired from 1960-1968. His character, Andy Taylor, was a widower in the fictional town of Mayberry, N.C., which was thought to be modeled after Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, N.C. His character encountered daily drama from his sidekick deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) as well as his young son Opie (Ron Howard).The actor went on to star on another long-running TV series: "Matlock." He played Ben Matlock, a no frills criminal defense lawyer who used his smarts to get people to confess in dramatic courtroom scenes. The show aired from 1986 to 1995.Griffith also appeared in other TV shows — including the original "Hawaii Five-O," "The Bionic Woman," "Fantasy Island," and "Dawson's Creek" — as well as films.Outside of acting, Griffith was an accomplished gospel singer who won a Grammy Award in 1997 for his album I Love to Tell the Story — 25 Timeless Hymns.The actor had several health issues through the years. In the 1980s he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a disorder of the nervous system which caused him to be paralyzed for seven months. In 2000, he underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery. Then, in 2007, he had hip surgery after a fall.Griffith was survived by his wife Cindi Knight, whom he married in 1983. He was married twice previously, first to Barbara Bray Edwards — the mother of his two children, Dixie Griffith and the late Sam Griffith — and then to Greek actress Solica Cassuto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatleboylevi Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 So sad I love the Andy Griffith Show and him in general. We truly lost a great actor today.:cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Glide Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 So sad I love the Andy Griffith Show and him in general. We truly lost a great actor today.:cry:Always sad but he had a great and long life. The pond in LA County where they filmed the famous segment of him walking with the fishing poles and Ron Howard was one of the first California filming locations that I remember ever going to in person years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsEvanFreed Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 R.I.P. Matlock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 I loved the series Matlock and me and my children always watched it after it aired in Germany.Sleep well, Mr. Griffith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D. Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I just watched "A Face in the Crowd" Andy Griffith was excellent in that movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.