Andy Griffith dies at age 86

[bradl]

Dammit. We're starting to lose our "TV parents"; this guy was one of them and everybody knows him. RIP, Andy, and thanks for being there sand being a good lawyer, too (Matlock). I know what tune I'll be whistling today.

Story

Andy Griffith Dead: Actor Dies At Age 86

Actor Andy Griffith died on Tuesday morning in Dare County, North Carolina, reports WITN.com.

Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie confirmed to the website that an ambulance went to the 86-year-old's home at 7 a.m. this morning.

News of the Griffith's death was confirmed to WITN by Bill Friday, the former President of the University of North Carolina and a close friend of the actor.

Griffith was best known for his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show,” which ran from 1960 to 1968, and later known for his role as a criminal defense lawyer on "Matlock," which ran from 1986 to 1995. The actor was honored with the the TV Land Legend Award in 2004, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005. Griffinth was also a singer and musician, and his 1996 album "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless" went platinum.

He is survived by wife Cindi and his daughter Dixie. Son Andrew Jr., known as Sam, died in 1996, reports MSNBC.

 

[MacDawg]

Sad to hear
The Andy Griffith Show was a part of American culture

 

[GoCubsGo]

This is sad, I grew up with him.

 

[MacNut]

My generation knew him better as Mattlock. Talk about being able to stay relavent for many generations.

 

[Shrink]

Elia Kazan's "A Face In The Crowd" was a prescient depiction of the influence of TV. Griffith was blilliant, as was Pat Neil.

I know his TV series really made him famous, but "A Face In The Crowd" demonstrated impressive acting chops.

RIP

 

[ucfgrad93]

He will be greatly missed. I always thought he was an excellent actor and a wonderful person.

 

[dukebound85]

Truly sad to hear

 

[senseless]

A real gentleman, from what I've read.

 

[mscriv]

Yep, ditto to what has already been posted. I grew up on Andy Griffith reruns and my mom loved Matlock. Let's not forget his wonderful gospel albums as well.

 

[RawBert]

Sad to know he's gone. He was a great man.

 

[rdowns]

Damn, I grew up watching him and Opie Cunningham.

RIP Pa!

 

[rhett7660]

Man...... We are starting to loose a lot of the people we have grown up with..... Very sad.....

 

[iJohnHenry]

Very sad. Andy was much loved. And as far as I know, not a nasty bone in his body.

TV aside, I can still remember scenes from the movie No Time For Sergeants.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_time_for_sergeants/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052005/

You could do worse than to seek this one out, to enjoy, in his remembrance.