Former UNC President Bill Friday says Andy Griffith died this morning in Dare County. Friday, who is a close friend of the actor, confirmed that to WITN News.

Friday tells us the 86-year-old actor died at his Dare County home around 7:00 a.m. this morning.

Griffith attended UNC Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in Music. According to IMDb.com, Griffith was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show in the 1950's.

His legacy role, which earned him the title of "America's Favorite Sheriff"on "The Andy Griffith" show, set in fictional Mayberry, put North Carolina on the map in the entertainment industry. The show ran from 1960-1968, propelling a handful of spin-off programs. Griffith also produced and starred in the television series "Matlock."

Griffith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George W. Bush.

Griffith was born in Mount Airy.

He was a T.V. Icon, he will be missed, I really liked "Matlock" R.I.P.


TV legend Andy Griffith dead at 86
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Andy Griffith (right) with "Andy Griffith Show" co-star Don Knotts. (Handout)

Andy Griffith as Sheriff Taylor (left) and Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife. (Handout)

Cast members from "The Andy Griffith Show", from left: Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Ron Howard as Opie Taylor and Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, pose in this undated photo made available by Viacom. (File)

The Andy Griffith Show (CBS) 1960-1968. Shown from left: Andy Griffith (as Sheriff Andy Taylor), George Lindsey (as Goober Pyle)

The Andy Griffith Show (CBS) 1960-1968. Shown from left: Andy Griffith (as Sheriff Andy Taylor), George Lindsey, Howard McNear

The Andy Griffith Show (CBS) 1960-1968. Shown from left: Andy Griffith (as Sheriff Andy Taylor), George Lindsey (as Goober Pyle)

Cover of Andy Griffith's album.

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) presents his Presidential Medal of Freedom to actor Andy Griffith at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, November 9, 2005. Bush presented the highest civil award recognizing exceptional meritorious service to 14 honorees from the sport, entertainment and political world at the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed
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   * 'Goober Pyle' dead at 83

Actor Andy Griffith, whose portrayal of a small-town sheriff made “The Andy Griffith Show” one of American television’s most enduring shows, has died at his North Carolina home, television station WITN reported on Tuesday.

The television station quoted a longtime friend as saying that the 86-year-old actor died at his home on Roanoke Island. The Dare County Sheriff’s dispatcher would say only that an ambulance was called to Griffith’s residence but would not comment further.

Griffith created another memorable character, the folksy defense lawyer in “Matlock” in the 1980s and ‘90s, but it was his portrayal of Sheriff Andy Taylor on the “The Andy Griffith Show” in the 1960s that gave him a place in U.S. television history.

The show portrayed life in the friendly, slow-moving fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, which was widely believed to have been based on Griffith’s own hometown, Mount Airy, North Carolina.

If you were a parent in the Sixties, you probably had your kids watching The Andy Griffith Show.

WOW!!

I was wondering why all the flag were at half mast today
( I now live in North Carolina).

RIP Andy...always a joy to watch fabled Americana...though
it was not too far from the truth

RIP Sherrif........was a hokie but funny show......lots of great characters....Still say Mick could star in the Don Knotts Story!

gimmekeef wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2012 at 1:55pm:


LOL I think they look alike too! MICK is much more attractive, of course!

RIP Andy.

Zack wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2012 at 1:00pm:


There were many scenes on the AGS where Sheriff Taylor had a gun, but I don't think he ever fired it.

Usually in scenes where a "dangerous" criminal was in Mayberry, Andy & Barney would go after them,
Barney would bungle it up and Andy would save the day while making Barney look the hero.