Andy Griffith is dead. :(

[lurkingdirk]

Pretty iconic figure in American television.

Andy Griffith, an icon of TV, has died ... this according to Andy's close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday.

Griffith, who became famous for "The Andy Griffith Show," passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina this morning.

Friday broke the news to WITN News in North Carolina.

In addition to starring in his show and producing the subsequent "Mayberry R.F.D.," Griffith was a Grammy award-winning southern gospel singer. Of course, Griffith also starred in the long-running series, "Matlock" and often made guest appearances in other shows, including "Dawson's Creek."

There's a famous statue of Andy and Opie -- played by Ron Howard -- in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005

 

[Vanilla Bear]

Rest in peace Mr. Griffith.

 

[JasonCook78]

RIP Andy Griffith the talented actor who starred on the amazing Andy Griffith Show as Sheriff Andy Taylor with little Ron Howard as Opie and as the hot dog loving Ben Matlock on Matlock. You will always be remembered.

 

[meesterperfect]

Yep, I liked Andy,always seemed like a genuinely good guy.

 

[BCT]

Legend RIP

 

[StanScratch]

 

[GibbsGrad2002]

RIP Andy

 

[Mr. Daystar]

The Andy Griffith show will always be a great rerun to watch. As long as it's one of the black & white episodes. He was a funny guy, and had a charm about him, that made him seem very neighborly.

 

[dbradford8589]

RIP Andy Griffith.

 

[hotrain]

RIP you will be missed

 

[Frank Fire]

R.i.p

 

[mikexmoran]

Loved this guy. I always thought he was a cup of wholesome whenever I watched something he was in.
I'll miss him.

 

[John_8581]

Sad. Very sad. Rest in Peace Mr. Griffith. :angels:

 

[Jack Davenport]

He was a fellow North Carolinian and UNC Alum. I and a few others had a few run-ins with "good ol Andy" years ago. I actually had a bit part on Matlock in 1993. Let's just say that he knew how to work the Andy Taylor persona for all it was worth. Out of respect for his passing, I will leave it at that.

 

[Elwood70]

He may have passed from this world physically; but he'll never truly die. You know how I know?

...because every time I see his name, I start to whistle.... and you all know what I'm whistling.

RIP Andy Griffith; and thanks for helping to launch "Opie's" career.

 

[wottle]

He was a fellow North Carolinian and UNC Alum. I and a few others had a few run-ins with "good ol Andy" years ago. I actually had a bit part on Matlock in 1993. Let's just say that he knew how to work the Andy Taylor persona for all it was worth. Out of respect for his passing, I will leave it at that.

He had a very dark side, depending on your definition of dark,In regards to throwing his weight around on any set,
he was legendary. Young female iterns feared him greatly,That is, depending on your defination of dark.

I should not speak ill of the dead,but as Blue Countach hinted at, Persona and reality were two different things
with Andy

RIP to a TV Legend

wottle