whomper 553 Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) RIP Andy Legendary television actor Andy Griffith, who made a name for himself with his self-titled comedy "The Andy Griffith Show" and later on the long-running series “Matlock,” has died at the age of 86, according to multiple reports. Griffith was rushed to a North Carolina hospital by an EMS team after they were called to his Roanoke home Tuesday morning. The actor’s close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday, confirmed the news to several sources, including and a local NBC affiliate. The details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available. Griffith first gained prominence in Hollywood after appearing in the Elia Kazan film “A Face in the Crowd.” In 1960, he played the lead character in “The Andy Griffith Show,” where he became a household name and a staple of American television. The show ran until 1968. In 1986, he returned to television with the long-running series, “Matlock.” He was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush. Edited July 3, 2012 by whomper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SEC=UGA 46 Posted July 3, 2012 Very sad. I truly enjoyed most of his works. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Square 37 Posted July 3, 2012 That sucks. I liked Matlock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MustOfBeenDrunk 136 Posted July 3, 2012 One of the ones that never went "Hollywood" , always stayed grounded like Ron Howard ,, the spot light was not important to him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SEC=UGA 46 Posted July 3, 2012 IF you guys have never seen "No Time For Sergeants", check it out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MojoMan 0 Posted July 3, 2012 I loved the AG Show. Aunt Bee was a real looker! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nogohawk 4 Posted July 3, 2012 Mayberry launched a lot of careers - Don Knotts, Jim Nabors, Ron Howard RIP Sheriff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tazinib1 1,054 Posted July 3, 2012 There are a handful of actors I would love to work with before they pass. He was one of them. Sorry I never got the chance. RIP Andy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chester 31 Posted July 3, 2012 There are a handful of actors I would love to work with before they pass. He was one of them. Sorry I never got the chance. RIP Andy. Not trying to hijack, but just out of curiousity, who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tazinib1 1,054 Posted July 3, 2012 Not trying to hijack, but just out of curiousity, who? Well besides the big Hollywood talent, the super A list like Jack,Clint etc, the actors/actresses I grew up watching and admire are my favorites to work with. Like working with Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) and Eric Roberts. They are not names that will knock your socks off, but to me, it was a pleasure. I've worked with the big names: Jeff Bridges is the biggest so far. But to me, its the B list that is the most fun and rewarding to work with. Some of the handful off the top of my head: Adam West Bob Newhart Robert Duvall Sean Connery Roger Moore Betty White Well thats more than a handful but you get my drift. There are many others. I get a chance to work with Rutger Hauer later this year. Pretty excited about that...one of my favorites. Would love to have worked with Andy. Just to hear his stories on set would have been priceless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slambo 121 Posted July 3, 2012 IF you guys have never seen "No Time For Sergeants", check it out. PLO - permanent latrine orderly Don Knotts appears in this movie as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chargerz 26 Posted July 3, 2012 Very sad day. I grew up watching him on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief Dick 416 Posted July 3, 2012 Everytime I go fishing with my brothers I whistle the song from the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMD 331 Posted July 3, 2012 RIP - I grew up watching the Andy Griffith show (which was in reruns by then). Simple life is appealing. Those were the sort of shows that we all watched and offered a common language for us. Don Knotts was comedic genius in his own way. Imagine what today's shows would do with Otis the town drunk who let himself in and out of jail. Watching that show always made you think you needed to go fishing when you had a son and it was right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Footballjoe 152 Posted July 3, 2012 Andy lived about 2 hours from my home. Since our areas shared one of the same newspapers their were articles about Andy from time to time. I remember reading one where Don Knotts was talking about how great an actor Andy is. It appears that he was just playing himself in the show, an easy going person. However, he wasn't a real personable type person as you see on the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesVikes 139 Posted July 3, 2012 IF you guys have never seen "No Time For Sergeants", check it out. I think that I know the film. He was a country hick that made Gomer Pyle look like a genius. It was a good movie. I loved watching the Andy Griffith show growing up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesVikes 139 Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Well besides the big Hollywood talent, the super A list like Jack,Clint etc, the actors/actresses I grew up watching and admire are my favorites to work with. Like working with Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) and Eric Roberts. They are not names that will knock your socks off, but to me, it was a pleasure. I've worked with the big names: Jeff Bridges is the biggest so far. But to me, its the B list that is the most fun and rewarding to work with. Some of the handful off the top of my head: Adam West Bob Newhart Robert Duvall Sean Connery Roger Moore Betty White Well thats more than a handful but you get my drift. There are many others. I get a chance to work with Rutger Hauer later this year. Pretty excited about that...one of my favorites. Would love to have worked with Andy. Just to hear his stories on set would have been priceless. Eric Roberts plays a villain so many times that you'd think that he was a jerk. Like the movie where he played the boyfriend of a playboy model that he ended up killing. (Star 80) Edited July 3, 2012 by MikesVikes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electricrelish 2,177 Posted July 4, 2012 Losing Andy almost feels like losing family. He'll be missed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nuke'em ttg 13 Posted July 4, 2012 that show was a part of yer day Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimC 17 Posted July 4, 2012 I always have to watch the Andy Griffith Show when I see it on. One of my top 5 all-time favorite TV shows for sure. RIP Andy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ditkaless Wonders 42 Posted July 4, 2012 I liked how they were pioneers in bringing the small town America gay lifestyle on to T.V. With one of Floyd the Barber, Howard Sprague, Goober Pyle, or Ernest T. Bass appearing in nearly every episode this was pretty radical stuff back in the day. It was also pretty freaky when Andy and Barney would look for a group thing involving Helen Crump and Betty Lou. That show was lightyears ahead of its time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
