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Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer,
southern gospel Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its name comes from its origins in the southeastern United States. Its lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as ...
singer and writer whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known for his Southern drawl, his characters with a folksy-friendly personality, as well as his gruff but friendly voice, Griffith was a Tony Award nominee for two roles. He gained prominence in the starring role in director
Elia Kazan Elia Kazan (; born Elias Kazantzoglou ( el, Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου); September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was an American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by ''The New York Times'' as "one o ...
's film '' A Face in the Crowd'' (1957) and '' No Time for Sergeants'' (1958) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead roles of Andy Taylor in the sitcom '' The Andy Griffith Show'' (1960–1968) and Ben Matlock in the legal drama '' Matlock'' (1986–1995).


Early life and education

Griffith was born on June 1, 1926, in
Mount Airy, North Carolina Mount Airy is a city in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 10,611. History Mount Airy was settled in the 1750s as a stagecoach stop on the road between Winston-Salem, North Carolina an ...
, the only child of Carl Lee Griffith and his wife, Geneva (née Nunn). As a baby, Griffith lived with relatives until his parents could afford to buy a home. With neither a crib nor a bed, he slept in dresser drawers for several months. In 1929, when Griffith was three, his father began working as a helper or carpenter and purchased a home in Mount Airy's " blue-collar" south side. Griffith grew up listening to music. By the time he entered school, he was well aware that he was from what many considered the "wrong side of the tracks". He was a shy student, but once he found a way to make his peers laugh, he began to come out of his shell and come into his own. As a student at Mount Airy High School, Griffith cultivated an interest in the arts, and he participated in the school's drama program. A growing love of music, particularly
swing Swing or swinging may refer to: Apparatus * Swing (seat), a hanging seat that swings back and forth * Pendulum, an object that swings * Russian swing, a swing-like circus apparatus * Sex swing, a type of harness for sexual intercourse * Swing rid ...
, would change his life. Griffith was raised Baptist and looked up to Ed Mickey, a minister at Grace Moravian Church, who led the brass band and taught him to sing and play the trombone. Mickey nurtured Griffith's talent throughout high school until graduation in 1944. Griffith was delighted when he was offered a role in '' The Lost Colony'' by Paul Green, a play about
Roanoke Island Roanoke Island () is an island in Dare County, North Carolina, Dare County, bordered by the Outer Banks of North Carolina, United States. It was named after the historical Roanoke (tribe), Roanoke, a Carolina Algonquian people who inhabited the ar ...
still performed today. He performed as a cast member of the play for several years, playing a variety of roles until he finally landed the role of
Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion ...
, for whom North Carolina's capital is named. He attended the University of North Carolina (UNC) in
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Chapel Hill is a town in Orange, Durham and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Its population was 61,960 in the 2020 census, making Chapel Hill the 17th-largest municipality in the state. Chapel Hill, Durham, and the state ca ...
, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music
degree Degree may refer to: As a unit of measurement * Degree (angle), a unit of angle measurement ** Degree of geographical latitude ** Degree of geographical longitude * Degree symbol (°), a notation used in science, engineering, and mathemati ...
in 1949. He began college studying to be a Moravian preacher, but he changed his major to music and became a part of the school's Carolina Playmakers. At UNC, he was president of the UNC chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, America's oldest
fraternity A fraternity (from Latin language, Latin ''wiktionary:frater, frater'': "brother (Christian), brother"; whence, "wiktionary:brotherhood, brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club (organization), club or fraternal ...
for men in music. He also played roles in several student
operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, length of the work, and at face value, subject matter. Apart from its s ...
s, including '' The Chimes of Normandy'' (1946), and
Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert and Sullivan was a Victorian era, Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the dramatist W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900), who jointly created fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which ...
's '' The Gondoliers'' (1945), '' The Mikado'' (1948) and '' H.M.S. Pinafore'' (1949). After graduation, he taught music and drama for a few years at
Goldsboro High School Goldsboro High School is a public high school located in Wayne County, Goldsboro, North Carolina, Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States. The school's mascot is the Cougar, and the school colors are navy and gold. Notable alumni *Stanley Brya ...
in
Goldsboro, North Carolina Goldsboro, originally Goldsborough, is a city and the county seat of Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 33,657 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropol ...
, where he taught, among others, Carl Kasell. He also began to write.


Career


From rising comedian to film star

Griffith's early career was as a monologist, delivering long stories such as '' What It Was, Was Football'', which is told from the point of view of a naïve country preacher trying to figure out what was going on in a
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
game. The monologue was released as a single in 1953 on the Colonial Records label, and was a hit for Griffith, reaching number nine on the charts in 1954. Griffith starred in Ira Levin's one-hour teleplay, '' No Time for Sergeants'' (March 1955) — a story about a country boy in the United States Air Force — on '' The United States Steel Hour'', a television anthology series. He expanded that role in Ira Levin's full-length theatrical version of the same name (October 1955) on Broadway in New York City. The role earned him a "Distinguished Supporting or Featured Dramatic Actor" nomination at the 1956 Tony Awards, losing to Ed Begley. He did win the 1956 Theatre World Award, however, a prize given for debut roles on Broadway. "Mr. Griffith does not have to condescend to Will Stockdale" (his role in the play), wrote Brooks Atkinson in '' The New York Times''. "All he has to do is walk on the stage and look the audience straight in the face. If the armed forces cannot cope with Will Stockdale, neither can the audience resist Andy Griffith." Griffith later reprised his role for the film version (1958) of '' No Time for Sergeants''; the film also featured
Don Knotts Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', a 1960s sitcom for which he earned five Emmy Awards. He also ...
, as a corporal in charge of manual-dexterity tests, marking the beginning of a lifelong association between Griffith and Knotts. ''No Time for Sergeants'' is considered the direct inspiration for the later television situation comedy ''
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. ''Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.''The show (and CBS) renders the title as ''Gomer Pyle – USMC''. is an American situation comedy that originally aired on CBS from September 25, 1964, to May 2, 1969. The series was a spin-off of ''The Andy Griffith Sho ...
'' – a spin-off of ''The Andy Griffith Show''. His only other New York stage appearance was the title role in the 1959 musical '' Destry Rides Again'', co-starring Dolores Gray. The show, with a score by Harold Rome, ran for 472 performances and more than a year. Griffith was nominated for "Distinguished Musical Actor" at the 1960 Tony Awards, losing to Jackie Gleason. He also portrayed a US Coast Guard sailor in the feature film '' Onionhead'' (1958). It was neither a critical nor a commercial success.


Dramatic role in ''A Face in the Crowd'' (1957)

In 1957, Griffith made his film debut starring in the film '' A Face in the Crowd''. He plays a "country boy" who is manipulative and power-hungry: a
drifter A drifter is a vagrant who moves from place to place without a fixed home or employment. Drifter(s) or The Drifter(s) may also refer to: Films and television Films * ''The Drifter'' (1917 film), an American film directed by Fred Kelsey * ''Th ...
who becomes a television host and uses his show as a gateway to political power. The film was directed by
Elia Kazan Elia Kazan (; born Elias Kazantzoglou ( el, Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου); September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was an American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by ''The New York Times'' as "one o ...
and written by Budd Schulberg and co-stars Patricia Neal,
Walter Matthau Walter Matthau (; born Walter John Matthow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, comedian and film director. He is best known for his film roles in '' A Face in the Crowd'' (1957), ''King Creole'' (1958) and as a coach of a ...
, Tony Franciosa, and Lee Remick (in her film debut). A 2005 DVD reissue of ''A Face in the Crowd'' includes a mini-documentary on the film, with comments from Schulberg and cast members Griffith, Franciosa, and Neal. In his interview, Griffith recalls Kazan prepping him to shoot his first scene with Remick's teenaged baton twirler, who captivates Griffith's character on a trip to Arkansas. Griffith also expresses his belief that the film was more popular in more recent decades than it was when originally released.


Television roles


Early television roles

Griffith's first appearance on television was in 1955 in the one-hour teleplay of ''No Time for Sergeants'' on ''The United States Steel Hour''. That was the first of two appearances on that series. In 1960, Griffith appeared as a county
sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...
, who was also a
justice of the peace A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or ''puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission ( letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sa ...
and the
editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, orga ...
of the local newspaper, in an episode of '' Make Room for Daddy'' starring Danny Thomas. This episode, in which Thomas's character is stopped for running a stop sign in a little town, served as a backdoor pilot for ''The Andy Griffith Show''. Both shows were produced by Sheldon Leonard.


''The Andy Griffith Show'' (1960–1968)

Beginning in September 1960, Griffith starred as Sheriff Andy Taylor in ''The Andy Griffith Show'' for the CBS television network. The show took place in the fictional town of
Mayberry Mayberry, North Carolina, is a fictional community that was the setting for two popular American television sitcoms, ''The Andy Griffith Show'' (1960–1968) and ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' (1968–1971); Mayberry was also the setting for a 1986 reuni ...
, North Carolina, where Taylor, a widower, was the sheriff and town sage. The show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in
Culver City, California Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most d ...
. From 1960 to 1965, the show co-starred
character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...
and comedian — and Griffith's longtime friend — Don Knotts in the role of Deputy Barney Fife, Taylor's best friend and comedy partner. He was also Taylor's cousin in the show at first, though later they dropped that cousin relationship and talked simply of knowing one another since boyhood. In the series premiere episode, in a conversation between the two, Fife calls Taylor "Cousin Andy", and Taylor calls Fife "Cousin Barney". The show also starred child actor Ron Howard (then known as Ronny Howard), who played Taylor's only child, Opie Taylor. It was an immediate hit. Griffith never received a writing credit for the show, but he worked on the development of every script. Knotts was frequently lauded and won multiple
Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
s for his comedic performances, as did Frances Bavier in 1967, while Griffith was never nominated for an Emmy Award during the show's run. In 1967, Griffith was under contract with CBS to do one more season of the show. However, he decided to quit the show to pursue a movie career and other projects. The series continued as '' Mayberry R.F.D.'', with Ken Berry starring as a widower farmer and many of the regular characters recurring, some regularly and some as guest appearances. Griffith served as executive producer (according to Griffith, he came in once a week to review the week's scripts and give input) and guest starred in five episodes (the pilot episode involved his marriage to Helen Crump). He made final appearances as Taylor in the 1986 reunion television film, '' Return to Mayberry'', with fellow co-star, Don Knotts. Two reunion specials followed in 1993 and 2003, with strong ratings.


''Matlock'' (1986–1995)

After leaving his still-popular show in 1968, and starting his own production company Andy Griffith Enterprises in 1972, Griffith starred in less-successful television series such as '' Headmaster'' (1970), '' The New Andy Griffith Show'' (1971), '' Adams of Eagle Lake'' (1975), ''
Salvage 1 ''Salvage 1'' is an American science fiction series that was broadcast for 16 episodes (of the 20 produced) on ABC during 1979. The pilot film, ''Salvage'', was shown on January 20, 1979, to high ratings. Plot The pilot centers on Harry Broder ...
'' (1979) and ''The Yeagers'' (1980). After spending seven months in rehabilitation for leg
paralysis Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, roughly 1 in 50 ...
from Guillain–Barré syndrome in 1983, Griffith returned to television as the title character, Ben Matlock, in the legal drama ''Matlock'' (1986–1995) on NBC and ABC. Matlock was a country lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, who was known for his
Southern drawl A drawl is a perceived feature of some varieties of spoken English language, English and generally indicates slower, longer vowel sounds and diphthongs. The drawl is often perceived as a method of speaking more slowly and may be erroneously attri ...
and for always winning his cases. ''Matlock'' also starred unfamiliar, struggling actors (both of whom were childhood fans of Andy Griffith) Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas (1987–1992) and Clarence Gilyard, Jr. as Conrad McMasters (1989–1993). By the end of its first season it was a ratings powerhouse on Tuesday nights. Although the show was nominated for four Emmy Awards, Griffith once again was never nominated. He did, however, win a People's Choice Award in 1987 for his work as Matlock.


Other television appearances

Griffith also made other character appearances through the years on ''
Playhouse 90 ''Playhouse 90'' was an American television anthology series, anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology dr ...
'', ''
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. ''Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.''The show (and CBS) renders the title as ''Gomer Pyle – USMC''. is an American situation comedy that originally aired on CBS from September 25, 1964, to May 2, 1969. The series was a spin-off of ''The Andy Griffith Sho ...
'', '' The Mod Squad'', '' Hawaii Five-O'', '' The Doris Day Show'', ''
Here's Lucy ''Here's Lucy'' is an American sitcom starring Lucille Ball. The series co-starred her long-time comedy partner Gale Gordon and her real-life children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. It was broadcast on CBS from 1968 to 1974. It was Ball's thir ...
'', '' The Bionic Woman'' and '' Fantasy Island'', among many others. He also reprised his role as Ben Matlock on '' Diagnosis: Murder'' in 1997, and his final guest-starring role was in 2001 in an episode of '' Dawson's Creek''.


Films (including television films)

For most of the 1970s, Griffith starred or appeared in many television films, including '' The Strangers In 7A'' (1972), '' Go Ask Alice'' (1973), ''
Winter Kill ''Winter Kill'' is a 1974 American made-for-television mystery-thriller film directed by Jud Taylor and written by John Michael Hayes and David Karp. It stars Andy Griffith as Sam McNeill, the police chief in a small resort town in the mountains ...
'' (1974) and ''
Pray for the Wildcats ''Pray for the Wildcats'' is a 1974 American made-for-television thriller film about a psychopathic business executive chasing his workers on dirtbikes through the desert after he killed a young man. The film was directed by Robert Michael Lewis ...
'' (1974), which marked his first villainous role since ''A Face in the Crowd''. Griffith appeared again as a villain in ''
Savages Savages may refer to: Films * Savages (1972 film), ''Savages'' (1972 film), by James Ivory * Savages (1974 film), ''Savages'' (1974 film), an American TV film * The Savages (film), ''The Savages'' (film), a 2007 film by Tamara Jenkins * Savage ...
'' (1974), a television film based on the novel '' Deathwatch'' (1972) by Robb White. He appeared as The Father in a 1976 PBS television adaptation, directed by Stacy Keach, of Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author. Griffith received his only
Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...
nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie for his role as the father of a murder victim in the television film '' Murder in Texas'' (1981) and won further acclaim for his role as a homicidal villain in the television film ''
Murder in Coweta County Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse, especially the c ...
'' (1983), co-starring music legend
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
as the sheriff. He also appeared in several television miniseries, including the television version of '' From Here to Eternity'' (1979), '' Roots: The Next Generations'' (1979), '' Centennial'' (1978), and the Watergate scandal-inspired '' Washington: Behind Closed Doors'' (1977), playing a former president loosely based on Lyndon B. Johnson. Most of the television movies in which Griffith starred were also attempts to launch a new series. ''
Winter Kill ''Winter Kill'' is a 1974 American made-for-television mystery-thriller film directed by Jud Taylor and written by John Michael Hayes and David Karp. It stars Andy Griffith as Sam McNeill, the police chief in a small resort town in the mountains ...
'' (1974) launched the short-lived '' Adams of Eagle Lake'', which was canceled in 1975 after only two episodes. A year later, he starred as a New York City attorney for the DA's office in ''Street Killing'', which also failed to launch a new show. Two television films for NBC in 1977, ''The Girl in the Empty Grave'' and ''Deadly Game'', were attempts for Griffith to launch a new series featuring him as Police Chief Abel Marsh, a more hard-edged version of Andy Taylor; despite strong ratings, both were unsuccessful in leading to a new TV show. During this period, Griffith also appeared in two feature films, both of which flopped at the box office. He co-starred with Jeff Bridges as a crusty old 1930s western actor in the comedy '' Hearts of the West'' (1975), and he appeared alongside Tom Berenger as a gay villainous colonel and cattle baron in the Western comedy spoof ''
Rustlers' Rhapsody ''Rustlers' Rhapsody'' is a 1985 American comedy– Western film. It is a parody of many Western conventions, most visibly of the singing cowboy films that were prominent in the 1930s and the 1940s. The film was written and directed by Hugh Wi ...
'' (1985). Following another short-lived return to series television, playing a family patriarch in the ''Dynasty''-inspired ''The Yeagers'' in 1980, Griffith continued to make guest appearances in several hit series, including '' Hotel'', '' Fantasy Island'', where he played a fictional version of western figure Judge Roy Bean featured in an aspiring singer's fantasy, and an episode of '' The Love Boat'', which featured a memorable appearance by pop icon Andy Warhol. He also appeared as an attorney in the NBC miniseries '' Fatal Vision'' (1984), which is considered a precursor to his role in ''Matlock''. Griffith stunned many unfamiliar with his ''A Face in the Crowd'' work in the television film ''Crime of Innocence'' (1985)...wherein he portrayed a hateful and vindictive judge who routinely sentenced juveniles to hard prison time, followed by lengthy and equally-torturous probation. Also noteworthy in Griffith's darker roles was his character in ''Under the Influence'' (1986), a TV movie in which Griffith played an alcoholic, abusive patriarch. He further surprised audiences with his role as a dangerous and mysterious grandfather in the television film ''Gramps'' (1995) co-starring John Ritter. He also appeared as a comical villain in the spy movie spoof '' Spy Hard'' (1996) starring Leslie Nielsen. In the television film '' A Holiday Romance'' (1999), Griffith played the role of Jake Peterson. In the film '' Daddy and Them'' (2001), Griffith portrayed the patriarch of a dysfunctional southern family. In the feature film '' Waitress'' (2007), Griffith played a crusty
diner A diner is a small, inexpensive restaurant found across the United States, as well as in Canada and parts of Western Europe. Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine, a casual atmosphere, and, characteristically, a com ...
owner who takes a shine to Keri Russell's character. His last appearance was the leading role in the romantic comedy,
independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
'' Play the Game'' (2009) as a lonely, widowed grandfather re-entering the dating world after a 60-year hiatus. The cast of ''Play the Game'' also included Rance Howard, Ron Howard's real-life father, who had made appearances in various supporting roles on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', and Clint Howard, Ron's younger brother, who had the recurring role of Leon (the kid offering the ice cream cone or peanut butter sandwich) on ''The Andy Griffith Show''.


Singing and recording career

Griffith sang as part of some of his acting roles, most notably in ''A Face in the Crowd'' and in many episodes of both ''The Andy Griffith Show'' and ''Matlock''. In addition to his recordings of comic monologues in the 1950s, he made an album of upbeat country and gospel tunes during the run of ''The Andy Griffith Show'', which included a version of the show's theme sung by Griffith under the title "
The Fishin' Hole "''The Andy Griffith Show'' Theme", the theme music for the 1960–1968 CBS television sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show'', was composed by Earle Hagen in 1960. He also performed the whistling heard in the theme. Its success resulted in widespread ...
". In recent years, he recorded successful albums of classic Christian hymns for Sparrow Records. His most successful was the release ''I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns'' (1996), which was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album won Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album at the
1997 Grammy Awards The 39th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1997, at Madison Square Garden, New York City. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Babyface was the night's biggest winner, with 3 awards. Celine Dion, Toni B ...
. Griffith appeared in country singer Brad Paisley's music video " Waitin' on a Woman" (2008).


Name dispute

William Harold Fenrick of Platteville, Wisconsin, legally changed his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of Grant County in November 2006. Subsequently, actor Griffith filed a lawsuit against Griffith/Fenrick, asserting that he violated trademark, copyright, and
privacy Privacy (, ) is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves, and thereby express themselves selectively. The domain of privacy partially overlaps with security, which can include the concepts of a ...
laws by changing his name for the "sole purpose of taking advantage of Griffith's fame in an attempt to gain votes". On May 4, 2007, US District Court Judge
John C. Shabaz John C. Shabaz (June 25, 1931August 31, 2012) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge. He served 30 years as a United States district judge for the Western District of Wisconsin, and was Chief Judge between 1996 and 2001. Earlier in his car ...
ruled that Griffith/Fenrick did not violate federal trademark law because he did not use the Griffith name in a commercial transaction but instead in order "to seek elective office, fundamental First Amendment protected speech".


Association with Don Knotts and Ron Howard


Don Knotts

Griffith's friendship with
Don Knotts Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', a 1960s sitcom for which he earned five Emmy Awards. He also ...
began in 1955 when they co-starred in the Broadway play ''No Time for Sergeants''. Several years later, Knotts had a regular role on ''The Andy Griffith Show'' for five seasons. Knotts left the series in 1965, but periodically returned for guest appearances. He appeared in the pilot for Griffith's subsequent short-lived series, ''The New Andy Griffith Show'', and he had a recurring role on ''Matlock'', from 1988 to 1992. In a January 2000 interview, Griffith said of Knotts, "The five years we worked together were the best five years of my life." They kept in touch until Knotts' death in early 2006. Griffith traveled from his Manteo, North Carolina, home to Los Angeles to visit the terminally ill Knotts at
Cedars-Sinai Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a nonprofit, tertiary, 886-bed teaching hospital and multi-specialty academic health science center located in Los Angeles, California. Part of the Cedars-Sinai Health System, the hospital employs a staff of over 2 ...
just before Knotts died of lung cancer.


Ron Howard

Griffith's friendship with child actor Ron Howard began in 1960 when they guest-starred in the episode of ''Make Room For Daddy'' that led to the formation of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' the same year. For eight seasons, they starred together in most of the show's episodes, portraying father and son. They guest-starred together in the show's spin-off series ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' They appeared in an episode during which Griffith's character married his long-time girlfriend, Helen Crump, and in the ''Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.'' episode "Opie Joins the Marines", in which Howard's character, Opie, runs away from home and attempts to enlist in the US Marines. They co-starred in the TV special '' Return to Mayberry'' (1986), in which the now-adult Opie is about to become a father. They later appeared together in CBS reunion specials in 1993 and 2003. Griffith also made a comedy cameo on the '' Saturday Night Live'' program of October 9, 1982, hosted by Howard, who was, by then, in the early years of his directing career. In October 2008, Griffith and Howard briefly reprised their Mayberry roles in an online video ''Ron Howard's Call to Action''. It was posted to comedy video website Funny or Die. The video encouraged people to vote and endorsed
Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...
candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden. After Griffith's death, Howard stated: "His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around. The spirit he created on the set of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment. And I think it was a reflection of the way he felt about having the opportunity to create something that people could enjoy. It was always with respect and passion for the opportunity and really what it could offer people in a very unpretentious and earthy way. He felt he was always working in service of an audience he really respected and cared about. He was a great influence on me. His passing is sad. But he lived a great rich life." In a 2016 interview with ''US Magazine'', Howard recalled Griffith encouraging his scriptwriting when he was just seven years old, saying "I felt elated." Howard recounted: "Andy Griffith said, 'What are you grinnin' at, young'un?' I said, 'That's the first idea of mine they've taken.' He said, 'It's the first that was any damn good. Now let's rehearse!'"


Political activities

In 2000, Griffith appeared in a last-minute campaign commercial where he endorsed then-Attorney General
Mike Easley Michael Francis Easley (born March 23, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 72nd governor of North Carolina from 2001 to 2009. He is the first governor of North Carolina to have been convicted of a felony. A member of ...
for governor of the state of North Carolina. Easley had been locked in a tight race with former Mayor of Charlotte
Richard Vinroot Richard A. Vinroot (born April 14, 1941) is an American politician and attorney from Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as the 52nd Mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995. Vinroot ran unsuccessfully for Governor of North Carolina in 1996, 2000 an ...
and had been losing his lead in the polls. Easley went on to win that November, taking 52% of the vote to Vinroot's 46%. Many observers dubbed Easley's victory as the "Mayberry Miracle", and credit Griffith's endorsement for stopping his falling poll numbers. In October 2008, Griffith appeared with Ron Howard in a Funny or Die video endorsement for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. In addition to his online video with Howard in 2008, in politics Griffith favored Democrats and recorded television commercials endorsing North Carolina governors Mike Easley and Bev Perdue. He spoke at the
inauguration In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inaugu ...
ceremonies of both. In 1989, he declined an offer by Democratic party officials to run against
Jesse Helms Jesse Alexander Helms Jr. (October 18, 1921 – July 4, 2008) was an American politician. A leader in the conservative movement, he served as a senator from North Carolina from 1973 to 2003. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ...
, a Republican
U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...
from North Carolina. In July 2010, he also starred in advertisements about Medicare.


Personal life

In 1945, while a student at the University of North Carolina, Griffith was initiated as a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national social music fraternity for men. Griffith and Barbara Bray Edwards were married on August 22, 1949, and they adopted two children: a son named Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. (born in 1957 and better known as Sam Griffith) and a daughter named Dixie Nann Griffith. They divorced in 1972. Sam, a real-estate developer, died in 1996 after years of alcoholism. The senior Griffith's second wife was Solica Cassuto, a Greek actress. They were married from 1973 to 1981. Griffith and Cindi Knight married on April 12, 1983, after they met when he was filming ''Murder in Coweta County''. According to the 2015 book ''Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show'',
Aneta Corsaut Aneta Louise Corsaut (November 3, 1933November 6, 1995) was an American actress and writer. She is best known for playing Helen Crump on ''The Andy Griffith Show'' (1963–1968), Judge Cynthia Justin on '' Matlock'' (1991–1992), and Jane in ' ...
and Griffith had an affair while Griffith was married and they were working together on '' The Andy Griffith Show''.


Health and death

Griffith's first serious health problem was in April 1983 when he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome and could not walk for seven months because of paralysis from the knees down. On May 9, 2000, he underwent quadruple heart- bypass surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in
Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...
. After a fall, Griffith underwent hip surgery on September 5, 2007, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. On July 3, 2012, Griffith died at his coastal home in Manteo, North Carolina, from a heart attack he had the day before; he was 86. His death certificate listed
hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...
,
coronary artery disease Coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), myocardial ischemia, or simply heart disease, involves the reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to build-up of atherosclerotic pla ...
, and hyperlipidemia as underlying health conditions. In accordance with prior arrangements, no services were held at the time, and he was buried at the family cemetery on the island within five hours of his death.


Awards and honors

* Television Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1991) * Star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...
* Andy Griffith Museum—a 2,500-square-foot facility which houses the world's largest collection of Griffith memorabilia—opened on September 26, 2009, in Mount Airy, North Carolina * Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album for ''I Love to Tell the Story – 25 Timeless Hymns'' in 1997 * Grammy Award nominations for
Best Comedy Album The Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement in comedy." The award was awarded yearly from 1959 to 1993 and then from 2004 to presen ...
(''Hamlet'' in 1960) and Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album (''Just As I Am'' in 1999) * Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1999) * A stretch of
US Highway 52 U.S. Route 52 (US 52) is a major United States highway in the central United States that extends from the northern to southeastern region of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S. Highways, US 52 primarily follows ...
that passes through Mount Airy rededicated as the Andy Griffith Parkway * Statue of Griffith and Ron Howard (as Andy and Opie) constructed in Pullen Park in Raleigh, North Carolina * A second statue was later erected in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy of Andy and Opie outside the Andy Griffith museum. * Andy Griffith signature model guitar commissioned by C.F. Martin & Company * Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005) * Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2007) * North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2010)


Albums


Filmography


Features


Short subjects


Television work


References


External links


Inventory of the Andy Griffith Papers, 1949–1997
in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill * * * * *
Andy Griffith Discography
at
MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffith, Andy 1926 births 2012 deaths 20th-century American comedians 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American singers 21st-century American comedians 21st-century American male actors American gospel singers American male comedians American male film actors American male singer-songwriters American male television actors American male voice actors American performers of Christian music American television producers Burials in North Carolina Colonial Records Comedians from North Carolina Deaths from coronary artery disease Deaths from hypertension Grammy Award winners Male actors from North Carolina North Carolina Democrats People from Manteo, North Carolina People from Mount Airy, North Carolina People with Guillain–Barré syndrome Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Schoolteachers from North Carolina Singer-songwriters from North Carolina Southern gospel performers University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Writers from North Carolina