Editing Andy Griffith

{{Short description|American actor and singer (1926–2012)}}
{{hatnote group|
{{Distinguish|Andy Griffiths (disambiguation){{!}}Andy Griffiths|Andrew Griffith|Andy Griffin}}
{{for|the eponymous TV series|The Andy Griffith Show}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Andy Griffith
| image              = Andy Griffith Andy Griffith Show 1960.jpg
| image_upright      =
| caption            = Griffith in 1960, ''The Andy Griffith Show''
| birth_name         = Andy Samuel Griffith<ref>{{cite web|title=Andy Griffith Interview – Archive of American Television video|date=October 22, 2017 |time=0:33|quote=My name is Andy. It never was Andrew.|url=https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/andy-griffith?clip=19081#interview-clips}}</ref>
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1926|6|1}}
| birth_place        = [[Mount Airy, North Carolina]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2012|7|3|1926|6|1}}
| death_place        = [[Manteo, North Carolina]], U.S.
| resting_place      = [[Roanoke Island]], [[North Carolina]], U.S.
| alma_mater         = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] ([[Bachelor of Music|BMus]])
| party              = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| notable works      = {{plainlist|
*''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''
*''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]''
}}
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|Barbara Bray Edwards|1949|1972|end=div}}
* {{Marriage|Solica Cassuto|1973|1981|end=div}}
* {{Marriage|Cindi Knight<br>|1983<!--Year omitted per Template:Marriage instructions due to marriage ended with article subject's death-->}}
}}
| children           = 2
| years_active       = 1946–2012
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|producer|singer|writer|director}}
}}

'''Andy Samuel Griffith''' (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, singer, and writer<ref>{{cite press release|date=September 9, 2005|url=http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/sep05/griffith090905.htm|title=Andy Griffith to Donate Personal Collection to UNC's Southern Historical Collection|work=[[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]|access-date=January 14, 2010|archive-date=March 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312234052/http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/sep05/griffith090905.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 Awards|Tony Award]] nominee for two roles. He gained prominence in the starring role in director [[Elia Kazan]]'s film ''[[A Face in the Crowd (film)|A Face in the Crowd]]'' (1957) and ''[[No Time for Sergeants (film)|No Time for Sergeants]]'' (1958) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead roles of [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]] in the sitcom ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1960–1968) and [[Ben Matlock]] in the [[legal drama]] ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]'' (1986–1995).

==Early life and education==
Griffith was born on June 1, 1926, in [[Mount Airy, North Carolina]], the only child of Carl Lee Griffith and his wife, Geneva (née Nunn).<ref>{{cite book | last1=Robinson | first1=D. | last2=Fernandes | first2=D. | title=The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference: Episode-by-Episode, with Cast and Production Biographies and a Guide to Collectibles | publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-4766-0187-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tcr6UMkvVPwC&pg=PT381 | access-date=September 29, 2021 | page=381}}</ref> 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 worker|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 music|swing]], would change his life. Griffith was raised [[Baptist]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/playeraprofileof002609mbp/playeraprofileof002609mbp_djvu.txt |title=Full text of "The Player A Profile Of An Art" |year=1961 |publisher=Simon And Schuster |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> 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 ''[[Lost Colony (play)|The Lost Colony]]'' by [[Paul Green (playwright)|Paul Green]], a play about [[Roanoke Island]] 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 [[Walter Raleigh|Sir Walter Raleigh]], for whom North Carolina's capital is named.

He attended the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina]] (UNC) in [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]], and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Music]] [[academic degree|degree]] in 1949. He began college studying to be a [[Moravian Church|Moravian]] preacher, but he changed his major to music and became a part of the school's [[PlayMakers Repertory Company#History of the Carolina Playmakers|Carolina Playmakers]]. At UNC, he was president of the UNC chapter of [[Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia]], America's oldest [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] for men in music.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.sinfonia.org/aboutus.asp|publisher=Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia|access-date=July 3, 2012|location=Evansville, IN|quote=Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the world's oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702195032/http://www.sinfonia.org/aboutus.asp|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> He also played roles in several student [[operetta]]s, including ''[[The Chimes of Normandy]]'' (1946), and [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]'s ''[[The Gondoliers]]'' (1945), ''[[The Mikado]]'' (1948) and ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]'' (1949).<ref>[http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/pcoll/inv/P0035/P0035.html Collection Number: P0035, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Art Photographs and Related Materials, 1911-1970s"], University of North Carolina Libraries, Retrieved January 20, 2012</ref> After graduation, he taught music and drama for a few years at [[Goldsboro High School]] in [[Goldsboro, North Carolina]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/ref/collection/yearbooks/id/8506|title=Gohisca [1951] :: North Carolina College and University Yearbooks|website=library.digitalnc.org|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921114802/https://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/ref/collection/yearbooks/id/8506|url-status=dead}}</ref> where he taught, among others, [[Carl Kasell]].<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119793136588435187 "So This Is Carl Kasell!"] by Joanne Kaufman, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', December 18, 2007 (Retrieved March 21, 2011)</ref> He also began to write.

==Career==

===From rising comedian to film star===
Griffith's early career was as a [[monologue|monologist]]. Assuming the character of an affable country parson, "Deacon Andy Griffith" delivered long stories such as "[[What It Was, Was Football]]", in which he tried to figure out what was going on in a [[American football|football]] game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carolinafan.com/ar/02/020926_what_it_was.html |title=What It Was, Was Football |publisher=Carolinafan.com |date=September 26, 2002 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> The monologue was released as a single in 1953 on the [[Colonial Records]] label. The much larger [[Capitol Records]] acquired the master recording and reissued the record in December 1953.<ref>Mike Gross, ''Variety'', Dec. 16, 1953, p. 40.</ref> It became a hit, reaching number nine on the charts in 1954.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dmdb.org/cgi-bin/plinfo_view.pl?SYN053537 |title=details for What It Was, Was Football—Deacon Andy Griffith |publisher=Dmdb.org |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> The B-side of the single was the deacon explaining [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet (play)|Romeo and Juliet]]'' in the same rural dialect. Griffith made appearances on television variety shows, where he would deliver either the football monologue or the Shakespeare monologue.

Griffith starred in [[Ira Levin]]'s one-hour [[teleplay]], ''[[No Time for Sergeants (United States Steel Hour)|No Time for Sergeants]]'' (March 1955)&nbsp;— a story about a country boy in the [[United States Air Force]]&nbsp;— on ''[[The United States Steel Hour]]'', a television [[anthology series]]. He expanded that role in [[Ira Levin]]'s full-length theatrical version of [[No Time for Sergeants#Broadway play|the same name (October 1955)]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in New York City.<ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=2543 "No Time for Sergeants"]. [[Internet Broadway Database]]. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref> The role earned him a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] nomination for "[[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play|Distinguished Supporting or Featured Dramatic Actor]]" nomination at the [[10th Tony Awards|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."<ref>{{cite news|author = Brooks Atkinson|date=October 21, 1955|title=Alvin Premiere for "No Time for Sergeants |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

Griffith reprised his role for [[Warner Bros.]]' film version of ''[[No Time for Sergeants (1958 film)|No Time for Sergeants]]'' (1958); the film also featured [[Don Knotts]], as a jittery [[corporal]] in charge of [[fine motor skill|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.]]''<ref>{{cite book | last1=Debolt | first1=A. | last2=Baugess | first2=J.S. | title=Encyclopedia of the Sixties: A Decade of Culture and Counterculture &#91;2 volumes&#93;: A Decade of Culture and Counterculture | publisher=ABC-CLIO | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-4408-0102-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4WFjKG6vmUC&pg=PA256 | access-date=September 29, 2021 | page=256}}</ref> – a spin-off of ''The Andy Griffith Show''.

His only other New York stage appearance was the [[Title character|title role]] in the 1959 musical ''[[Destry Rides Again (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 "[[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Distinguished Musical Actor]]" at the [[14th Tony Awards|1960 Tony Awards]], losing to [[Jackie Gleason]]. Warner Bros., pleased with the reception of its ''No Time for Sergeants'' film, placed Griffith in another military comedy, ''[[Onionhead]]'' (1958), starring Griffith as a [[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]] sailor. It was neither a critical nor a commercial success.

===Dramatic role in ''A Face in the Crowd'' (1957)===
[[File:Andy Griffith-Neal-Remick.jpg|thumb|Griffith with [[Lee Remick]] (l) and [[Patricia Neal]] (r) on the set of ''A Face in the Crowd'' (1957)]]
In 1957, Griffith made his film debut starring in the film ''[[A Face in the Crowd (film)|A Face in the Crowd]]''. He plays a "country boy" who is manipulative and power-hungry: a [[vagabond (person)|drifter]] who becomes a television host and uses his show as a gateway to political power. The film was directed by [[Elia Kazan]] and written by [[Budd Schulberg]] and co-stars [[Patricia Neal]], [[Walter Matthau]], [[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 twirling|baton twirler]], who captivates Griffith's character on a trip to [[Arkansas]]. Griffith also expresses his belief that the film is more popular in recent decades than it was when originally released.<ref>{{cite AV media  | people = Andy Griffith; Patricia Neal; Anthony Franciosa; Budd Schulberg; Leo Braudy; Jeff Young  | date = 2005  | title = Facing the Past (included on A Face in the Crowd DVD) | medium = DVD  | time = 21:00-21:30; 27:30-27:45  | publisher = The Criterion Collection}}</ref>

===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 (United States)|county]] [[sheriff]], who was also a [[justice of the peace]] and the [[copy editing|editor]] 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)====
[[File:Andy Griffith Julie Adams Andy Griffith Show 1962.JPG|thumb|left|Andy Griffith and [[Julie Adams]] in 1962]]
Beginning in September 1960, Griffith starred as [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Sheriff Andy Taylor]] in ''The Andy Griffith Show'' for the [[CBS#Television years: expansion and growth|CBS television network]]. The show took place in the fictional town of [[Mayberry]], North Carolina, where Taylor, a widower, was the sheriff and town sage. The show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at [[RKO Forty Acres|Forty Acres]] in [[Culver City, California]].

From 1960 to 1965, the show co-starred [[character actor]] and comedian&nbsp;— and Griffith's longtime friend&nbsp;— Don Knotts in the role of [[Deputy sheriff|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]]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.

[[File:Andy Griffith Lee Meriwether 1971.JPG|thumb|right|Publicity photo with [[Lee Meriwether]] for ''[[The New Andy Griffith Show]]'', 1971]]
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. During the last season of ''The Andy Griffith Show'', new cast member [[Ken Berry]] was worked into the storylines as a principal character, grooming him as Griffith's replacement. Producer Sheldon Leonard shrewdly introduced the new, revamped Griffith show ''[[Mayberry R.F.D.]]'' as a summer-replacement series in the Griffith time slot, attracting Griffith's established audience. The series continued into the fall, with Ken Berry as a widower farmer and many of the regular ''Griffith Show'' 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]]).<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062587/fullcredits "Full Cast and Crew for ''Mayberry R.F.D.'']. [[IMDb]]. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref> 

Griffith made final appearances as Taylor in three reunion vehicles: the 1986 [[television movie|television film]], ''[[Return to Mayberry]]'', with fellow co-star, Don Knotts, and two reunion specials in 1993<ref name=1993reunion>{{cite news|last=King|first=Susan|title=Nostalgia star of Andy Griffith reunion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IUJWAAAAIBAJ&pg=1165,1773529&dq=matlock+knotts|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=Gainesville Sun|date=February 7, 1993|location=Gainesville, FL|page=7D}}</ref> and 2003,<ref name=2003-reunion-a>{{cite news|last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|title=Remembering the warm glow of Mayberry|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2003/11/11/remembering_the_warm_glow_of_mayberry/|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=November 11, 2003|location=Boston, MA}}</ref> with strong ratings.<ref name=2003-reunion-b>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|title=Ron Howard says 'The Missing' compels with story, performances|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2003/11/28/ron_howard_says_the_missing_compels_with_story_performances/|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=November 28, 2003|location=Boston, MA}}</ref>

====''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 (TV series)|Headmaster]]'' (1970), ''[[The New Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1971), ''[[Adams of Eagle Lake]]'' (1975), ''[[Salvage 1]]'' (1979) and ''The Yeagers'' (1980). After spending seven months in rehabilitation for leg [[paralysis]] 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 American English|Southern drawl]] 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/index.jsp?year=1987 |title=People's Choice Awards 1987 |access-date=August 1, 2013}}</ref>

====Other television appearances====
Griffith also made other character appearances through the years on ''[[Playhouse 90]]'', ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]'', ''[[The Mod Squad]]'', ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'', ''[[The Doris Day Show]]'', ''[[Here's Lucy]]'', ''[[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)===
[[File:A Face in the Crowd publicity photo (Patricia Neal & Andy Griffith).jpg|thumb|right|[[Patricia Neal]] and Griffith in ''[[A Face in the Crowd (film)|A Face in the Crowd]]'' (1957)]]
[[File:N 91 41 Andy Griffith 1984 (7495691570).jpg|thumb|right|Andy Griffith in 1984]]
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]]'' (1974) and ''[[Pray for the Wildcats]]'' (1974), which marked his first villainous role since ''A Face in the Crowd''. Griffith appeared again as a villain in ''[[Savages (1974 film)|Savages]]'' (1974), a television film based on the novel ''[[Deathwatch (book)|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]] nomination as [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie]] for his role as the father of a murder victim in the television film ''[[Murder in Texas (film)|Murder in Texas]]'' (1981) and won further acclaim for his role as a [[homicide|homicidal]] [[villain]] in the television film ''[[Murder in Coweta County]]'' (1983), co-starring music legend [[Johnny Cash]] as the sheriff. He also appeared in several [[miniseries|television miniseries]], including the television version of ''[[From Here to Eternity (TV series)|From Here to Eternity]]'' (1979), ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]'' (1979), ''[[Centennial (miniseries)|Centennial]]'' (1978), and ''[[Washington: Behind Closed Doors]]'' (1977)—inspired by the [[Watergate scandal]]—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]]'' (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 film)|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]]'' (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 (American TV series)|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 (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 film)|Waitress]]'' (2007), Griffith played a crusty [[diner]] owner who takes a shine to [[Keri Russell]]'s character. His last appearance was the leading role in the [[romantic comedy]], [[independent film]] ''[[Play the Game (2009 film)|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]]". In later years, he recorded successful albums of classic Christian [[hymn]]s 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.<ref name=RIAA>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=RIAA Gold & Platinum (May 21, 2010) |publisher=Riaa.com |url-status=dead |access-date=February 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |archive-date=June 26, 2007 }}</ref> The album won [[Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album]] at the [[1997 Grammy Awards]].<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/28/arts/winners-of-the-1997-grammy-awards.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 28, 1997 |title=Winners of the 1997 Grammy Awards |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

Griffith appeared in country singer [[Brad Paisley]]'s music video "[[Waitin' on a Woman]]" (2008).<ref name=LAT>{{cite news|title=Brad Paisley on Andy Griffith, star of his 'Waitin' on a Woman' video|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-brad-paisley-remembers-andy-griffith-costar-of-his-waitin-on-a-woman-video-20120703,0,4137394.story|access-date=July 14, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 3, 2012|author=Randy Lewis}}</ref>

===Name dispute===
William Harold Fenrick of [[Platteville, Wisconsin]], legally changed his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of [[Grant County, Wisconsin|Grant County]] in November 2006. Subsequently, actor Griffith filed a lawsuit against Griffith/Fenrick, asserting that he violated [[Intellectual property|trademark, copyright]], and [[Privacy law|privacy]] 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, [[United States District Court|US District Court]] Judge [[John C. Shabaz]] ruled that Griffith/Fenrick did not violate [[Law of the United States|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".<ref name=name_weau>{{cite web|title=Andy Griffith Sues Former Wisconsin Sheriff's Candidate|url=http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/4621396.html|publisher=WEAU.com|access-date=April 2, 2011|archive-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720015317/http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/4621396.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foley|first=Ryan J.|title=Judge: Candidate named after Andy Griffith didn't harm actor|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qmpPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3999,1672548&dq=william+harold+fenrick|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=The Times-News|date=May 8, 2007|agency=The Associated Press|location=Hendersonville, NC|page=4C}}</ref>

==Association with Don Knotts and Ron Howard==

===Don Knotts===
[[File:Andy Griffith Don Knotts 1970.JPG|thumb|Don Knotts (l) and Andy Griffith (r) on the set of "The Andy Griffith-Don Knotts-[[Jim Nabors]] Hour" variety special (aired on October 7, 1965)]]
Griffith's friendship with [[Don Knotts]] began in 1955 when they co-starred in the Broadway play ''No Time for Sergeants''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinos-Goodin |first=Jesse |title=Five things you may not have known about Andy Griffith |url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/07/03/five-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-andy-griffith/ |access-date=July 3, 2012 |newspaper=National Post |date=July 3, 2012 |location=Toronto, ON |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129135429/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/07/03/five-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-andy-griffith/ |archive-date=January 29, 2013 }}</ref> Several years later, Knotts had a regular role on ''The Andy Griffith Show'' for five seasons.<ref name=usa>{{cite news|title=Mayberry, USA: 'Simpler time, sweeter place'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-11-10-mayberry_x.htm|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=November 10, 2003|location=McLean, VA}}</ref> Knotts left the series in 1965,<ref>{{cite news|title=There is a lot of Barney Fife in us all|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-02-27-letters-knotts_x.htm|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=February 27, 2006|location=McLean, VA}}</ref> but periodically returned for guest appearances.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kelly|first=Richard Michael|title=The Andy Griffith Show|year=1981|publisher=Faber U.K.|isbn=0-89587-043-6|pages=59–60|edition=Eleventh (2002)}}</ref> He appeared in the pilot for Griffith's subsequent short-lived series, ''The New Andy Griffith Show'',<ref>{{cite news|last=Esman |first=Rachael |title=Farewell to Fife |url=http://www.houstonianonline.com/a-e/farewell-to-fife-1.387118 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707234831/http://www.houstonianonline.com/a-e/farewell-to-fife-1.387118 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |access-date=July 3, 2012 |newspaper=The Houstonian |date=February 27, 2006 |location=Huntsville, TX }}</ref> and he had a recurring role on ''Matlock'', from 1988 to 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=Griffith, Knotts Reunited|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gr1dAAAAIBAJ&pg=5050,5278324&dq=matlock+knotts|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=The Victoria Advocate|date=September 24, 1988|location=Victoria, TX|page=47}}</ref> In a January 2000 interview, Griffith said of Knotts, "The five years we worked together were the best five years of my life."<ref>{{cite book|last=de Vise|first=Daniel|title=Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic TV Show|page=247|year=2015|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|location=New York City|isbn=978-1-4767-4773-6}}</ref>

They kept in touch until Knotts's death in early 2006. Griffith traveled from his [[Manteo, North Carolina]], home to Los Angeles to visit the terminally ill Knotts at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center|Cedars-Sinai]] just before Knotts died of lung cancer.<ref>Collins, Scott (February 25, 2006). [http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/la-na-donknotts-obit,0,1063977.story?page=1 "Don Knotts, Star of 'The Andy Griffith Show,' Dead at 81 — Knotts Died Friday Night of Pulmonary and Respiratory Complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills"]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (''via'' ''[[The Morning Call]]''). Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref>

===Ron Howard===
[[File:Andy Griffith Ron Howard Andy Griffith Show 1961.JPG|thumb|Griffith & Howard in a 1961 publicity photo for ''The Andy Griffith Show'']]
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,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayberry R.F.D. {{!}} TV Guide|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/mayberry-rfd/cast/203004|access-date=2020-11-11|magazine=TV Guide|language=en}}</ref> 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 [[United States Marine Corps|US Marines]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gomer Pyle, USMC {{!}} TV Guide|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/gomer-pyle-usmc/episode-26-season-2/opie-joins-the-marines/100185|access-date=2020-11-11|magazine=TV Guide|language=en}}</ref> They co-starred in the TV special ''[[Return to Mayberry]]'' (1986),<ref name=allmovie>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/work/return-to-mayberry-41130|title=Return to Mayberry|last=Erickson|first=Hal|publisher=allmovie.com|pages=1|access-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> in which the now-adult Opie is about to become a father. They later appeared together in CBS reunion specials in 1993<ref name=1993reunion /> and 2003.<ref name=2003-reunion-a /><ref name=2003-reunion-b />  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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SNL Archives {{!}} Episode|url=https://snl.jt.org/ep.php-i=198210090.html|access-date=2020-11-11|website=snl.jt.org}}</ref>

In October 2008, Griffith and Howard briefly reprised their Mayberry roles in an [[digital video|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 Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidates [[Barack Obama]] and [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ron Howard's Call To Action|url=http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d/ron-howards-call-to-action-from-ron-howard-and-henry-winkler|publisher=FunnyorDie.com|access-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Opie and Andy stump for Obama in video |url=http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/10/24/article/opie_and_andy_on_obama_stump_for_obama_in_video |access-date=July 3, 2012 |newspaper=News & Record |date=October 24, 2008 |location=Greensboro, NC }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

After Griffith's death, Howard stated: {{blockquote|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.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Nikki Finke |url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/ron-howard-andy-griffith-remembrance-andy-griffith-show-295895/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Ron Howard On Andy Griffith |magazine=Deadline |access-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref>}}

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!'"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/ron-howard-didnt-think-tom-hanks-would-get-cast-in-splash-w448948|title=Why Ron Howard Thought Tom Hanks Had 'No Chance in Hell' of Landing a Role in 'Splash'|publisher=US.com|date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref>

==Political activities==
In 2000, Griffith appeared in a last-minute campaign commercial where he endorsed [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] candidate and then-Attorney General [[Mike Easley]] for governor of North Carolina. Easley had been locked in a tight race with former Mayor of Charlotte [[Richard Vinroot]] and had been losing his lead in the polls. Easley went on to [[2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/gallery/andy-griffiths-political-pals|title=Andy Griffith's political pals|first1=Vivyan|last1=Tran|first2=William|last2=Bergstrom|website=POLITICO|date=July 3, 2012 }}</ref>

In October 2008, Griffith appeared with [[Ron Howard]] in a [[Funny or Die]] video endorsement for [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Barack Obama's presidential campaign]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ron Howard brings back Opie for Obama|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27345627/ns/today-entertainment/t/ron-howard-brings-back-opie-obama/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821055921/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27345627/ns/today-entertainment/t/ron-howard-brings-back-opie-obama|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2012}}</ref> In addition to his endorsement of Obama, Griffith recorded a television commercial endorsing Democratic candidate [[Bev Perdue]] for governor of North Carolina the same year.<ref>Ryanteaguebeck (October 27, 2008). Griffith also recorded commercials with Ron Howard endorsing the candidacy of Barack Obama in 2008 [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/perdues_whistling_ad_from_griffith "Perdue's 'Whistling' Ad from Griffith"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204022842/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/perdues_whistling_ad_from_griffith |date=February 4, 2009 }}. (includes video; requires [[Adobe Flash]]). Blog at ''The News & Observer''. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref> He spoke at the [[inauguration]] ceremonies of both Easley in 2001 and Perdue in 2009.<ref>Johnson, Mark (January 7, 2009). [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/yes_andy_will_be_there "Yes, Andy Will Be There"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218070519/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/yes_andy_will_be_there |date=February 18, 2009 }}. Blog at ''The News & Observer''. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref><ref>Bniolet (January 10, 2009). [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/oh_the_places_youll_govern "Oh, the Places You'll Govern"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218084212/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/oh_the_places_youll_govern |date=February 18, 2009 }}. Blog at ''The News & Observer''. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref> In 1989, he declined an offer by Democratic Party officials to run against [[Jesse Helms]], a Republican [[United States Senate|Senator]] from North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Andy Griffith says he won't challenge Sen. Jesse Helms|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jpkzAAAAIBAJ&pg=6667,5571297&dq=andy+griffith+jesse+helms|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel|date=June 8, 1989|location=Lodi, CA}}</ref>

In July 2010, he also starred in advertisements about [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]].<ref>{{cite news|title=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012216-503544.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104060734/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012216-503544.html |archive-date=November 4, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harrington|first=Scott|title=Andy Griffith and Taxpayer Funded Political Ads|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sciencebiz/2010/09/24/andy-griffith-and-taypayer-funded-political-ads/|access-date=July 3, 2012|newspaper=Forbes|date=September 24, 2010|location=New York, NY}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cutter|first=Stephanie|title=Medicare and Mayberry|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2010/07/30/medicare-and-mayberry|access-date=July 3, 2012|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|date=July 30, 2010}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinfonia.org/news/SN-2012-07-03.asp |title=Brother Andy Griffith – Dead at 86 |publisher=Sinfonia.org |access-date=February 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110104316/http://www.sinfonia.org/news/SN-2012-07-03.asp |archive-date=January 10, 2013 }}</ref>

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.<ref>Ostrow, Joanne (July 6, 2012).[http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21021477/andy-griffiths-denver-based-daughter-dixie-reflects-life "Ostrow: Andy Griffith's Denver-based daughter Dixie reflects on life with Dad"] ''[[Denver Post]]''. Retrieved August 20, 2012.</ref><ref>Huffman, Dane (July 3, 2012).[http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/jul/03/andy-griffith-timeline-ar-2404865/ "Andy Griffith timeline"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130130045710/http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/jul/03/andy-griffith-timeline-ar-2404865/ |date=January 30, 2013 }} [[WNCN|NBC 17 News]]. Retrieved August 20, 2012.</ref> They divorced in 1972. Sam, a [[Real estate development|real-estate developer]], died in 1996 after years of alcoholism.<ref>Van Derbeken, Jaxon (January 18, 1996).[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ANDY+GRIFFITH%27S+SON+DIES+AFTER+BATTLING+ALCOHOLISM-a083900866 "Andy Griffith's Son Dies after Battling Alcoholism"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709122702/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ANDY+GRIFFITH%27S+SON+DIES+AFTER+BATTLING+ALCOHOLISM-a083900866 |date=July 9, 2013 }} ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'' (hosted by [[TheFreeLibrary.com]]). Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref> The senior Griffith's second wife was Solica Cassuto, a Greek actress. They were married from 1973 to 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/02/real-andy-griffith-lives-among-us-quietly |title=The real Andy Griffith lives among us, quietly |publisher=hamptonroads.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115160725/http://hamptonroads.com/2008/02/real-andy-griffith-lives-among-us-quietly |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> Griffith and Cindi Knight married on April 12, 1983, after they met while she was a cast member of ''[[The Lost Colony (play)|The Lost Colony]]''.  They remained married until Griffith's death.<ref>Strickland, Sandy. "[https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/local/2012/07/04/andy-griffiths-ties-first-coast/15862066007/ Andy Griffith's ties to the First Coast]," ''The Florida Times-Union,'' July 4, 2021. Retrieved Oct. 8, 2023.</ref> Griffith also had three granddaughters through his daughter Dixie.<ref>{{cite web | last=Ostrow | first=Joanne | title=Andy Griffith's Denver-based daughter Dixie reflects on life with Dad | website=The Denver Post | date=2012-07-06 | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/07/06/ostrow-andy-griffiths-denver-based-daughter-dixie-reflects-on-life-with-dad/ | access-date=2023-02-13}}</ref>

According to the 2015 book ''Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show'', [[Aneta Corsaut]] and the married Griffith had an [[Adultery|ongoing affair]] throughout the five years they worked together on ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''; the affair was an open secret amongst the cast and crew.<ref>{{cite book |title=Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show |first=Daniel |last=De Visé |year=2015 |pages=146–147 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4767-4773-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/andydonmakingoff0000devi/page/146/mode/2up?q=affair |access-date=2023-05-14 |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive text collection]] |url-access=limited}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news | date = May 17, 1983 | access-date = September 11, 2010 | work = The Pittsburgh Press | title = Andy Griffith in Hospital | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4RshAAAAIBAJ&pg=6074,203520&dq=guillain+barre+andy+griffith}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date = May 18, 1983 | access-date = September 11, 2010 | title = Andy Griffith recovering from Ailment
| work = Lodi News-Sentinel | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=INkzAAAAIBAJ&pg=5377,2030872
}}</ref>

On May 9, 2000, he underwent quadruple heart-[[Coronary artery bypass surgery|bypass surgery]] at [[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news |date=June 14, 2000 |work=The Tuscaloosa News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PcodAAAAIBAJ&pg=6868,2837711&dq=andy+griffith+bypass |title=Andy Griffith recovering from heart attack, bypass surgery |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

After a fall, Griffith underwent hip surgery on September 5, 2007, at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/09/15/andy_griffith_s_health_is_failing |title=Griffith has hip surgery |publisher=Starpulse.com |date=September 15, 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

On July 3, 2012, Griffith died at his [[Roanoke Island]] home in [[Manteo, North Carolina]], from a heart attack he had the day before; he was 86.<ref name="NYT_Obit">{{cite news | date = July 3, 2012 | access-date = July 3, 2012 | title =Andy Griffith, TV's Lawman and Moral Compass, Dies at 86 | author = Douglas Martin | work = [[The New York Times]] | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/arts/television/andy-griffith-actor-dies-at-86.html }}</ref><ref name = AP>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.yahoo.com/death-certificate-griffith-died-heart-attack-212157565.html |title=Death certificate: Griffith died of heart attack |publisher=News.yahoo.com |date=July 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709005831/http://news.yahoo.com/death-certificate-griffith-died-heart-attack-212157565.html |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> His death certificate listed [[hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], and [[hyperlipidemia]] as underlying health conditions.<ref name = AP/> In accordance with prior arrangements, no services were held at the time, and he was buried in a cemetery on the island within five hours of his death.<ref>{{cite news|title=Andy Griffith buried shortly after death, source says|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/03/us/north-carolina-griffith-burial/index.html |access-date=July 3, 2012|work=CNN|date=July 3, 2012|location=Atlanta, GA}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
[[File:President George W. Bush Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Actor Andy Griffith.jpg|thumb|Griffith receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from president George W. Bush (2005)]]
* [[Television Hall of Fame]] inductee (class of 1991)
* Star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]
* [[Andy Griffith Museum]]—a 2,500-square-foot (232&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) facility which houses the world's largest collection of Griffith [[memorabilia]]—opened on September 26, 2009, in Mount Airy, North Carolina<ref name=bizj>{{cite news |title=Well, I'll be: Andy Griffith Museum opens |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/01/18/daily34.html |work= [[The Business Journal]] |date=January 13, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=atlanta>{{cite news |title=Timeline: Andy Griffith |url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/entertainment/timeline-andy-griffth/nPkyG/ |work= [[Access Atlanta]] |date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=manews>{{cite news|first=Keith |last=Stange |title=Emmett Forrest, long-time Andy Griffith friend, has died |url=http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/21397392/article-Emmett-Forrest--long-time-Andy-Griffith-friend--has-died |work=[[The Mount Airy News]] |date=January 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131213821/http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/21397392/article-Emmett-Forrest--long-time-Andy-Griffith-friend--has-died |archive-date=January 31, 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album]] for ''I Love to Tell the Story – 25 Timeless Hymns'' in 1997<ref name=Grammy>{{cite web |title=Andy Griffith |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/andy-griffith/9460 |publisher=Grammy Awards |access-date=May 29, 2022}}</ref>
* Grammy Award nominations for [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Album]] (''Hamlet'' in 1960) and Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album (''Just As I Am'' in 1999)<ref name=Grammy/>
* Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1999)<ref>[http://countrygospelmusic.com/platinumheart.htm "Hall of Fame Inductees"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708194606/http://countrygospelmusic.com/platinumheart.htm |date=July 8, 2011 }}. Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref>
* A {{convert|11|mi|adj=on}} stretch of [[U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina|US Highway 52]] 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]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Andy Griffith statue unveiled in Raleigh|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ad4yAAAAIBAJ&pg=4348,9469216&dq=pullen+park+griffith|access-date=July 7, 2012|newspaper=Rome News-Tribune|date=October 29, 2003|location=Rome GA|page=7B}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Byerly|first=Wendy|title=Mount Airy starts petition drive for second Andy statue in town|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=16k_AAAAIBAJ&pg=3897,6013911&dq=andy+griffith+playhouse+statue|access-date=July 7, 2012|newspaper=The Mount Airy News|date=February 26, 2003|location=Mount Airy NC|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Griffith to unveil statue during Mayberry Days|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=chxBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6731,1467027&dq=andy+griffith+playhouse+statue|access-date=July 7, 2012|newspaper=Harlan Daily Enterprise|date=September 24, 2004|agency=Associated Press|location=Harlan KY|page=1B}}</ref>
* 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)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051109-10.html |title=Citations for Recipients of the 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom |date=November 29, 2012 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-patriotism.com/reference/pmr/pmof_2005.htm |title=USA Patriotism! ... Presidential Medal of Freedom > 2005 Recipients |publisher=Usa-patriotism.com |access-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref>
* Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2007)<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090819062030/http://hallmuseum.com/induction.htm "Listed Below are the 2007 Hall of Fame Inductees"]}}. Christian Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 14, 2010.</ref>
* [[North Carolina Music Hall of Fame]] inductee (class of 2010)<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Inductees|url=http://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/category/inductees/2010-inductees/|publisher=North Carolina Music Hall of Fame|access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref>

==Albums==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*''[[What It Was, Was Football]]'' (as Deacon Andy Griffith) on Capitol Records—EAP 1–498 (1953)
*''Destry Rides Again'' (1959 Original Broadway Cast Album, Decca Records)
*''Andy and Cleopatra'' on Capitol Records—T 2066 (1964)
*''Just for Laughs'' (1958)
*''Shouts the Blues and Old Timey Songs'' (1959) (album includes a guest appearance by [[blues]]men [[Brownie McGhee]] and [[Sonny Terry]])
*''Songs, Themes and Laughs from the Andy Griffith Show'' (1961)
*''Somebody Bigger Than You and I'' (1972)
*''American Originals'' (1993)
*''Precious Memories: 33 Timeless Hymns'' (1995)
*''I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns'' (1996)
*''Sings Favorite Old-Time Songs'' (1997)
*''Just as I Am: 30 Favorite Old Time Hymns'' (1997)
*''Wit & Wisdom of Andy Griffith'' (1998)
*''Favorite Old Time Songs'' (2000)
*''Absolutely the Best'' (2002)
*''Back to Back Hits'' (2003)
*''[[The Christmas Guest]]'' (2003)
*''Bound for the Promised Land: The Best of Andy Griffith Hymns'' (2005)
*''The Collection'' (2005)
*''Pickin' and Grinnin': The Best of Andy Griffith'' (2005)
}}

==Filmography==

===Features===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*''[[A Face in the Crowd (film)|A Face in the Crowd]]'' (1957)
*''[[No Time for Sergeants (1958 film)|No Time for Sergeants]]'' (1958)
*''[[Onionhead]]'' (1958)
*''[[The Second Time Around (1961 film)|The Second Time Around]]'' (1961)
*''[[Angel in My Pocket]]'' (1969)
*''[[Hearts of the West (1975 film)|Hearts of the West]]'' (1975)
*''[[Rustlers' Rhapsody]]'' (1985)
*''[[Spy Hard]]'' (1996)
*''[[Daddy and Them]]'' (2001)
*''The Very First Noel'' (2006) (voice)
*''[[Waitress (2007 film)|Waitress]]'' (2007)
*''[[Christmas Is Here Again]]'' – Santa Claus (2007) (voice)
*''[[Play the Game (film)|Play the Game]]'' – Grandpa Joe (2009)
}}

===Short subjects===
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*''Rowan & Martin at the Movies'' (1968)
*''What It Was, Was Football'' (1997)
*''[[Waitin' on a Woman#Music video|Waitin' on a Woman]]'' (music video by [[Brad Paisley]] featuring Griffith) (2008)
*Ron Howard's Call to Action – Video short – Andy Taylor (2008) 
}}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1955
| ''[[No Time for Sergeants (United States Steel Hour)|No Time for Sergeants]]''
| Will Stockdale
|television debut, nominated for Emmy for best program of the year
|-
| 1960
| ''[[The Danny Thomas Show|Make Room for Daddy]]''
| [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]]
| Episode: "Danny meets Andy Griffith"<br>(Andy and Opie Taylor were first introduced in season seven) (1960)
|-
| 1960–1968
| ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''
| [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Sheriff Andy Taylor]]
| 249 episodes
|-
| 1966–1968
| ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]''
| [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]]
| 2 episodes, 1 uncredited
|-
| 1968–1969
| ''[[Mayberry R.F.D.]]''
| [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]]
| 5 episodes
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Headmaster (TV series)|Headmaster]]''
| Andy Thompson
| 13 episodes
|-
| 1971
| ''[[The New Andy Griffith Show]]''
| Andy Sawyer
| 10 episodes
|-
| 1972
| ''[[The Mod Squad]]''
| George Carter
| Episode: "Big George"
|-
| 1972
| ''[[The Strangers in 7A]]''
| Artie Sawyer
| TV movie
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]''
| Arnold Lovejoy
| Episode: "I'm a Family Crook, Don't Shoot!"
|-
| 1973
| ''[[Go Ask Alice]]''
| Priest
| TV movie
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Pray for the Wildcats]]''
| Sam Farragut
| TV movie
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Winter Kill]]''
| Sheriff Sam McNeill
| TV movie
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Savages (1974 film)|Savages]]''
| Horton Madec
| TV movie
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Adams of Eagle Lake]]''
| Sheriff Sam Adams
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Bionic Woman]]'' 
| Jack Starkey
| Episode: "Angel of Mercy"
|-
| 1976
| ''Street Killing''
| Gus Brenner
| TV movie
|-
| 1976
| ''[[Six Characters in Search of an Author]]''
| The Father
| TV movie
|-
| 1976
| ''[[Frosty's Winter Wonderland]]''
| Narrator (voice)
| TV short
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Washington: Behind Closed Doors]]''
| Esker Scott Anderson
| TV mini-series, 6 episodes
|-
| 1977
| ''The Girl in the Empty Grave''
| Police Chief Abel Marsh
| TV movie
|-
| 1977
| ''Deadly Game''
| Police Chief Abel Marsh
| TV movie
|-
| 1978–1979
| ''[[Centennial (miniseries)|Centennial]]''
| Professor Lewis Vernor
| TV mini-series, 10 episodes
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Salvage 1]]''
| Harry Broderick
| 20 episodes
|-
| 1979
| ''[[From Here to Eternity (miniseries)|From Here to Eternity]]''
| General Barney Slater
| TV mini-series, 3 episodes
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]''
| Commander Robert Munroe
| TV mini-series<br>Episode: "#1.6"
|-
| 1980
| ''The Yeagers''
| Carroll Yeager
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Murder in Texas (film)|Murder in Texas]]''
| Ash Robinson
| TV movie
|-
| 1982
| ''For Lovers Only''
| Vernon Bliss
| TV movie
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Fantasy Island]]''
| Judge Roy Bean
| Episode: "Legends/The Perfect Gentleman"
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Murder in Coweta County (film)|Murder in Coweta County]]''
| John Wallace
| TV movie
|-
| 1983
| ''The Demon Murder Case''
| Guy Harris
| TV movie
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Fatal Vision (miniseries)|Fatal Vision]]''
| Victor Worheide
| TV mini-series
|-
| 1985
| ''Crime of Innocence''
| Judge Julius Sullivan
| TV movie
|-
| 1986
| ''Diary of a Perfect Murder''
| Ben Matlock
| TV movie
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Return to Mayberry]]''
| [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]]
| TV movie
|-
| 1986
| ''Under the Influence''
| Noah Talbot
| TV movie
|-
| 1986–1995
| ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]''
| Ben Matlock / Charlie Matlock
| 181 episodes
|-
| 1993
| ''[[The Andy Griffith Show#Reruns, spinoffs and reunions|The Andy Griffith Show Reunion]]''
| Himself
| TV special
|-
| 1994
| ''The Gift of Love''
| Phil Doucet
| TV movie
|-
| 1995
| ''Gramps''
| Jack MacGruder
| TV movie
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]''
| Ben Matlock
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Scattering Dad]]''
| Hiram
| TV movie
|-
| 1999
| ''[[A Holiday Romance]]''
| Jake Peterson
| TV movie
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Dawson's Creek]]''
| Andrew Lanier
| Episode: "A Winter's Tale"
|-
| 2003
| ''[[The Andy Griffith Show#Reruns, spinoffs and reunions|The Andy Griffith Show Reunion: Back to Mayberry]]''
| Himself
| TV special<ref name=usa/>
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Andy Griffith}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/g/Griffith,Andy.html Inventory of the Andy Griffith Papers, 1949–1997], in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
* {{EmmyTVLegends name|andy-griffith}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/g/andy_griffith}}
* {{EmmyTVLegends name|andy-griffith}}
* {{IMDb name|341431}}
* [https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/76833%7C12722/Andy-Griffith#overview Andy Griffith] at [[Turner Classic Movies]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041114100948/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/griffith_andy/albums.jhtml Andy Griffith Discography], at [[MTV]]

{{1991 Television Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffith, Andy}}
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