Andy Griffith

Graduated from Mount Airy High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina in 1944.

Attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music in 1949. He originally attended school to study to be a Moravian preacher before he changed his major.His social life in college included: President of UNC Men's Glee Club and membership in Alpha Rho Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the US' oldest music fraternity for men.

In the 1950s, he became a regular on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) and The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1951).

Was on same stage with Elvis Presley in The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1951). It was Steve Allen's second show, after Allen piloted his debut, with more popular celebrities, Bob Hope, and others were in the debut and pilot, the previous week, and Allen's show skyrocketed in popularity.

He played the same character (Sheriff Andy Taylor) on four different series: The Danny Thomas Show (1953), The Andy Griffith Show (1960), Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964) and Mayberry R.F.D. (1968).

He was featured in the Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants" (1955) for which he received a Tony nomination, and he later appeared in the film version.

Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1956, as Best Supporting of Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "No Time for Sergeants," and in 1960 as Best Actor (Musical) for "Destry Rides Again."

His film debut was in the provocative and prophetic A Face in the Crowd (1957), in which Griffith gave a performance that has been described as stunning.

During a 1959 performance of the Broadway musical "Destry Rides Again", in which Griffith starred opposite Dolores Gray, a small fire broke out backstage at the Imperial Theater. Although it was put out within a few minutes time, without causing any major damage, just enough smoke drifted toward the stage that there could have been a panic had not Griffith and Gray continued on with the scene as though nothing was happening. For their bravery, they were rewarded by the audience that night with a standing ovation and by the New York City Fire Comissioner with citations for heroism.

Andy Griffith is best known for his starring roles in two very popular television series, The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and Matlock (1986). Griffith earned a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

On The Andy Griffith Show (1960), Griffith portrayed a folksy small-town sheriff who shared simple heartfelt wisdom. The series was one of the most popular television series in history. It generated some successful spin-offs, and the original is still seen in reruns to this day.

Griffith created his own production company in 1972, which produced several movies and television series.

He was the Tuesday night host for CBS Radio's "Sears Mystery Theater" (1979). He was still Tuesday's host when it became "The Mutual Radio Theater" on Mutual Radio (1980).

In 1981, he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal in Murder in Texas (1981).

In 1983, Griffith was stricken with Guillain-Barre syndrome, but he recovered after rehabilitation.

In 1986, he produced and starred in the very successful television series Matlock (1986). The series spawned numerous television movies as well. When he accepted the People's Choice Award for this series, he said this was his favorite role.

In 1987, when he accepted the People's Choice Award, he said he was happy it was for Matlock (1986). He said that Matlock (1986) was his favorite character to date.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 195-196. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

His son, Andy Griffith Jr.., died of alcoholism, in 1996.

Griffith's album, "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns" won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

On May 9, 2000, he successfully underwent a quadruple bypass surgery.

Andy Griffith's longest and most popular character role of Andy Taylor, on The Andy Griffith Show (1960), was ranked at number 8 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time", in Sunday, June 20th, 2004's issue.

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush on Tuesday November 9th, 2005. Other recipients were Frank Robinson, Muhammad Ali, General Richard Myers, Paul Rusesabagina, Carol Burnett, Aretha Franklin, Vint Cerf and his Internet co-developer Robert Kahn, Jack Nicklaus, Alan Greenspan, and former congressman Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery.

He and Don Knotts were best friends from 1955 to Friday, February 24, 2006, when Don Knotts died.

After a fall, he underwent successful hip surgery, on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007.

After his role on Play the Game (2009), he retired from acting at age 83.

In 2010, he appeared in a series of TV commercials advocating for the Health Care Reform bill proposed by President Barack Obama. The commercials were withdrawn after Griffith received hundreds of death threats from opponents of the bill.

Andy Griffith died on July 3, 2012, at age 86, and just 5 days before Ernest Borgnine, who died at age 95.