Actor Andy Griffith, whose portrayal of a small-town sheriff made “The Andy Griffith Show” one of American television’s most enduring shows, has died at his North Carolina home at age 86, the Dare County Sheriff said on Tuesday.
“At approximately 7:00 AM, July 3, 2012, Andy Griffith passed away at his home on Roanoke Island, Dare County, North Carolina.
“The Andy Griffith Show,” Monday nights on CBS, was No. 4 in the Nielsen ratings its first year and never fell below the Top 10. Far from the relaxed, gregarious, drawling Andy Taylor, Mr. Griffith was a loner and a worrier. Andrew Samuel Griffith was born in Mount Airy on June 1, 1926, the only child of Carl Lee and Geneva Nann Nunn Griffith. Mr. Linke began guiding Mr. Griffith’s career in television and nightclubs. Though reviews were mixed, Newsday declared, “There isn’t a more likable personality around than Andy Griffith.”
The pilot of “The Andy Griffith Show” was actually an episode of “The Danny Thomas Show” in February 1960. “The name isn’t Clem, its Andy, and Sheriff Andy Taylor!” Andy Griffith responds.
Sheldon Leonard, producer of Mr. Thomas’s show, intended “The Andy Griffith Show” to fit the image of its star. Griffith’s career stalled after he left the show.
