Andy Griffith is most notably recognized for his starring roles in two highly acclaimed television series, The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and Matlock (1986). Prior to his television success, Griffith earned a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In the 1950s, he became a regular on several prominent television programs, including The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) and The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1956). Griffith's theatrical career was marked by a Tony nomination for his performance in the Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants" (1955),which he later reprised in the film adaptation.
Griffith's film debut was in the thought-provoking and groundbreaking A Face in the Crowd (1957),in which he delivered a performance that has been described as stunning.
On The Andy Griffith Show (1960),Griffith portrayed a down-to-earth, small-town sheriff who shared heartfelt wisdom. The series was a massive success, generating several spin-offs, and remains one of the most popular television series in history, still airing in reruns to this day.
In 1972, Griffith founded his own production company, which went on to produce numerous films and television series. In 1981, he received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal in Murder in Texas (1981). The following year, Griffith was struck with Guillain-Barre syndrome, but made a full recovery after rehabilitation.
In 1986, Griffith produced and starred in the highly successful television series Matlock (1986),which spawned numerous television movies. When accepting the People's Choice Award for this series, Griffith stated that it was his favorite role.
Tragically, Andy Griffith passed away at the age of 86 due to a heart attack in his home in Dare County, North Carolina on July 3, 2012.
