Description:
Andy Griffith is best known for his starring roles in two very popular TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and "Matlock" (1986).
Griffith earned a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the 1950s he became a regular on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Steve Allen Show. 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. 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
Andy Griffith is best known for his starring roles in two very popular TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and "Matlock" (1986).
Griffith earned a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the 1950s he became a regular on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Steve Allen Show. 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. 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.
On "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), Griffith portrayed a folksy small-town sheriff who shared simple heartfelt wisdom. The show was one of the most popular TV series in history. It generated some successful spin-offs, and the original is still seen in re-runs to this day.
Griffith created his own production company in 1972, which produced several movies and TV series. In 1981, he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal in Murder in Texas (1981) (TV). In 1983 Griffith was stricken with Guillain-Barre syndrome, but he recovered after rehabilitation.
In 1986 he produced and starred in the very successful TV series "Matlock" (1986). The show spawned numerous TV movies as well. When he accepted the People's Choice Award for this show, he said this was his favorite role.
Trade Mark:
Commonly plays the accoustic guitar and sings folk or gospel songs
Most all of his characters have a folksy, friendly personality
Often recounts classic stories and histories with a folksy point of view. These include: Romeo & Juliet, Cleopatra, and Christopher Colombus discovering America
Trivia:
Suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and couldn't walk for 7 months. [1983]
His son, Andy Griffith Jr., died of alcoholism, in 1996.
His two children, Andy Griffith Jr. and Dixie Griffith, were from his first of three wives, Barbara Griffith, as they decided to be parents, by adoption.
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.
On May 9, 2000, he successfully underwent a quadruple bypass surgery.
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).
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.
He recorded some albums of standup comedy, including one titled "Just for Laughs". Among his classic routines is "What It Was, Was Football", about a country bumpkin who witnesses his first football game.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 195-196. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
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.
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."
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.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush on Tuesday November 9th, 2005. Other recipients were Frank Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Gen. Richard Myers, Paul Rusesabagina, Carol Burnett, Aretha Franklin, Vint Cerf and his Internet co-developer Robert Kahn, Jack Nicklaus, Alan Greenspan, and former congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.
Was on same stage with Elvis Presley in "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show" (1956). 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.
The town of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show" is based upon Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. By the same token, the characters on the show will commonly mention the "sister city" of Mount Pilot. Mount Pilot does exist, but it's true name is Pilot Mountain, and has the same basic geographical positioning to Mt. Airy as Mayberry does to Mount Pilot. The towns in both reality and the series are about 15 miles apart. Both towns (in both universes) are north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina near the North Carolina and Virginia state borders.
Best known by the public for his starring roles as Andy Taylor in "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and the title character in "Matlock" (1986).
He and Don Knotts were best friends from 1955 to Friday, February 24th, 2006, when Don Knotts lost his life.
Actors Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. were said to be huge fans of their mentor's first series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), as little children. Years later, all grown up, they both auditioned and won the roles alongside him on "Matlock" (1986), within a couple years of each other. Stafford replaced Linda Purl in 1987, and Gilyard replaced Kene Holliday in 1989.
Taught English at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina for a period of time.
Before Andy's parents had purchased a house, he lived with relatives. Without a crib or bed, Andy slept in drawers for a few months, just a couple of years after he was born.
While attending high school, he looked up Ed Mickey, who was a minister at Grace Moravian Church, who was also a musical band leader, in the brass instruments, Ed Mickey taught Andy Griffith how to play the trombone, successfully.
Before becoming an actor, he was a comedian and a singer.
Graduated from Mount Airy High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in 1944.
His characters had driven 2 separate Ford automobiles on both of his shows: "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and "Matlock" (1986).
His decision to end "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), in 1968, led him to a contract with Universal Studios, where he pursued a movie career.
After a fall, he underwent successful hip surgery, on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007.
Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007.
At least 5 actors and actresses named him as their favorite actor or comedian: Jack Dodson, Aneta Corsaut, Betty Lynn, Arlene Golonka and Don Knotts, all guest starred with him on "Matlock" (1986).
Longer running show and more popular "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), Ron Howard co-stared as his son, Opie Taylor. Ron Howard's biological mother, Jean Speegle Howard, guest-starred in one episode of Griffith's second long-running show, "Matlock" (1986), in 1987.
Has a long association with ex-"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) co-star, Ron Howard, before and after the show's cancellation. Howard guest-starred on an episode of Griffith's short-lived series, "Headmaster" (1970) in 1970, and he hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in 1982, when Andy made a surprised appearance as Andy Taylor.
Remained good friends with Ron Howard during and after "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960).
Remained good friends with Clarence Gilyard Jr. and Daniel Roebuck throughout "Matlock" (1986), before the creation and after it was canceled.
With the death of Don Knotts, on Friday, February 24, 2006, he, 'Jim Nabors (I)', Betty Lynn, George Lindsey, are the only 4 surviving adult cast members of "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), along with youngest surviving member, Ron Howard.
Future actor and news journalists, Randolph Mantooth, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were all said to be huge fans of his, as they were growing up.
A friend of Don Knotts, Dick Van Dyke, Dick Van Patten and wife Joyce Van Patten, Jack Dodson, Danny Thomas, Betty Lynn, Aneta Corsaut, Arlene Golonka, R.G. Armstrong, Jim Nabors and Patricia Neal.
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.
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.
Andy recorded a speaking role in the Brad Paisley song "Waitin' on a Woman" about a old man imparting romantic advice to Brad. Griffith played the role for an accompanying music video.
Unlike Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason, Griffith disliked the idea of using a studio audience for his own sitcom, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), because he felt it would give him and his co-stars pressure to deliver their one-liners, so the series was filmed almost like a movie allowing for the actors to have quiet scenes and for the fictional town of Mayberry to feel like a real place.
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Tags: Born 1926 (3), Died 2012 (3), American (2), Drama (1), Comedy (1), Movies (1), Television (1), Broadway (1), T.v. (1), Actor (1), Icon (1), Died Aged 86 (1), Medically Rejected For Military Service (1)
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