Actor Andy Griffith, the man who played folksy Sheriff Andy Taylor in the fictional town of Mayberry, has died at the age of 86, Sheriff J.D. "Doug" Doughtie of Dare County, North Carolina, said Tuesday.
Griffith died at about 7 a.m. at his home on Roanoke Island, the sheriff said in a statement. The statement did not provide a cause of death.
iReport: Share memories of Griffith
Best known for his role on "The Andy Griffith Show," the actor also starred as a murder-solving Southern attorney in the television series "Matlock" during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also known for his roles in movies and on the stage, as a producer and as a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer.
Ron Howard, who played Taylor's son, Opie Taylor, on "The Andy Griffith Show," said he is "forever grateful" to the actor.
"His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life," Howard said on Twitter.
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Such a wonderful character and actor. Need more like him on TV today!
The man u would want for a dad or grandfather, tough but fair. The one with morals and love to spare.
My absolute favorite tv character of all time! Love the episode when opie shot the sparrow with his new sling shot. We'll all miss you Andy!!!
Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod were the names of the baby birds. Sad he's gone ...
Simple but solid, fair but open to debate, thoughtful stories that are timeless when it comes to right and wrong. Another bright star will be shining in the night skies tonight!
NOW who will keep Mayberry safe?!
Matlock loved his hot dogs.
Romney vs. Frankenstein (Obama)
Put simply, better the devil you don't know. Vote Romney.
Our family loved The Andy Griffith Show. But Matlock was truly our favorite. My daughters (28 & 20) even watches re-runs of Matlock every chance they get. Another good person we have 2 say goodbye to.
The Andy Griffith Show what a great show takes u back to a much simpler time in life still love the reruns
We loved the Andy Griiffith Show – We are grateful to have been able to visit the Mount Airy home of Andy and experience the pork-chop sandwich in town at Snappy's in Mounty Airy, NC. May the family find peace and comfort knowing that Andy touched many lives. God Bless!
Awwww....
RIP, Andy.
You brought great joy to many.
A great American has passed on. A true Son of the South
Will be truly missed. One of he greats.
For those who had a chance to actually experience a Mayberry universe , even when Mayberry was first broadcast it was more an epitaph to days gone by, we vould relate to dusty roads, a grandma that looked and acted like a grandma, police that were more jonest and practical who were respected for who and what they were and why they wore a badge.
Mr. Griffith was a modern man, one of the better ones for sure, but one of the lucky ones for he gets to leave a double legacy behind, the person he was and of a mystical, but not completly mythical, of Mayberry R.F.D.
Thank You, Mr. Griffith
Andy:
You made Barney...
The Best,
Hope