Sheriff Confirms Andy Griffith Has Died, Say Actor Has Been "Laid To Rest"

WITN ^ | July 3, 2012

[Semper911]

Former UNC President Bill Friday says Andy Griffith died this morning in Dare County. Friday, who is a close friend of the actor, confirmed that to WITN News.

Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie confirms to WITN News that an ambulance went to Andy Griffith's home at 7 a.m. this morning.

The sheriff says he is checking to get more information on the condition of the person who the ambulance was called for.

The 86-year-old Griffith lives on Roanoke Island, not far from the Lost Colony, a play he performed in right after high school.

Griffith was born in Mount Airy, and is most known for his role as "Andy Taylor" from 1960 to 1968.

[Overtaxed]

Bill Friday is still alive?

[Cincinatus]

Regardless of his personal politics, he gave us all one of the most believable, likable characters in television history. Those shows (especially the first five years, in glorious black-and-white) are still funny and lovable, even after 50 years. I still watch them on a regular basis on DVD.

R.I.P., Sheriff Taylor.

[moviefan8]

Apparently he stopped taking Vitajex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ4nqphP21k

RIP Lonesome Rhodes.

[Lazamataz]

Precisely. I don’t believe in totally dissing a communist (like Ted Kennedy or Andy Griffith) on an obituary thread, but I sure don’t have to pretend like I’m all broke up over it, either.

[CatherineofAragon]

It’s funny...everybody says the Sheriff Taylor character was so sweet and kindly. I guess that’s so. But I could never get past the look on Griffith’s face, and the expression in his eyes. He always looked shifty and downright mean to me. That affable smile looked sort of like a shark’s grin. He always creeped me out.

That said, condolences to his loved ones, and I hope he found Christ before he died.

[alancarp]

Flags in North Carolina will go to half mast - I can gar-on-tee that.

[Ezekiel]

America’s sheriff Andy Griffith dead at 86

"The Law" is dead alright, talk about timing. :-/

[Williams]

I am amazed the vitajex commercial was exactly like a viagra commercial.

Andy G brought me years of joy from Mayberry. And as Lonesome Rhodes and in No Time For Sergeants.

[txrangerette]

Tremendous talent.

He could do it all.

A natural.

An all- American on the screen.

A total mushhead leftist in real life.

RIP Sheriff Andy.

Where have you gone, Mayberry USA?

[Semper911]

I don’t care if he was a Lib. He was a great talent and will be remembered so. RIP

I feel the same way. Sheriff Taylor was a great comfort to me during a stormy childhood.

[Jakarta ex-pat]

An Unknown to at least 99 percent of the world's population.

RIP Mr.Griffith

[Perdogg]

I am sorry about Andy Griffith dying, but Arapio is “America’s Sheriff”.

[listenhillary]

yup looks like he died before he could vote for obama again

Don't bet on it.

[Mr Rogers]

He was a fine actor. He was completely believable playing Sheriff Taylor...

[YourAdHere]

Not disrespecting his accomplishments, but to this day I fail to understand why people found that show funny.

[Errant]

Andy Griffith & Don Knotts on The Today Show

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“He was one heck of an actor “

“No Time For Sergeants” is a great, very funny movie.

[P.O.E.]

RIP Andy Griffith

and RIP Mayberry USA.

[yarddog]

I think it was more entertaining than funny tho at times Don Knots and the guy who played Earnest T. Bass could be hilarious.

[Girlene]

I love reruns of the Andy Griffith show. They are still hilarious, especially the ones with Barney.

RIP, Sheriff Taylor.