Andy Griffith dies at age 86

[MrsJrotax101]

Andy Griffith dies at age 86​

Beloved actor Andy Griffith died this morning.

Former UNC President Bill Friday says The Andy Griffith Showand Matlock actor died at his home in Dare County, North Carolina around 7 a.m.

Friday, who is a close friend of the actor, confirmed the news toWITN News.

Emergency medical crews responded to Griffith's home this morning, Dare County Sheriff J.D. Doughtie told WAVY.com.

Griffith, who was born in Mt. Airy, N.C., was launched to fame as Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show for the CBS from 1960-1968. On the show, Ron Howard played his son, Opie. He starred on other shows and in films, but found his greatest success again with legal drama Matlock, from 1986 to 1995. He played the title character, Ben Matlock.

In 2000, Griffith underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery and in 2007 had hip surgery after a fall.

Griffith and his first wife, Barbara Bray Edwards, married in 1949. They were divorced in 1972 and she got custody of their daughter Dixie and he got custody of son Sam, who died in 1996 after years of alcoholism. His second marriage, to Greek actress Solica Cassuto, lasted eight years, from 1973 to 1981.

He and Cindi Knight were married on April 12, 1983, when she was 27 and he was 56. A private man, he told the Virginian-Pilot in 2008 in a lengthy profile by Mal Vincent that he's friendly and outgoing to a point, but has been known to turn down requests for autographs.

"When my wife, Cindi, and I go somewhere and we don't want to be recognized. She says, 'Don't talk.' "

Article from: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/07/andy-griffith-dies-at-age-86/1

 

[KennyGS]

Griffith, who was born in Mt. Airy, N.C., was launched to fame as Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show for the CBS from 1960-1968. On the show, Ron Howard played his son, Opie.

This is what I'll always think of, when I remember him. Damn, now I can't get that whistling out of my head.

R.I.P. Andy

 

[webby]

The body of Andy Griffith, a North Carolina native and actor who for years won over audiences with his folksy appeal, was buried Tuesday morning less than five hours after he died. He passed away at around 7 a.m. ET at his home on Roanoke Island, authorities reported.

At the request of his family, Griffith's body was lowered into a grave on the island at about 11:30 a.m. ET, according to a funeral spokesperson who declined to be named, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

"It had been planned for some time," said the spokesperson, who declined to reveal where on the island the body was buried.
"This was the wish of his family."

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less than 5hrs later?

this is how I always picture him ^^
rip

 

[MrsJrotax101]

Dang..the body was probably still warm o_0

 

[07TLX]

R.I.P still cannot believe that quick of a turnaround thou

 

[KennyGS]

Maybe was done hurriedly to maintain confidentiality?

 

[webby]

who declined to reveal where on the island the body was buried. "This was the wish of his family."

I guess I still don't really get it... he's going to have an unmarked grave for some reason? Family doesn't want people to visit his grave site?

 

[KennyGS]

Maybe it's marked, but not saying where? Private property?

 

[webby]

didn't really think about private property. Still begs the question of why so fast - especially if they could bury him on private property. Hope the family/relatives were all ok with that.

 

[ridethesky84]

R.I.P.