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.

[tapatio]

What his political leanings were in life didn’t shape what I loved about the show as a child.The realities of grown up life did not erase those memories of a more innocent time.My condolences go out to his family and friends.RIP.

[wally_bert]

I never really found the AG show all that funny either.

[mkjessup]

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

Oh he'll be voting for 0bama again, no question.

[greene66]

It didn’t matter to me much that he was a both a big lib and a miserable creep in real life. That’s often the case, and “The Andy Griffith Show” was an absolute gem of a series, which has more than stood the test of time.

However, when Griffith actually went out and started promoting Obamacare in those commercials, that was a bridge too far. He made himself an enemy of American liberty and freedom right then and there. I haven’t been able to stand seeing his face on television ever since, without abject disgust.

[TMA62]

My favorite Andy Griffith movie. The scene with the “saluting” toilets in the latrine still cracks me up!

RIP and prayers to his family.

[wtc911]

Agreed...more cringing than laughing.

[Jack Hydrazine]

[after Will has spent all night cleaning the latrine, Sgt. King is amazed at how beautiful it is]

Sergeant King: Wait 'til the Captain sees this. Why he inspects this place like it was an operating room where somebody was gonna cut out his heart. Never in your life have you seen such a guy for stickin' his head right down into things.
[looks at the commodes]
Will Stockdale: You figure he'll like what I done?
Sergeant King: He'll be a new man. Will, uh, how would you like to be Permanent Latrine Orderly?
Will Stockdale: Permanent Latrine Orderly?
Sergeant King: P.L.O.
Will Stockdale: Gol-lee!
-No Time For Sergeants (1955[tv], 1958[film])

[End Times Sentinel]

I seem to remember an episode where a black family walked into town looking for help when their car broke down on the way to Mount Pilot.
Unfortunately their arrival coincided with Otis The Drunk going missing. Sheriff Taylor proceeded to whip the populace into a frenzy with unsubstantiated claims that the family had murdered Otis despite the calls for calm by Deputy Fife. In the ensuing pandemonium, the innocent family was lynched.
It was later discovered that Otis had simply passed out on the fishing dock.

[ronniesgal]

just cause he is dead doesn’t mean he won’t vote.

[midnightcat]

I had heard noises about that too (how he treated fans), but I am not sure if that it true or not. I don’t run into celebrities in my “normal” life :)

[Jonty30]

Im sure its just a coincidence that Obamacare has passed and an old man died.

Pretty sure anyway.

[BelegStrongbow]

The role that fits his real persona was the lead in ‘A Face in the Crowd’.

[Girlene]

Sheriff Andy Taylor On The American Revolution

Andy Griffith - Romeo & Juliet lol....one of my favorites.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I loved that show. RIP Andy!!

[nonsporting]

you beat me to it! if the dead can be elected, why cant they vote?

[onedoug]

RIP Lonesome Rhodes.

[Biggirl]

RIP Andy Griffth.

[Biggirl]

Let’s not drag politics in this.

[Timber Rattler]

He was one heck of an actor and I mean serious actor, not just a comedian.

Yeah, he was downright evil as John Wallace in Murder in Coweta County.

[floralamiss]

Andy was a Democrat. Some Democrats are wicked, some are naive, and some are stupid. I know Andy was not stupid, nor do I believe he was wicked. That leaves naive and easily led.

In the end, we must not sit in judgement of another soul and the contributions, virtues and failings of its entire life. God will do that.

What we do know is, the best of Andy Griffith was his extraordinary talent. Few portrayals of insanity can match his as the malignant narcissist turned monstrous demagogue, “Larry ‘Lonesome Rhodes’”, in a “Face in the Crowd”. It was a good movie, and his character was seductive and truly horrifying.

Andy then turned it around 180 degrees in “No Time for Sergeants”, and “The Andy Griffith Show”. No matter how unlike the character of “Andy Taylor” he was, he passed down to generations of children (and adults) worldwide, the calm and loving wisdom of the traditional, conservative American father. After 50 years, the show is still popular, and for some children, Andy will remain the only exemplary male model they’ll ever “know”.

God bless you, Andy Griffith, and may you rest in peace.