Updated: Tue 10:16 AM, Jul 03, 2012 BREAKING NEWS: Friend Says Andy Griffith Has Died 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. Friday tells us the 86-year-old actor died at his Dare County home around 7:00 a.m. this morning. Griffith attended UNC Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in Music. According to IMDb.com, Griffith was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show in the 1950's.