Andy Griffith, an icon of TV, has died ... this according to Andy's close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday.

Griffith, who became famous for "The Andy Griffith Show," passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina this morning.

Friday broke the news to WITN News in North Carolina.

In addition to starring in his show and the subsequent "Mayberry R.F.D.," Griffith was a Grammy award-winning southern gospel singer. Of course, Griffith also starred in the long-running series, "Matlock" and often made guest appearances in other shows, including "Dawson's Creek."

There's a famous statue of Andy and Opie -- played by Ron Howard -- in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/0...dies-dead/

R.I.P.

His show was as much a part of my childhood as it was for my brothers in the '60s. RIP we'll miss you. Another legend out of North Carolina.

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R.I.P. Andy Griffith

Thank you for the decades of charm and setting the standard for being a Southern Gentleman.

I didn't really appreciate the breadth of his talents until I saw A Face in the Crowd. Griffith blew me away in that film.

RIP

^ He really was... the guy knew how to bring the drama and also comedy (he was the straight man to Don Knotts' zany character). Too many good memories associated with those two. Now they're entertaining the angels in heaven.

Awwww shit...

he did some funny stand up too...

[Edited 7/3/12 10:05am]

Timmy84 said:

^ He really was... the guy knew how to bring the drama and also comedy (he was the straight man to Don Knotts' zany character). Too many good memories associated with those two. Now they're entertaining the angels in heaven.

Just lovely.

RIP Mr. Griffith.

awwwww no. r.i.p mr. griffith and thanks for everything

Not Matlock!!!

Stymie said:

Not Matlock!!!

Man all those nights I stay up on Saturday just to watch Matlock. Memories.

Again rest in peace Andy!

Awww, sad.

RIP

RIP! Thanks for being a big part of the tv landscape.

RIP - they are mourning in Mayberry today.

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Rest In Peace, Mr. Griffin

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SAd to hear about this, he was indeed a great person. The reason his show endures as a classic is because of its intelligence and the talents of the actors. GOD bless to his family.

My mother and grandmother loved him so much, they named me after him.

meltwithu said:

Jul 3, 12:52 PM Share BREAKING NEWS: Andy Griffith -- Already Buried Andy Griffith only passed away a few hours ago -- but TMZ has learned, the Hollywood icon has already been buried.A rep for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, North Carolina tells us, Andy was buried at 11:30 AM on his family farm on Roanoke Island. We're told Andy had previously requested to be buried immediately after his death ... so that's why it all happened so fast.We made calls to find out if Andy was embalmed. No one was talking, but we're told it's legal in North Carolina to bury people without embalming them.We're told Andy's burial followed a small, private service with close friends and family in attendance.Andy was 86.

Well talk about speedy.

meltwithu said:

Jul 3, 12:52 PM Share BREAKING NEWS: Andy Griffith -- Already Buried Andy Griffith only passed away a few hours ago -- but TMZ has learned, the Hollywood icon has already been buried.A rep for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, North Carolina tells us, Andy was buried at 11:30 AM on his family farm on Roanoke Island. We're told Andy had previously requested to be buried immediately after his death ... so that's why it all happened so fast.We made calls to find out if Andy was embalmed. No one was talking, but we're told it's legal in North Carolina to bury people without embalming them.We're told Andy's burial followed a small, private service with close friends and family in attendance.Andy was 86.

That's exactly how I wanna be buried! My parents too. Fuck funerals. What a way to go out.

meltwithu said:

Jul 3, 12:52 PM Share BREAKING NEWS: Andy Griffith -- Already Buried Andy Griffith only passed away a few hours ago -- but TMZ has learned, the Hollywood icon has already been buried.A rep for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, North Carolina tells us, Andy was buried at 11:30 AM on his family farm on Roanoke Island. We're told Andy had previously requested to be buried immediately after his death ... so that's why it all happened so fast.We made calls to find out if Andy was embalmed. No one was talking, but we're told it's legal in North Carolina to bury people without embalming them.We're told Andy's burial followed a small, private service with close friends and family in attendance.Andy was 86.

Bless his soul...we shared the same birthdate, June 1st.

I know that we Gems like doing things quickly but, wow!

"The Andy Griffith Show", music, and the Los Angeles Dodgers...

...three things that always brought me and my father together.

I watched reruns of that show religiously as a kid and still do when they show on TVLand (and there had better be a marathon this weekend!!).

I miss him already...but he and Barney are now policing the heavens, along with sometimes deputy Goober.

Wonder if Andy will let Barney load his pistol now instead of carrying the bullet in his pocket.

I really, REALLY loved Andy Griffith, and am so sad he's gone. I had never forgotten that he was still alive (...like some older stars that you thought had died already), and will never forget him now that he's gone. I think he was a good soul. May he be resting peacefully.

Why no sticky for him?

GetAwayFromMe said:

Why no sticky for him?

GetAwayFromMe said:

Why no sticky for him?

More importantly - why no EMMY for hm?

DiminutiveRocker said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

Why no sticky for him?

More importantly - why no EMMY for hm?

Really??