Andy Griffith is best known for his starring roles in two very popular TV series, The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock.

Griffith earned a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the 1950s he became a regular on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Steve Allen Show. He was featured in the Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants" (1955) for which he received a Tony nomination, and he later appeared in the film version. His film debut was in the provocative and prophetic A Face in the Crowd, in which Griffith gave a performance that has been described as stunning.

On The Andy Griffith Show, Griffith portrayed a folksy small-town sheriff who shared simple heartfelt wisdom. The show was one of the most popular TV series in history. It generated some successful spin-offs, and the original is still seen in re-runs to this day.

Griffith created his own production company in 1972, which produced several movies and TV series. In 1981, he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal in Murder in Texas. In 1983 Griffith was stricken with Guillain-Barre syndrome, but he recovered after rehabilitation.

In 1986 he produced and starred in the very successful TV series Matlock. The show spawned numerous TV movies as well. When he accepted the People's Choice Award for this show, he said this was his favorite role.


Suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and couldn't walk for 7 months. [1983] His son, Andy Taylor Junior, died of alcoholism, in 1996. In 1987 when he accepted the People's Choice Award, he said he was happy it was for "Matlock" (1986). He said that "Matlock" (1986) was his favorite character to date. He was the Tuesday night host for CBS Radio's "Sears Mystery Theater" (1979). He was still Tuesday's host when it became "The Mutual Radio Theater" on Mutual Radio (1980). He recorded some albums of standup comedy, including one titled "Just for Laughs". Among his classic routines is "What It Was, Was Football", about a country bumpkin who witnesses his first football game. Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith's character on "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), was ranked #8 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue). Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1956, as Best Supporting of Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "No Time for Sergeants," and in 1960 as Best Actor (Musical) for "Destry Rides Again." Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush on 9 November 2005. Other recipients were Frank Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Gen. Richard Myers, Paul Rusesabagina, Carol Burnett, Aretha Franklin, Vint Cerf and his Internet codeveloper Robert Kahn, Jack Nicklaus, Alan Greenspan, and former congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery. The town of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show" is based upon Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. By the same token, the characters on the show will commonly mention the "sister city" of "Mount Pilot". Mount Pilot does exist, though it's really called Pilot Mountain, and has the same basic geographical positioning to Mt. Airy as Mayberry does to Mount Pilot. The towns in both reality and the series are about 15 miles apart. Both towns (in both universes) are north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina near the North Carolina-Virginia border. Became best friends of Don Knotts from 1955-2006. Taught English at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina for a period of time. While attending high school, he looked up Ed Mickey, who was a minister at Grace Moravian Church, who was also a brass bandleader, who taught Griffith how to play the trombone. Graduated from Mount Airy High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in 1944. His decision to end "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), in 1968, led him to a contract with Universal Studios, where he pursued a movie career. Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. His ex-"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), co-star's, Ron Howard's mother, Jean Speegle Howard, guest-starred on an episode of Griffith's second long-running show, "Matlock" (1986), in 1987. Remained good friends with Ron Howard during and after "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960). With the death of Don Knotts on February 24, 2006, he, Jim Nabors, Betty Lynn, George Lindsey, are the only 4 surviving adult cast members of "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), along with 1 surviving younger member, Ron Howard. Was/is best friends with: Don Knotts, R.G. Armstrong, Jim Nabors and Patricia Neal.