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 two children are adopted. His son died of alcoholism in 1996. Two children, Andy and Dixie, from his first marriage to 'Barbara Edwards' In 1987 when he accepted the People's Choice Award, he said he was happy it was for Matlock. He said that Matlock was his favorite character to date. 9 May 2000 - Underwent a quadruple bypass. 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). Attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national music fraternity. 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. Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 195-196. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387 Andy Taylor, Griffith's character on The Andy Griffith Show, was ranked #8 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue]. Recorded a gospel album called "I Love To Tell The Story" in 1996 that became a hit and won a Grammy. 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." During a 1959 performance of the Broadway musical "Destry Rides Again", in which Griffith starred opposite Dolores Gray, a small fire broke out backstage at the Imperial Theater. Although it was put out within a few minutes time, without causing any major damage, just enough smoke drifted toward the stage that there could have been a panic had not Griffith and Gray continued on with the scene as though nothing was happening. For their bravery, they were rewarded by the audience that night with a standing ovation and by the New York City Fire Comissioner with citations for heroism. He and Marilyn Monroe were born on the same day, June 1, 1926. 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.