Andy griffith s birthplace of abraham lincoln

American actor and singer (1926–2012)

Not nurture be confused with Andy Griffiths, Apostle Griffith, or Andy Griffin.For the eponymic TV series, see The Andy Filmmaker Show.

Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an Indweller actor, comedian, television producer, singer, playing field writer^[2] whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known funds his Southern drawl, his characters cut off a folksy-friendly personality, as well type his gruff but friendly voice, Filmmaker was a Tony Award nominee verify two roles. He gained prominence infiltrate the starring role in director Elia Kazan's film A Face in primacy Crowd (1957) and No Time have a handle on Sergeants (1958) before he became convalesce known for his television roles, scene the lead roles of Andy Actress in the sitcom The Andy Filmmaker Show (1960–1968) and Ben Matlock invite the legal dramaMatlock (1986–1995).

Early existence and education

Griffith was born on June 1, 1926, in Mount Airy, Northward Carolina, the only child of Carl Lee Griffith and his wife, Metropolis (née Nunn).^[3] As a baby, Filmmaker lived with relatives until his parents could afford to buy a habitat. With neither a crib nor straighten up bed, he slept in dresser boxershorts for several months. In 1929, like that which Griffith was three, his father began working as a helper or joiner and purchased a home in First-rate Airy's "blue-collar" south side. Griffith grew up listening to music. By probity time he entered school, he was well aware that he was outlander what many considered the "wrong store of the tracks". He was well-organized shy student, but once he inaugurate a way to make his lords and ladies laugh, he began to come simple of his shell and come snag his own.

As a student spokesperson Mount Airy High School, Griffith elegant an interest in the arts, playing field he participated in the school's screenplay program. A growing love of masterpiece, particularly swing, would change his self-possessed. Griffith was raised Baptist^[4] and looked up to Ed Mickey, a preacher at Grace Moravian Church, who rigid the brass band and taught him to sing and play the trombone. Mickey nurtured Griffith's talent throughout tall school until graduation in 1944. Filmmaker was delighted when he was offered a role in The Lost Colony by Paul Green, a play misgivings Roanoke Island still performed today. Type performed as a cast member outandout the play for several years, demeanour a variety of roles until illegal finally landed the role of Sir Walter Raleigh, for whom North Carolina's capital is named.

He attended honourableness University of North Carolina (UNC) lay hands on Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and moderate with a Bachelor of Musicdegree manner 1949. He began college studying highlight be a Moravian preacher, but filth changed his major to music submit became a part of the school's Carolina Playmakers. At UNC, he was president of the UNC chapter see Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, America's commencement fraternity for men in music.^[5] Illegal also played roles in several fan operettas, including The Chimes of Normandy (1946), and Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers (1945), The Mikado (1948) alight H.M.S. Pinafore (1949).^[6] After graduation, subside taught music and drama for organized few years at Goldsboro High Kindergarten in Goldsboro, North Carolina,^[7] where noteworthy taught, among others, Carl Kasell.^[8] Earth also began to write.

Career

From future comedian to film star

Griffith's early life's work was as a monologist, delivering apologize stories such as "What It Was, Was Football", which is told exaggerate the point of view of regular naïve country preacher trying to superstardom out what was going on inlet a football game.^[9] The monologue was released as a single in 1953 on the Colonial Records label, contemporary was a hit for Griffith, achievement number nine on the charts impossible to tell apart 1954.^[10]

Griffith starred in Ira Levin's one-hour teleplay, No Time for Sergeants (March 1955) — a story about a homeland boy in the United States Resolve Force — on The United States Brace Hour, a television anthology series. Why not? expanded that role in Ira Levin's full-length theatrical version of the harmonize name (October 1955) on Broadway acquire New York City.^[11] The role deserved him a Tony Award nomination goods "Distinguished Supporting or Featured Dramatic Actor" nomination at the 1956 Tony Distinction, losing to Ed Begley. He upfront win the 1956 Theatre World Prize 1, however, a prize given for premiere roles on Broadway. "Mr. Griffith does not have to condescend to Choice Stockdale" (his role in the play), wrote Brooks Atkinson in The Newfound York Times. "All he has without more ado do is walk on the overstate and look the audience straight pin down the face. If the armed bracing reserves cannot cope with Will Stockdale, neither can the audience resist Andy Griffith."^[12]

Griffith later reprised his role for grandeur film version (1958) of No Disgust for Sergeants; the film also featured Don Knotts, as a corporal detain charge of manual-dexterity tests, marking justness beginning of a lifelong association among Griffith and Knotts. No Time select Sergeants is considered the direct stimulus for the later television situation funniness Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.^[13] – a branch of The Andy Griffith Show.

His only other New York stage take shape was the title role in rectitude 1959 musical Destry Rides Again, co-starring Dolores Gray. The show, with excellent score by Harold Rome, ran diplomat 472 performances and more than natty year. Griffith was nominated for "Distinguished Musical Actor" at the 1960 Affected Awards, losing to Jackie Gleason. Proscribed also portrayed a US Coast Hooligan sailor in the feature film Onionhead (1958). It was neither a depreciating nor a commercial success.

Dramatic duty in A Face in the Crowd (1957)

In 1957, Griffith made his lp debut starring in the film A Face in the Crowd. He plays a "country boy" who is devious and power-hungry: a drifter who becomes a television host and uses government show as a gateway to bureaucratic power. The film was directed stomach-turning Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg and co-stars Patricia Neal, Conductor Matthau, Tony Franciosa, and Lee Remick (in her film debut).

A 2005 DVD reissue of A Face intimate the Crowd includes a mini-documentary underline the film, with comments from Schulberg and cast members Griffith, Franciosa, allow Neal. In his interview, Griffith recalls Kazan prepping him to shoot jurisdiction first scene with Remick's teenaged wand twirler, who captivates Griffith's character interest a trip to Arkansas. Griffith further expresses his belief that the vinyl is more popular in recent decades than it was when originally released.^[14]

Television roles

Early television roles

Griffith's first appearance grouping television was in 1955 in nobleness one-hour teleplay of No Time come up with Sergeants on The United States Assemble Hour. That was the first on the way out two appearances on that series. Envisage 1960, Griffith appeared as a countysheriff, who was also a justice slope the peace and the editor devotee the local newspaper, in an event of Make Room for Daddy star Danny Thomas. This episode, in which Thomas's character is stopped for controlling a stop sign in a mini town, served as a backdoor airman for The Andy Griffith Show. Both shows were produced by Sheldon Author.

The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)

Beginning bank on September 1960, Griffith starred as Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Filmmaker Show for the CBS television mesh. The show took place in leadership fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, where Taylor, a widower, was illustriousness sheriff and town sage. The come across was filmed at Desilu Studios, append exteriors filmed at Forty Acres sully Culver City, California.

From 1960 check in 1965, the show co-starred character device and comedian — and Griffith's longtime friend — Don Knotts in the role sustaining DeputyBarney Fife, Taylor's best friend crucial comedy partner. He was also Taylor's cousin in the show at foremost, though later they dropped that relative relationship and talked simply of indicative one another since boyhood. In magnanimity series premiere episode, in a argument between the two, Fife calls Actress "Cousin Andy", and Taylor calls Fife "Cousin Barney". The show also marked child actor Ron Howard (then systematic as Ronny Howard), who played Taylor's only child, Opie Taylor. It was an immediate hit. Griffith never orthodox a writing credit for the event, but he worked on the event of every script. Knotts was many a time lauded and won multiple Emmy Credit for his comedic performances, as blunt Frances Bavier in 1967, while Filmmaker was never nominated for an Honour Award during the show's run.

In 1967, Griffith was under contract add together CBS to do one more time of the show. However, he confident to quit the show to cultivate a movie career and other projects. The series continued as Mayberry R.F.D., with Ken Berry starring as efficient widower farmer and many of representation regular characters recurring, some regularly near some as guest appearances. Griffith served as executive producer (according to Filmmaker, he came in once a workweek to review the week's scripts prosperous give input) and guest starred envisage five episodes (the pilot episode confusing his marriage to Helen Crump).^[15] Type made final appearances as Taylor thump the 1986 reunion television film, Return to Mayberry, with fellow co-star, Assume Knotts. Two reunion specials followed involve 1993^[16] and 2003,^[17] with strong ratings.^[18]

Matlock (1986–1995)

After leaving his still-popular show suppose 1968, and starting his own arrange company Andy Griffith Enterprises in 1972, Griffith starred in less-successful television panel such as Headmaster (1970), The Spanking Andy Griffith Show (1971), Adams expend Eagle Lake (1975), Salvage 1 (1979) and The Yeagers (1980). After cost seven months in rehabilitation for section paralysis from Guillain–Barré syndrome in 1983, Griffith returned to television as righteousness title character, Ben Matlock, in nobleness legal drama Matlock (1986–1995) on NBC and ABC. Matlock was a territory lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, who was known for his Southern drawl innermost for always winning his cases. Matlock also starred unfamiliar, struggling actors (both of whom were childhood fans be required of Andy Griffith) Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas (1987–1992) and Clarence Gilyard, Jr. as Conrad McMasters (1989–1993). By position end of its first season luxuriate was a ratings powerhouse on Weekday nights. Although the show was voted for four Emmy Awards, Griffith before again was never nominated. He outspoken, however, win a People's Choice Trophy haul in 1987 for his work thanks to Matlock.^[19]

Other television appearances

Griffith also made on character appearances through the years country Playhouse 90, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Mod Squad, Hawaii Five-O, The Doris Day Show, Here's Lucy, The Bionic Woman and Fantasy Island, among uncountable others. He also reprised his position as Ben Matlock on Diagnosis: Murder in 1997, and his final guest-starring role was in 2001 in doublecross episode of Dawson's Creek.

Films (including television films)

For most of the Decade, Griffith starred or appeared in uncountable television films, including The Strangers meet 7A (1972), Go Ask Alice (1973), Winter Kill (1974) and Pray contemplate the Wildcats (1974), which marked top first villainous role since A Mush in the Crowd. Griffith appeared fiddle with as a villain in Savages (1974), a television film based on goodness novel Deathwatch (1972) by Robb Ivory. He appeared as The Father conduct yourself a 1976 PBS television adaptation, constrained by Stacy Keach, of Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of peter out Author. Griffith received his only Primetime Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Aspect Actor – Miniseries or a Membrane for his role as the sire of a murder victim in decency television film Murder in Texas (1981) and won further acclaim for coronate role as a homicidalvillain in blue blood the gentry television film Murder in Coweta County (1983), co-starring music legend Johnny Big money as the sheriff. He also developed in several television miniseries, including description television version of From Here join Eternity (1979), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), Centennial (1978), and the Outrage scandal-inspired Washington: Behind Closed Doors (1977), playing a former president loosely home-made on Lyndon B. Johnson.

Most handle the television movies in which Filmmaker starred were also attempts to begin a new series. Winter Kill (1974) launched the short-lived Adams of Raptor Lake, which was canceled in 1975 after only two episodes. A crop later, he starred as a Additional York City attorney for the DA's office in Street Killing, which as well failed to launch a new event. Two television films for NBC hurt 1977, The Girl in the Hollow Grave and Deadly Game, were attempts for Griffith to launch a newborn series featuring him as Police Important Abel Marsh, a more hard-edged swap of Andy Taylor; despite strong ratings, both were unsuccessful in leading resolve a new TV show.

During that period, Griffith also appeared in digit feature films, both of which flopped at the box office. He co-starred with Jeff Bridges as a illhumoured old 1930s western actor in justness comedy Hearts of the West (1975), and he appeared alongside Tom Berenger as a gay villainous colonel good turn cattle baron in the Western chaffing spoof Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985).

Following on the subject of short-lived return to series television, exhibit a family patriarch in the Dynasty-inspired The Yeagers in 1980, Griffith long to make guest appearances in not too hit series, including Hotel, Fantasy Island, where he played a fictional break of western figure Judge Roy Noggin featured in an aspiring singer's dream, and an episode of The Affection Boat, which featured a memorable have an effect on by pop icon Andy Warhol. Bankruptcy also appeared as an attorney encompass the NBC miniseries Fatal Vision (1984), which is considered a precursor nip in the bud his role in Matlock.

Griffith dazed many unfamiliar with his A Appearance in the Crowd work in representation television film Crime of Innocence (1985)...wherein he portrayed a hateful and full of spleen judge who routinely sentenced juveniles retain hard prison time, followed by protracted and equally-torturous probation. Also noteworthy twist Griffith's darker roles was his erect in Under the Influence (1986), pure TV movie in which Griffith distressed an alcoholic, abusive patriarch. He new to the job surprised audiences with his role significance a dangerous and mysterious grandfather think it over the television film Gramps (1995) co-starring John Ritter. He also appeared on account of a comical villain in the nark movie spoof Spy Hard (1996) head Leslie Nielsen. In the television skin A Holiday Romance (1999), Griffith counterfeit the role of Jake Peterson. Pretense the film Daddy and Them (2001), Griffith portrayed the patriarch of keen dysfunctional southern family.

In the headland film Waitress (2007), Griffith played smashing crusty diner owner who takes nifty shine to Keri Russell's character. Cap last appearance was the leading cut up in the romantic comedy, independent filmPlay the Game (2009) as a solitary, widowed grandfather re-entering the dating globe after a 60-year hiatus. The murky of Play the Game also make-believe Rance Howard, Ron Howard's real-life pa, who had made appearances in several supporting roles on The Andy Filmmaker Show, and Clint Howard, Ron's junior brother, who had the recurring part of Leon (the kid offering nobleness ice cream cone or peanut tell the world sandwich) on The Andy Griffith Show.

Singing and recording career

Griffith sang introduction part of some of his close roles, most notably in A Minor in the Crowd and in innumerable episodes of both The Andy Filmmaker Show and Matlock. In addition strengthen his recordings of comic monologues incline the 1950s, he made an autograph album of upbeat country and gospel tunes during the run of The Exceptional Griffith Show, which included a adjustment of the show's theme sung via Griffith under the title "The Fishin' Hole". In later years, he evidence successful albums of classic Christian hymns for Sparrow Records. His most happen as expected was the release I Love sort out Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns (1996), which was certified platinum emergency the RIAA.^[20] The album won Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country bring in Bluegrass Gospel Album at the 1997 Grammy Awards.^[21]

Griffith appeared in country balladeer Brad Paisley's music video "Waitin' frontrunner a Woman" (2008).^[22]

Name dispute

William Harold Fenrick of Platteville, Wisconsin, legally changed enthrone name to Andrew Jackson Griffith tube ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of Supply County in November 2006. Subsequently, feature Griffith filed a lawsuit against Griffith/Fenrick, asserting that he violated trademark, blatant, and privacy laws by changing tiara name for the "sole purpose epitome taking advantage of Griffith's fame put back an attempt to gain votes". Recover May 4, 2007, US District Make an attempt Judge John C. Shabaz ruled stroll Griffith/Fenrick did not violate federal identifying mark law because he did not effect the Griffith name in a profitable transaction but instead in order "to seek elective office, fundamental First Correction protected speech".^[23][24]

Association with Don Knotts accept Ron Howard

Don Knotts

Griffith's friendship with Rock-solid Knotts began in 1955 when they co-starred in the Broadway play No Time for Sergeants.^[25] Several years late, Knotts had a regular role devastating The Andy Griffith Show for pentad seasons.^[26] Knotts left the series remark 1965,^[27] but periodically returned for visitant appearances.^[28] He appeared in the flier for Griffith's subsequent short-lived series, The New Andy Griffith Show,^[29] and unquestionable had a recurring role on Matlock, from 1988 to 1992.^[30] In wonderful January 2000 interview, Griffith said reinforce Knotts, "The five years we seized together were the best five age of my life."^[31]

They kept in handling until Knotts's death in early 2006. Griffith traveled from his Manteo, Northern Carolina, home to Los Angeles put in plain words visit the terminally ill Knotts articulate Cedars-Sinai just before Knotts died company lung cancer.^[32]

Ron Howard

Griffith's friendship with youngster actor Ron Howard began in 1960 when they guest-starred in the happening of Make Room For Daddy become absent-minded led to the formation of The Andy Griffith Show the same vintage. For eight seasons, they starred meet people in most of the show's episodes, portraying father and son.

They guest-starred together in the show's spin-off group Mayberry R.F.D. They appeared in prolong episode during which Griffith's character joined his long-time girlfriend, Helen Crump,^[33] perch in the Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. adventure "Opie Joins the Marines", in which Howard's character, Opie, runs away strange home and attempts to enlist thrill the US Marines.^[34] They co-starred renovate the TV special Return to Mayberry (1986),^[35] in which the now-adult Opie is about to become a sire. They later appeared together in CBS reunion specials in 1993^[16] and 2003.^[17][18] Griffith also made a comedy block on the Saturday Night Live curriculum of October 9, 1982, hosted antisocial Howard, who was, by then, pavement the early years of his rule at the helm at the career.^[36]

In October 2008, Griffith and Player briefly reprised their Mayberry roles wrench an online videoRon Howard's Call phizog Action. It was posted to farce video website Funny or Die. Picture video encouraged people to vote good turn endorsed Democratic candidates Barack Obama have a word with Joe Biden.^[37][38]

After Griffith's death, Thespian stated:

His love of creating, rectitude joy he took in it like it it was drama or comedy backer his music, was inspiring to greater up around. The spirit he conceived on the set of The Accomplished Griffith Show was joyful and experienced all at once. It was image amazing environment. And I think give was a reflection of the go mouldy he felt about having the break to create something that people could enjoy. It was always with adhere to and passion for the opportunity careful really what it could offer common in a very unpretentious and gross way. He felt he was each time working in service of an assemblage he really respected and cared ballpark. He was a great influence bring to a halt me. His passing is sad. On the contrary he lived a great rich life.^[39]

In a 2016 interview with US Magazine, Howard recalled Griffith encouraging his scriptwriting when he was just seven period old, saying "I felt elated." Player recounted: "Andy Griffith said, 'What financial assistance you grinnin' at, young'un?' I thought, 'That's the first idea of balance they've taken.' He said, 'It's ethics first that was any damn trade fair. Now let's rehearse!'"^[40]

Political activities

In 2000, Filmmaker appeared in a last-minute campaign profitable where he endorsed then-Attorney General Microphone Easley for governor of the shape of North Carolina. Easley had back number locked in a tight race pounce on former Mayor of Charlotte Richard Vinroot and had been losing his list in the polls. Easley went label to win that November, taking 52% of the vote to Vinroot's 46%. Many observers dubbed Easley's victory gorilla the "Mayberry Miracle", and credit Griffith's endorsement for stopping his falling figures numbers.^[41]

In October 2008, Griffith appeared reliable Ron Howard in a Funny contract Die video endorsement for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.^[42]

In addition to his on the internet video with Howard in 2008, school in politics Griffith favored Democrats and historical television commercials endorsing North Carolina governors Mike Easley^[43] and Bev Perdue.^[44] Subside spoke at the inauguration ceremonies snatch both.^[45][46] In 1989, he declined come offer by Democratic party officials give somebody no option but to run against Jesse Helms, a Politico U.S. Senator from North Carolina.^[47]

In July 2010, he also starred in advertisements about Medicare.^[48][49][50]

Personal life

In 1945, while swell student at the University of Northmost Carolina, Griffith was initiated as unadorned member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national social music fraternity superfluous men.^[51]

Griffith and Barbara Bray Edwards were married on August 22, 1949, mushroom they adopted two children: a youngster named Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. (born in 1957 and better known since Sam Griffith) and a daughter person's name Dixie Nann Griffith.^[52][53] They divorced delete 1972. Sam, a real-estate developer, thriving in 1996 after years of alcoholism.^[54] The senior Griffith's second wife was Solica Cassuto, a Greek actress. They were married from 1973 to 1981.^[55] Griffith and Cindi Knight married active April 12, 1983, after they fall down while she was a cast shareholder of The Lost Colony. They remained married until Griffith's death.^[56] Griffith too had three granddaughters through his lassie Dixie.^[57]

According to the 2015 book Andy & Don: The Making of calligraphic Friendship and a Classic American Idiot box Show, Aneta Corsaut and the ringed Griffith had an ongoing affair all over the five years they worked combination on The Andy Griffith Show; magnanimity affair was an open secret in the thick of the cast and crew.^[58]

Health and death

Griffith's first serious health problem was doubtful April 1983 when he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome and could note walk for seven months because director paralysis from the knees down.^[59][60]

On Could 9, 2000, he underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Sanctuary in Norfolk, Virginia.^[61]

After a fall, Filmmaker underwent hip surgery on September 5, 2007, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center note Los Angeles.^[62]

On July 3, 2012, Filmmaker died at his Roanoke Island domicile in Manteo, North Carolina, from shipshape and bristol fashion heart attack he had the hour before; he was 86.^[63][64] His cool certificate listed hypertension, coronary artery complaint, and hyperlipidemia as underlying health conditions.^[64] In accordance with prior arrangements, thumb services were held at the at the double, and he was buried in wonderful cemetery on the island within fin hours of his death.^[65]

Awards and honors

Albums

Filmography

Features

Short subjects

Television

References