Biography for
Andy Griffith (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

1 June 1926, Mount Airy, North Carolina, USA

Birth Name

Andy Samuel Griffith

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Andy Griffith is best known for his starring roles in two very popular TV series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and "Matlock" (1986).

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 (1957), in which Griffith gave a performance that has been described as stunning.

On "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), 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 (1981) (TV). 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" (1986). 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.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Roger Burns

Spouse

Cindi Knight	(2 April 1983 - present)
Solica Cassuto	(11 June 1975 - 1981) (divorced)
Barbara Griffith	(26 August 1949 - 1972) (divorced) 2 children

Trade Mark

Commonly plays the accoustic guitar and sings folk or gospel songs.

Most all of his characters have a folksy, friendly personality.

Trivia

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" (1986). He said that "Matlock" (1986) 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 where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music in 1949. He originally attended school to study to be a Moravian preacher before he changed his major. His social life in college included: President of UNC Men's Glee Club and membership in Alpha Rho Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the US' oldest music fraternity for men.

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" (1960), 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.

Was on same stage with Elvis Presley in "The Steve Allen Show" (1956).

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.

Best known by the public for his starring roles as Andy Taylor in "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and the title character in "Matlock" (1986).

Became best friends of Don Knotts from 1955-2006.

Actors Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. were said to be huge fans of their mentor's first series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), as little children. Years later, they both auditioned and won the roles alongside him on "Matlock" (1986), within a couple years of each other. Stafford replaced Linda Purl in 1987, and Gilyard replaced Kene Holliday in 1989.

Taught English at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina for a period of time.

Before Andy's parents had purchased a house, he lived with relatives. Without a crib or bed, Andy slept in drawers for a few months, just a couple of years after he was born.

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.

Before he was an actor, he was a comedian and a singer.

Graduated from Mount Airy High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in 1944.

His characters had driven 2 separate Ford automobiles on both of his shows: "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) and "Matlock" (1986).

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.

After a fall, he underwent hip surgery. [September 5, 2007].

Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007.

At least 5 actors named him as their favorite actor or comedian: Jack Dodson, Aneta Corsaut, Betty Lynn, Arlene Golonka and Don Knotts, all guest starred with him on "Matlock" (1986).

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.

Has a long association with ex-"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960) co-star, Ron Howard, before and after the show's cancellation. Howard guest-starred on an episode of Griffith's short-lived series, "The Headmaster" (1970) in 1970, and he hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in 1982, when Andy made a surprised appearance as Andy Taylor.

Remained good friends with Ron Howard during and after "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960).

Remained good friends with Clarence Gilyard Jr. and Daniel Roebuck during and after "Matlock" (1986).

With the death of Don Knotts on February 24, 2006, he, Jim Neighbors, Betty Lynn, George Lindsey, are the only 4 surviving adult cast members of "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), along with 1 surviving youngest member, Ron Howard.

Personal Quotes

[on his off-camera relationship with Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee] There was just something about me she did not like.

[How he valued Don Knotts as an actor/best friend]: I loved Don. There was no one like him.

[For making Chapel Hill, his hometown proud]: I am proud of my connections to Carolina and pleased to know that some results from a lifetime of work on television, film, stage and recordings will have a permanent home in Chapel Hill.

I was baptized alongside my mother when I was 8 years old. Since then, I have tried to walk a Christian life, ... And now that I'm getting older, I realized that I'm walking even closer with my God.

I still play that guitar. It's a Martin D-18 with a clear pick guard. I've played that guitar on and off my TV shows for nearly 50 years.

[When he used a televangelist as his model]: I did an impression of Oral Roberts, and near the end, I took Elia Kazan's head in my hands, and I healed him, I walked out of that restaurant with the part.

[On filming a 2-part "Matlock" (1986) episode in his hometown]: During all the years of the old Griffith show I tried to talk them into filming something in North Carolina, but they said, 'Why? They already think you're in North Carolina anyway.'

[On being released from Universal Studios - while being typecast as Andy Taylor]: I wanted to prove that I could play something else, but there were 249 episodes out there of 'Mayberry,' and it was aired every day. It was hard to escape.

If you think and feel what you're supposed to think and feel, hard enough, it'll come out through your eyes - and the camera will see it.

Where Are They Now

(January 2003) Retired and living in Manteo, North Carolina.

(2003) Released Christmas CD of songs/stories.

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