SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

Andy Griffith

1926-06-01 – 2012-07-03

Andy Griffith, Tony Award-nominated and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, producer, writer, director and Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer. Image taken as President George W. Bush presents him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Credit: White House photo by Paul Morse

Life & Legacy

Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, singer, and writer whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known for his Southern drawl, his characters with a folksy-friendly personality, as well as his gruff but friendly voice, Griffith was a Tony Award nominee for two roles. He gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957) and No Time for Sergeants (1958) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead roles of Andy Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968) and Ben Matlock in the legal drama Matlock (1986–1995).

Occupation & Career

film producer, singer, voice actor, musician, singer-songwriter, television actor, stage actor, film actor, screenwriter, teacher, television producer, music teacher, comedian, actor, director, writer, producer

Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Mount Airy High School

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

Presidential Medal of Freedom; Theatre World Award; North Carolina Award for Fine Arts; star on Hollywood Walk of Fame; Television Hall of Fame; Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album; North Carolina Music Hall of Fame; The Andy Griffith Show; Matlock

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album · North Carolina Award for Fine Arts · North Carolina Music Hall of Fame · Presidential Medal of Freedom · star on Hollywood Walk of Fame · Television Hall of Fame · Theatre World Award