Andy Griffith is dead, former UNC president Bill Friday tells our NBC affiliate in New Bern.
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Jeremy Markovich (@deftlyinane) July 03, 2012TMZ reports that legendary actor Andy Griffith died today. He was 86.
Andy Griffith, an icon of TV, has died … this according to Andy’s close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday.
Griffith, who became famous for “The Andy Griffith Show,” passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina this morning.
Friday broke the news to WITN News in North Carolina.
Griffith also starred in “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “Matlock.” In 2005 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush.
Fans, friends and celebrities are flooding Twitter with remembrances.
Just heard that Andy Griffith died. Sad.—
Dr. Ruth Westheimer (@AskDrRuth) July 03, 2012
An iconic and wonderful actor has left us. RIP Andy Griffith~—
Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) July 03, 2012
#andygriffith was one of my faves how many times did i watch andy of mayberry and wish i could ramble down to the fishing pond?—
Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) July 03, 2012
Andy Griffith
His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life
I'm forever grateful
RIP Andy—
Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 03, 2012
My favorite Andy Griffith performance…
A Face in the Crowd
#mindblown
Rest in Peace—
LeVar Burton (@levarburton) July 03, 2012
Learned a lot from The Andy Griffith Show. Good fun. Will be missed. He was a national treasure.—
Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) July 03, 2012
RIP to my favorite actor of my favorite TV show of all time, Andy Griffith. An exceptionally talented man. I loved his work!—
John Layfield (@JCLayfield) July 03, 2012
RIP dear Andy, you brought so much enjoyment to so many of us. I will miss you!—
Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) July 03, 2012
Rest in Peace, Andy Griffith.—
Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) July 03, 2012
Andy Griffith… Truly a GREAT actor.
"A Face in the Crowd" Brilliant.
"the Andy Griffith Show" Genius.A true talent… RIP—
Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) July 03, 2012
I hear a familiar whistle up here. RIP, Andy Griffith.—
God (@TheTweetOfGod) July 03, 2012
A sad day for Mayberry. RT @BuzzFeed: "BREAKING: Andy Griffith dies at age 86"—
Steven Ertelt (@StevenErtelt) July 03, 2012
<== Heart Broken. I don't want to hear any crap about commercials RT @dmataconis Sad news RT @mpoppel: BREAKING — Andy Griffith has died—
Nels (@debitking) July 03, 2012
RIP Andy Griffith. You were never better than when you built a spaceship in your backyard. #Salvage1—
Brian Faughnan (@BrianFaughnan) July 03, 2012
Andy Griffith has died at 86. Very few actors star in a hit TV series. Griffith starred in 2. The cosmic all-stars just received a giant.—
Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) July 03, 2012
I grew up on The Andy Griffith show. It was a household favorite. A sad day for America—
Demetrius Minor (@dminor85) July 03, 2012
I often note while most sit-coms of 60s & esp. 70s fail when viewed now, the Andy Griffith Show remains as funny, charming & sweet as ever.—
John Kraft (@JohnKinATL) July 03, 2012
While conservatives disagreed with Griffith’s political leanings and didn’t care for his promotion of Obamacare, many continue to admire his television work.
Didn't like politics Andy Griffith espoused in later years, but he was a 20th Century TV-icon & symbol of Southern grace in difficult times.—
John Kraft (@JohnKinATL) July 03, 2012
Try to remember Andy Griffith as a TV icon and not as a paid Obamacare shill. #TooLate—
JP (@RileyRebel129) July 03, 2012
R.I.P., Andy Griffith. Good, long life. No fan of his politics. Huge fan of his work.—
Dave Kwiecinski (@HawkFanDave) July 03, 2012
RIP Andy Griffith. I didn't agree with your politics but you were a real good role model for years and years. Off to Mayberry in the sky—
Clint Wood (@Clinton_Wood) July 03, 2012
