TV legend Andy Griffith dies at 86

[Russ_Byth]

From TMZ

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.

In addition to starring in his show and the subsequent "Mayberry R.F.D.," Griffith was a Grammy award-winning southern gospel singer. Of course, Griffith also starred in the long-running series, "Matlock" and often made guest appearances in other shows, including "Dawson's Creek."

There's a famous statue of Andy and Opie -- played by Ron Howard -- in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005.


http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/03/andy-griffith-dies-dead/

[Neumann Sennheiser]

Andy's just gone fishin'.

[pieinthesky]

Wow... I thought this guy would live into his 100s. My condolences to his family and friends.

Sad news indeed

[Neumann Sennheiser]

One more day and he would have passed on the 4th of July; how poetic that would have been for a man who was, unarguably, an American icon.
(Side Note) Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day, July 4th, 1826, Jefferson first and then Adams later in the day. Adams almost certainly did not learn of Jefferson's passing prior to his own, owing to the distances of the time.