Andy Griffith's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) The Andy Griffith Show Sheriff And… Matlock Benjamin Ma… Centennial Professor L… The New Andy Griffith Show Andy Sawyer Mayberry R.F.D. Andy Taylor Pioneers of Television Andy Griffith Salvage 1 Harry Brode… The Headmaster Andy Thompson The Yeagers Carroll Yea…

Main Movie Roles 2009 - Play the Game 2007 - Christmas Is Here Again 2007 - Waitress 2001 - Daddy and Them 1996 - Spy Hard 1985 - Rustlers' Rhapsody 1958 - No Time For Sergeants 1957 - A Face in the Crowd

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.


TRIVIA:

• Best known by the public for his starring roles as Andy Taylor in _"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960)_ (qv) and the title character in _"Matlock" (1986)_ (qv).
• Has a long association with ex-_"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960)_ (qv) co-star, 'Ron Howard (I)' (qv), before and after the show's cancellation. Howard guest-starred on an episode of Griffith's short-lived series, _"The Headmaster" (1970)_ (qv) in 1970, and he hosted _"Saturday Night Live" (1975)_ (qv) in 1982, when Andy made a surprised appearance as Andy Taylor.
• At least 5 actors named him as their favorite actor or comedian: 'Jack Dodson' (qv), 'Aneta Corsaut' (qv), 'Betty Lynn' (qv), 'Arlene Golonka' (qv) and 'Don Knotts' (qv), all guest starred with him on _"Matlock" (1986)_ (qv).
• 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.
• Was on same stage with 'Elvis Presley' (qv) in _"The Steve Allen Show" (1956)_ (qv).
• Taught English at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina for a period of time.
• Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007.
• Andy Taylor, Griffith's character on _"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960)_ (qv), was ranked #8 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].