Andy Griffith Dies, Friend Reports

Andy Griffith has died, a friend of the actor has confirmed to media.

Andy Griffith was attended to by paramedics this morning at his North Carolina home, UNC president Bill Friday told press. And while details of what may have ailed the Andy Griffith show star are currently scant, Friday said the actor subsequently passed away.

Local site WAVY.com reports:

“Friday, a close friend of Griffith’s confirmed his death to WITN. He said Griffith’s secretary called him Tuesday morning and said Griffith passed away at 7 a.m.

Several WAVY News 10 viewers in the Dare County area said the call went out shortly after 7 a.m. Officials have not released the nature of that call.”

Griffith was an American icon, known first and foremost for his role as the widowed sheriff of Mayberry, Andy Taylor, on the Andy Griffith Show. The massive hit was a sitcom staple through the 1960s, and Griffith went on to work even in his later years, starring again as the titular character on Matlock.

In later years, Andy Griffith spoke to the New York Times about his experience on the Andy Griffith Show, as E! quotes:

“We—everyone one on the show—have a real sense of community, of kindness, toward one another,” Griffith told The New York Times in 1965. “The basic rule by which we live comes through…the kindness comes through.”

Friday confirmed to press that paramedics were summoned to Griffith’s home on Roanoke Island, and that the actor died at around 7AM Eastern time. But no further information about the actor’s cause of death was made available.