Alert: Andy Griffith Passes at 86

Aimee Herd : Jul 3, 2012
Ann Oldenburg – USA Today

"?his pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating, served generations & shaped my life. I'm forever grateful. RIP Andy." ?Ron Howard

(North Carolina, USA)?According to news reports Tuesday morning, legendary TV actor and Gospel singer Andy Griffith died around 7am at his home in Dare County, North Carolina. He was 86.

The beloved actor was catapulted to fame in his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor in "The Andy Griffith Show" which aired on CBS from 1960 to 1968. During that time Ron Howard was cast as his son Opie. (Photo: CBS)

Griffith found later success in the legal drama Matlock; he had the lead role of Ben Matlock.

Not just an actor, Griffith was also a successful country and Gospel singer and his 1996 release "I Love to Tell The Story: 25 Timeless Hymns" went platinum. He was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2005, Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush, and in 2007, he was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In reading about his life, I discovered Griffith entered college with the goal of becoming a Moravian preacher, but later changed his major to music.

He didn't seem to have such a storybook life later on; married three times (divorced twice), Griffith had a daughter and son with his first wife, and his son died in 1996 from alcoholism.

One of the last albums released by Griffith (in 2005) was a "best of" collection of hymns titled: "Bound for the Promised Land." Perhaps he is. (Photo: Bob Jordan/AP)

Some of those who have known Andy Griffith tweeted their goodbyes this morning.

Director Ron Howard said, "Andy Griffith, His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating, served generations & shaped my life. I'm forever grateful. RIP Andy."

Amy Grant tweeted: "From Team Amy-Go Rest High on that Mountain, Andy Griffith."