Actor Andy Griffith dies in North Carolina, TV station says

[Leon]

Sorry to hear of this one....One of the true great actors of our time.

http://news.yahoo.com/actor-andy-griffith-dies-north-carolina-tv-station-143143238.html




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[barrysloate]

I was just about to start a new post about Andy Griffith's passing and I see I'm a few minutes late. Griffith was one of my favorite performers of all time, and the Andy Griffith Show is certainly among the greatest in American television history. His relationship on air, both with Don Knotts as the straight man, and Ron Howard as the single dad, are unparalleled.

And if you've never seen the film "A Face in the Crowd" (his 1957 screen debut), put that on your short list of must-see films. And check out some clips on youtube in the meantime.

We lost a giant today. Rest in peace Sheriff Taylor.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Andy Griffith and the Andy Griffith Show represented everything that was good about small town America. He was a role model our kids could look up to. They don't make them like that anymore.

[barrysloate]

Andy Griffith and the Andy Griffith Show represented everything that was good about small town America. He was a role model our kids could look up to. They don't make them like that anymore.

+++1

If you liked the Andy Griffith Show, here are three things you might find interesting:

1) Although Griffith had lifelong friendships with both Don Knotts and Ron Howard, he and Frances Bavier detested each other. Other than doing their scenes together, they never spoke. In fact, Bavier really never spoke to anyone on the show. Apparently she hated the role of Aunt Bee.

2) Howard McNear (Floyd the barber) had a massive stroke in 1962 and left the show. When he returned a year and a half later, he played all his scenes sitting down or leaning against a specially made stand. He suffered from slurred speech and partial paralysis, but it was the show that kept him alive.

3) The episode "Opie the Birdman", is not only considered the best show of the eight year run (it was Ron Howard's favorite), but TV historians consider it one of the great episodes in the history of television.

[bobw]

Loved him in "No Time For Sergeants"

A "salute" to Andy

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo8oocrz4v1qmpg90o1_400.gif

[bradmar48]

1953 Andy Griffith classic "What it was was football"



http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/what-it-was-was-football.html

[bigtrain]

Loved him in "No Time For Sergeants"

A "salute" to Andy

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo8oocrz4v1qmpg90o1_400.gif

"Permanent Latrine Orderly" Hilarious!

[CMIZ5290]

This is hands down my favorite show of all time. It's just a shame that there are not tv shows like this anymore. I am so sick and tired of the stupid comedies and reality shows, i could throw up. An interesting twist to the griffith show was that originally, andy was going to be the comical and goofy type, and barney was going to be more straight forward and proper business like. After andy griffith was around don knotts for awhile and saw his quick wit and comical genius, andy actually "switched the roles" so to speak. If you watch the orignal 5-10 episodes, andy actually comes across as the goofy one before the switch....

[teetwoohsix]

Andy Griffith and the Andy Griffith Show represented everything that was good about small town America. He was a role model our kids could look up to. They don't make them like that anymore.

+1, RIP Andy Griffith

Sincerely, Clayton

[barrysloate]

Tonight TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is airing "A Face in the Crowd", Andy Griffith's 1957 film debut. If you're a Griffith fan and have never seen this, I strongly suggest you give it a look. This was America's first look at Griffith, and his scalding performance is unlike any other role he ever played. It's always been one of my favorite films. It's on at 8:00 tonight.