RIP Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush

We lost a national treasure and more specifically, a Tar Heel treasure when Andy Griffith passed away today at the age of 86 at his home in Manteo, North Carolina. The cause of death was listed as a heart attack.

Andy, a member of the Class of 1949, studied Dramatic Arts and majored in Music at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  Although he became well known for his skills as an actor, producer, writer, and comedian, Andy is arguably most fondly remembered by his fans for his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

For decades, Andy Griffith was one of the most respected and admired figures on TV.  Many of us grew up in the 60s anxiously looking forward to the next new episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.”  We could hardly wait to see what Sheriff Andy Taylor, Deputy Barney Fife, Opie Taylor, Aunt Bee Taylor, and friends would stir up next.  Reruns of the classic show are still enjoyed by multiple generations to this day.

In 1953, Andy recorded “What It Was, Was Football” — a hugely successful comedic piece that not only sold roughly 800,000 copies but also landed Andy a 1954 appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”   That famous recording jump started Andy’s long, productive career.

Enjoy “What It Was, Was Football” and the added photos in the video below  courtesy of GoHeels.com.

 Thank you for enriching our lives, Andy Griffith.  We adore you.  RIP, sir.