Andy Griffith, 86, dies at Roanoke Island home

The Voice | July 3, 2012

From Brad Paisley's video Waitin' on a Woman.

Andy Griffith, who started his acting career with The Lost Colony and went on to star in movies and television, died this morning.

He was 86 years old.

Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie said in a statement that Emergency Medical Services was called at about 7 a.m. to his home outside of Manteo, where he died.

Griffith is best known for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock.

Griffith lived on 70 acres where his home offers an expansive view of the Roanoke Sound.

Born in Mt. Airy, N.C., Griffith would return to Roanoke Island to escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and New York before settling in permanently, according to a profile by Mal Vincent of The Virginian-Pilot.

Griffith could sometimes be seen around town, occasionally shopping at Seamark, the now-closed locally owned grocer for which he appeared in televisions ads. He spoke out publicly at a hearing against plans by the supermarket chain, Food Lion, to locate in Manteo. The anti-Food Lion forces prevailed.

He was one of the founders of the Outer Banks Community Foundation. But other than a close circle of friends, Griffith led an extremely private life with his wife Cindi.

In this photo of Lost Colony cast members, Andy Griffith is second from the left in the second row. (East Carolina University)

He got his start with The Lost Colony in the late 1940s and went on to stardom as a singer, stand-up comedian and actor — his best-known role as Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry in the long-running comedy, The Andy Griffith Show.

Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor. (CBS)

Early in his career, he was a standup comic, and his monologue “What It Was, Was Football” became a comedy classic.

He graduated with a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In a brief statement, the family confirmed his death.

“He has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island,” the statement said.

Read Mal Vincent’s profile »

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See what people are saying:

M.U.G. says:

HOW COME WE ALWAYS LOSE THE GOOD AND BELOVED ONES AND NEVER IT SEEMS THE “bad ones)????????? REST IN PEACE ANDY YOU ARE `TRULY MISSED BY US.

on July 3, 2012 @ 1:47 pm

Dodge says:

Andy Griffith always reminded me of my granddaddy in both his appearance and his demeanor. He’ll be sorely missed.

on July 3, 2012 @ 2:52 pm

Frank Moore says:

Such a shame, he was truely one of the last good guys !

on July 3, 2012 @ 3:42 pm

Tammie says:

Andy will be sorely missed. I loved watching him on tv and I was always impressed with all the things he did for the Manteo community. Such a sad day.

on July 3, 2012 @ 5:08 pm

rodger says:

Established “me” as a person watching him as a fictional character. He has moved on to Mayberry in the sky!

on July 3, 2012 @ 5:28 pm

Elizabeth Buckley says:

I grew up watching The Andy Griffith show with my father. 30+ years later, my children were watching it with me. A classic, funny, and touching show about family life with timeless values. Thanks, Andy.

on July 3, 2012 @ 7:20 pm

wills says:

andy & barney will be together in the heavenly choir forever, still best friends. how happy they must be for this glorious homecoming. how deeply you have touched our lives, God speed.

on July 4, 2012 @ 7:51 am

Karen says:

Andy was a great man whom I remember seeing him in Manteo alot when I was a child. And he always took the time to talk. sweet guy. Cindy is in my prayers

on July 4, 2012 @ 3:01 pm

Barry Weeks says:

Andy, you have brought me joy for years. Enjoy heaven!!

on July 5, 2012 @ 12:02 am

Terri says:

Andy, in my eyes, was the most perfect man ever. I cannot believe he is gone. I’m watching the all day Andy Griffith show marathon, and I’m amazed at how handsome he is, how kind of a man he was as they say he was just like his character on TV. He was a character every person should judge themselves against, and to know that he is no longer with us made me cry my eyes out. My best to his family. I would love to see some of Andy’s beautiful farm and perhaps his final resting place when the time is right. LOVE YOU ANDY!

on July 7, 2012 @ 4:56 pm

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