Andy Griffith, was a childhood hero of mine. I’m sure he was a childhood hero for most people as well. While he is mostly famous for the TV shows, “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Matlock”, he was a multi talented man who did it all. He was a stand up comedian, actor, director, producer, singer, etc. He was also the one who helped launch the acting career of, Ron Howard (he started off as actor, he is now director full time). As a child, I would watch, “The Andy Griffith” show all the time. It was one of my favorite shows as a kid.

Andy was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. He shares the same birthday with, Marilyn Monroe. Andy grew up listening to music. As a student at Mount Airy High School, he grew interest in arts and studied acting at the schools, drama program. Andy also learned how to sing and play the trombone, by Ed Mickey who was a minister. After Andy graduated high school in 1944, he was offered a role in, “The Lost Colony” by Paul Green. In college, he continued to study both music and acting in drama.

In 1953, Andy released his first vinyl record titled, “What It Was, Was Football”, which is a monologue of a college football game. He also continued to star in various plays and musicals. In 1957 he made his acting debut in, “A Face In the Crowd”, in which the film is about a power hungry country boy who becomes a television host, and uses the show as a gateway to political power.

In 1960, he was hired to play a county Sheriff, for the show “Make Room For Daddy”, which the “Andy Griffith Show” spun off from there. The show was a huge hit and lasted for 8 seasons. Even though Andy left the show to star in “Matlock”, the “Andy Griffith Show” continued to be a big hit. “Matlock” was also a very successful show as it lasted for, 9 Seasons.

Andy Griffith legacy continues to inspire everyone to this day. Griffith died at his home in North Carolina. He was 86 years old.

Kev