TV Icon and Tony Nominee Andy Griffith Dies at 86

Two-time Tony nominee Andy Griffith, beloved for his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor on TV's The Andy Griffith Show, passed away at his home in Dare County, North Carolina on July 3, according to WITN News. He was 86 years old.

Griffith was born and raised in North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1955, he performed in a one–hour teleplay of No Time for Sergeants, and went on to make his Broadway debut in that play that same year. He returned to Broadway in 1959’s western musical Destry Rides Again. He earned Tony nominations for both roles.

Between Broadway outings, Griffith made his film debut in A Face in the Crowd in 1957, directed by Elia Kazan. After making the move to TV, he became a household name playing small town Sheriff Andy Taylor in fictional Mayberry, NC on The Andy Griffith Show. The series ran from 1960 to 1968. He later starred in the TV series Matlock from 1986 to 1995.

Griffith is survived by his wife Cindi and daughter Dixie Nan. His son, Andrew Jr. (known as Sam), passed away in 1996.