Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, southern gospel singer, and writer. Known for his Southern drawl, his characters with a folksy-friendly personality, and his gruff but friendly voice, Griffith was a Tony Award nominee for two roles, and gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957) and No Time for Sergeants (1958) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead roles of Andy Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968) and Ben Matlock in the legal drama Matlock (1986–1995).

Andy Griffith

Acting Born June 1, 1926 – Died July 3, 2012 Mount Airy, North Carolina, USA

Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, southern gospel singer, and writer. Known for his Southern drawl, his characters with a folksy-friendly personality, and his gruff but friendly voice, Griffith was a Tony Award nominee for two roles, and gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957) and No Time for Sergeants (1958) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead roles of Andy Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968) and Ben Matlock in the legal drama Matlock (1986–1995).

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self

The Mike Douglas Show

Self

Saturday Night Live

Andy Taylor (uncredited)

The Love Boat

Larry Cooper

Diagnosis: Murder

Ben Matlock

The Merv Griffin Show

Self

What's My Line?

Self

The Andy Griffith Show

Andy Taylor

Dawson's Creek

Andrew Lanier

Hawaii Five-O

Arnold Lovejoy

Tonight Starring Jack Paar

Self

Matlock

Ben Matlock