Andy Griffith Dies at 86

BY Alex HudsonPublished Jul 3, 2012

Beloved actor and musician Andy Griffith died this morning (July 3) at his home in Dare County, NC, according to reports. He was 86.

The source of the sad news is former University of North Carolina president Bill Friday, a good friend of Griffith. The cause of death is currently unknown, but Griffith had some health problems in his later life; he underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery in 2000 and had hip surgery in 2007.

While Griffith is best known for his on-screen roles in Matlock and The Andy Griffith Show (in addition to many other television shows and films), he was also deeply involved in music. He graduated from university with a bachelor of music, and went on to record numerous albums as a country and gospel singer.

In 1997, he scored a Grammy Award for Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Album with the album I Love to Tell the Story - 25 Timeless Hymns (which was later certified platinum). Some of his acting roles also incorporated singing.

Griffith is survived by his third wife, Cindi Knight, and daughter, Dixie Nan.

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