Andy Griffith Passes Away at 86 
Wednesday, July 4, 2012Andrew Samuel "Andy" Griffith was an American actor, television producer, Grammy Award-winning Southern-gospel singer, and writer. But
more than that, he was an American icon. Yesterday, he passed away at the age of 86. A Tony Award nominee for two roles, he gained
prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957) before he became better known for his television
roles, playing the lead characters in the 1960–1968 situation comedy The Andy Griffith Show and in the 1986–1995 legal drama Matlock.
It's hard not to whistle anything and not think of the opening of the show named after him.
Known primarily for his acting work, Griffith was very active in country and gospel music throughout his career. Griffith sang as part of
some of his acting roles, most notably in A Face In The Crowd and in many episodes of both of his television series. In addition to his
recordings of comic monologues in the 1950s, he made an album of upbeat country and gospel tunes during the run of The Andy Griffith
Show, which included a version of the show's theme sung by Griffith under the title "The Fishin' Hole." In recent years, he recorded
successful albums of classic Christian hymns for Sparrow Records. His most successful was the 1996 release I Love to Tell the Story: 25
Timeless Hymns, which was certified platinum by the RIAA. Griffith also appeared in country singer Brad Paisley's music video "Waitin' on a
Woman" in 2008.
Posted by That Nashville Sound
Sujet: R.I.P. : Andy Griffith Passes Away at 86 
