Andy Griffith: Passes away at 86

Andy Griffith: Passes away at 86

Versatile legend Andy Griffith has died at the age of 86.

The actor/singer's friend and former UNC President Bill Friday told WITN that Griffith passed away at his North Carolina home on Tuesday morning local time (July 3).

Confirming the actor's death, Dare County, NC police spokesperson Doug Doughtie has now released a Griffith family statement to The AP.

"Mr Griffith passed away this morning at his home peacefully and has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island," the family statement read.

Previously, police disclosed that an ambulance had been called to Griffith's home prior to news of his death first being reported.

The exact circumstances of Griffith's death are not yet known.

The Matlock star rose to fame in the 1950s starring as a charismatic and ultimately corrupt politician in Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd.

He turned his talents to the emerging television industry following A Face in the Crowd by starring in the landmark sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968 on CBS and launched the careers of Ron Howard and Don Knotts.

Griffith returned to film work in the 1970s, including starring against type as a villain in the 1974 TV movie Savages.

The actor/singer landed his second iconic television role in 1985 as a good natured criminal defense attorney in Matlock. Griffith played the role of Ben Matlock for 195 episodes over the course of nine seasons.

The actor was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Andy Griffith is survived by third wife Cindi Knight.