Andy Griffith
June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012
He was Will Stockdale, Onionhead and Lonesome Rhodes in movies before gaining his greatest fame on TV first as Sheriff Andy Taylor and much later as wily lawyer Ben Matlock. But to folks in North Carolina he was just Andy, a guy who was one of us — only a lot more talented.
Andy Griffith, a Tar Heel icon who brought fame to our state in the early 1960s by creating fictional Mayberry, N.C. on the immensely popular “Andy Griffith Show” died Tuesday at his longtime home in Dare County at age 86. He was without doubt the most popular and versatile entertainer in North Carolina history. He leaves behind a remarkable career that encompasses nearly every aspect of show business imaginable.
In fact, perhaps the most surprising fact is that Griffith never won Oscar, Emmy or Tony awards for acting throughout decades of noteworthy and often stunning performances in comedies and dramas via films, TV and on the stage.
Born and raised in Mount Airy, Griffith’s Depression-era beginnings in the mill community were humble indeed. And while many years later he made peace with his hometown, for years he spoke bitterly of his tough upbringing in the Surry County community. He always denied that the idyll town of Mayberry he created for CBS in 1960 was based on Mount Airy.
Griffith was drawn to show business early on, first as a musician and singer. He played the trombone at a Mount Airy Moravian Church and was encouraged to sing by a minister there. Later he won a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where he majored in music. During his time at UNC, he ventured into Burlington, where he served as a part-time director of the children’s choir at what was then the First Christian Church on the corner of Church and Davis streets.
After graduating in 1949, Griffith remained tied to North Carolina, moving to Goldsboro, where he worked as a school teacher. That left summers free for Griffith to continue to pursue a career in entertainment as a cast member for the outdoor drama, “The Lost Colony.” Griffith also created a musical act and toured small clubs on weekends with his then-spouse Barbara.
Griffith’s big break came when he wrote an off-the-cuff comic monologue about a country bumpkin witnessing a football game for the first time. “What It Was Was Football” launched his period as a comic and led to a recording contract and appearances on network television. Not long after, he tried out for and the won the part of hillbilly Will Stockdale who is drafted into the Army. “No Time for Sergeants” put Griffith on Broadway and into movies. His most stunning film performance came in 1957 as Lonesome Rhodes in “A Face in the Crowd.” The character, an unrepentant reprobate who becomes a sullen and cynical radio and TV star, was diametrically opposed to the genial and likeable country folk Griffith had largely portrayed until that time.
In 1960, Griffith endeared himself to the TV watching nation — and North Carolinians especially — with the debut of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Griffith created a fun-loving but imminently reliable sheriff who used common sense and not force (he carried no gun after all) to establish law and order in the peaceful Tar Heel town of Mayberry. He surrounded himself with a talented cast who in turn created characters of comedic genius. The show helped start and establish the estimable careers of Don Knotts, Jim Nabors and Ron Howard while spending eight straight seasons among the Top 10 highest rated shows on TV. The 249 episodes have been a TV staple for a half-century in reruns. Locally, it has aired on Greensboro’s WFMY at precisely 5:30 p.m. for longer than anyone cares to remember.
In the 1980s, Griffith overcame personal tragedy (the death of his son to a drug-related problem) and illness (Guillain-Barre syndrome) to create the character Ben Matlock, a Southern lawyer who was both smart and funny. “Matlock” was among the most watched shows on television from 1986 to 1995 and like “The Andy Griffith Show” remains popular in reruns. Often episodes were filmed in North Carolina — usually at locations from Wilmington to Topsail Island.
Throughout his career, Griffith never strayed far from his North Carolina roots and retired to the beaches of Dare County, where he sometimes involved himself in state politics. The biggest favor he did for his home state was making it famous as well as himself. When “The Andy Griffith Show” first aired, most TV shows were set in either New York or California.
Thanks Andy, you made it cool to be a Tar Heel.
Good on you for remembering Andy Griffith”s great performances in movies before ever doing that Mayberry thing. I sometimes think,as observed by many pundits,that “The Andy Griffith Show” so over shadowed this man’s other accomplishments as to minimize what a muti-talented and innovative performer that he really was.If you get a chance,listen or read some of the things Ron Howard said-his comments and observations dovetail nicely with your editorial. ‘Onionhead”–All I have to do is hear that and I start chuckling-what a funny movie.
Very talented man for sure. Thanks Wilber.
Madison, Commissioner Bill Lashley sent me and many other people the following:
Forwarded as received, but without comment, please do the same.
Yes, he told us in advance what he planned to do.
Few were listening.
The following is a narrative taken from a 2008 Sunday morning televised “Meet The Press.”
From Sunday’s 07 Sept. 2008, 11:48:04 EST, Televised “Meet the Press” the then Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.
General Bill Ginn, USAF (ret.), asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn’t follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171…
During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention, facing the flag, with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, “Stand and Face It”.
NOW GET THIS !!
‘Senator’ Obama replied:
“As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides…..” “There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression….” “The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air, and all that sort of thing.”
(ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???)
Obama continued:, “The National Anthem should be ‘swapped’ for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing.’ If that were our anthem, then I might salute it. In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as ‘redesign’ our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It’s my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptanceto our Middle East Brethren. If we, as a Nation of warring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails – - – perhaps astate or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ……”
“When I become President, I will seek a pact of agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts . We as a Nation, have placed upon the nations of Islam, an unfair injustice, which is WHY my wife disrespects the Flag, and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past.”
“Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country’s First black Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America.”
WHAAAAT, is that???
Yes, you read it right.
I, for one, am speechless!!!
Dale Lindsborg, Washington Post
EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NEEDS TO READ THIS, KEEP IT GOING ! !
SAVE AMERICA BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE ! !
Not only did Barack Obama never utter these words, he wasn’t even on that Sunday’s “Meet the Press” show. This lying has got to stop.
I may wind up doing a column about this kind of thing. I have to tell you, I’ve seen this particular item at least a dozen times in the past four years and usually from different people. It’s like the urban legend about the soap company with satanic connection or that crap about Target not allowing the Marine Corps to collect for Toys for Tots.
Or the one about LSD tattoos.
In the political world, though, there seems to be more of it than anywhere else. And once it makes the internet rounds, it hits a new crop of true believers who then forward it and begin the process over again.
christian first, good man 2nd, tarheel 3rd, liberal 4th.
all important and in the apporpriate order