Actor Andy Griffith, the man who played folksy Sheriff Andy Taylor in the fictional town of Mayberry in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, died Tuesday at the age of 86.Griffith died at about 7 a.m. at his home on Roanoke Island, according to Dare County, North Carolina, Sheriff J.D. "Doug" Doughtie.
He passed away after an unspecified illness and "has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoake Island," the family said in a statement.
Soap stars took to twitter to mourn the loss of the television icon. Below is a roundup on responses:
Melody Thomas Scott (@MelodyThomasSco)
So sad 2 learn of AndyGriffith's passing. His 1st series gave audiences the comfort they were, and are craving. I still watch daily. RIP,friend.
Laura Wright (@lldubs)
Soooo sad about Andy Griffith -- My favorite was the man who walked in the trees and jingled - RIP
Colleen Zenk (@ColleenZenk)
Oohh, Andy... I grew up with you, just like Opie... what a wonderful actor...
Brett Claywell (@BrettClaywell)
RIP Andy. You made our state proud. Thanks for all the quality time with my grandparents. Too many good memories to list.
Lee Meriwether (@LeeMeriwether)
Andy Griffith and I were acting partners who became close friends. We played husband and wife in the movie "Angel in my Pocket", a Musical Special together with Don Knotts and Janet Leigh, and then again as marrieds in the series, The New Andy Griffith Show.
For a time after, we corresponded back and forth in character. He, as a member of a group of teenage boys who had a fan club in his home town, and I chose to write as a sister who was part of Siamese twin tap dancing act. I saved his letters (they were cute and funny). I've often wondered if he had saved mine.
We talked on the phone through the years. With my daughters, Kyle and Lesley, we went to see him perform in Vegas. And he saw me doing the musical "Follies". Andy found the "perfect gal" as he said when he met Cindy. She was the perfect match for him. Caring, understanding, and devoted. My prayers are with her.
Daniel McVicar (@danielmcvicar)
RIP Andy Griffith http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/3uxa
Ken Kercheval (@KenKercheval)
RIP Andy... off to a new journey #andygriffith I will miss you.
Gregory Michael (@GregoryMichael)
Andy Griffith touched & shaped so many lives, including my own. I will miss him. May you rest from your greatest performance. #life #ripandy
Molly Burnett (@mollydollyy)
Oh Andy Griffith
Mark Hapka (@MarkHapka)
RIP Andy Griffith! You were a true entertainment hero!
Lisa LoCicero (@lisalocicerogh)
gAwww.. Andy Griffith.. I will always remember your speech to little Opie when he killed the mama bird with his slingshot.. #classic
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Below is the pilot episode of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. The ending with Andy, Opie and Aunt Bea was one of my favorite moments of the entire brilliant series. The show was a favorite of my parents and my entire family.
Andy brought small-town humor and life into the homes of every American through their television screens. He’ll be missed after his long and full career of entertainment which still fills many households like my own family’s. I created a portrait of Andy and Don Knotts for my Cult of Personality series a few years back, which depicted entertainers who influenced my life in one capacity or another. I shared work of art today on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/07/in-memoriam-andy-griffith.html Feel free to drop by and share your own memories of growing up with Mayberry.
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