Andy Griffith Headshot

Andy Griffith

Date of Death: July 03, 2012 (92)

Birth Place: Mount Airy, NC, USA

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Andy Griffith BIO

Andy Griffith was an American actor, comedian, and singer who was born on June 1, 1926, in Mount Airy, North Carolina. He was the only child of his parents, Carl Lee and Geneva Nunn Griffith. Andy Griffith's father was a carpenter, and his mother was a homemaker. Andy Griffith grew up in a Baptist family and was a talented singer from a young age. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied music and drama.
After college, Andy Griffith moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. He made his Broadway debut in 1955 in the musical "Destry Rides Again," which was based on the 1939 film of the same name. The musical starred Andy Griffith as the lead character, Tom Destry Jr. The show was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and Andy Griffith's performance was praised for its charm and humor.
Following his success on Broadway, Andy Griffith began to appear in films and on television. In 1957, he starred in the film "A Face in the Crowd," which was directed by Elia Kazan. The film was a critical success and is now considered a classic of American cinema. In 1960, Andy Griffith starred in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show," which was set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The show was a huge success and ran for eight seasons, from 1960 to 1968. Andy Griffith played the role of Sheriff Andy Taylor, a kind and gentle lawman who always had a wise word for his friends and neighbors.
After "The Andy Griffith Show" ended, Andy Griffith continued to act in films and on television. In 1986, he starred in the television movie "Murder in Texas," which was based on a true story. The film was a critical success, and Andy Griffith's performance was praised for its intensity and depth. In 1987, he starred in the television series "Matlock," which was created by Dean Hargrove. The show was a hit with audiences and ran for nine seasons, from 1986 to 1995. Andy Griffith played the role of Ben Matlock, a folksy and shrewd defense attorney who always got his clients off the hook.
Andy Griffith was also a talented singer and recorded several albums throughout his career. In 1996, he released the album "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns," which featured classic hymns and gospel songs. The album was a commercial success and earned Andy Griffith a Grammy Award nomination.
Andy Griffith passed away on July 3, 2012, at the age of 86. He was a beloved actor and performer who brought joy and laughter to audiences around the world. His legacy lives on through his timeless performances on stage, screen, and in music.

Andy Griffith STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Destry

[Broadway]
1955
Will Stockdale


Andy Griffith Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1960 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Andy Griffith, Destry Rides Again


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1956 - Performance

Andy Griffith, No Time for Sergeants

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Andy Griffith, No Time for Sergeants

Andy Griffith Videos

Andy Griffith News


Steve Tyrell Returns to Catalina's For Valentine's Day


Catalina Popescu, the Catalina of the iconic Catalina Jazz Club announces the Valentine's Day return of one of Hollywood's most famous and favorite performers and crooners, the Grammy Award-winning Steve Tyrell.   

Legendary Drama Director Wendell Tabb Honored With Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award


Tabb has received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest award bestowed by the Governor of North Carolina.

Interview: Paul Linke Illuminates Why IT'S not ONLY A SHOW!


A long-time collaborator with Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Linke has co-written It’s Only a Show!, performing as the popular comedian in his one-man tribute to Charles Nelson Reilly. This solo show directed by Edward Edwards opens January 13, 2024 at the Ruskin Group Theatre, 5pm curtain, in tandem with John Colella’s An Extraordinary Ordinary Man at 8pm. Paul managed to find some time before starting tech to answer a few of my queries.

Karen Knotts to Perform One-Woman Show at Cumberland Theatre


Get ready for a night of laughter and nostalgia as Karen Knotts takes the stage at Cumberland Theatre in her one-woman show, Tied Up in Knotts! Don't miss this opportunity to hear stories about her famous father, Don Knotts, and growing up in Tinseltown. Catch the show on Thursday, November 2nd at 8:00 pm.

Photos: Ruta Lee Sells Out Cabaret at the Rat Pack's Famous Purple Room


See photos from Ruta Lee's sold out cabaret show at the Purple Room!

The Legendary Ruta Lee Takes Center Stage In Palm Springs Famous Purple Room With CONSIDER YOUR ASS KISSED


In addition to a melody of musicals in which Ms Lee has appeared and hopes to appear, Ruta offers a treasure trove of wonderful stories, anecdotes with rare first hand and authentic memories of the entertainment industry. 

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA Opens At Centenary Stage Company


Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, The Enchanted Edition opens December 1 at 7:30 pm in Centenary Stage Company's Sitnik Theatre. Performances will run December 1-11 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ

Tyler Childers Confirms 2023 'Send in the Hounds Tour'


Singer, songwriter and musician Tyler Childers and his band The Food Stamps will return to the stage next year with their newly confirmed “Send in the Hounds Tour.” Special guests on the tour include Charley Crockett, Drive-By Truckers, S.G. Goodman, Wayne Graham, Abby Hamilton, Elle King, Marcus King, John R. Miller, Miles Miller and Margo Price.  

Pluto TV Announces Huge Expansion of CBS Content


Tapping into the rich heritage of the CBS library and the huge reach of America’s Most Watched broadcast network, audiences will now have unprecedented access to over 6300 new, classic episodes available to stream on-demand - tripling the amount of CBS series currently available on-demand on Pluto TV.

Middletown Arts Center Presents Geoffrey Owens in NOW I AM ALONE


The Dunbar Repertory Company, in collaboration with the Middletown Arts Center, presents Geoffrey Owens in “Now I Am Alone”, based on the works of William Shakespeare, on Saturday, November 5 at 3 p.m. The words of the “Bard” come alive in the most capable hands of Owens in this 90-minute roller coaster of Shakespeare's comedies, tragedies and romances!

Centenary Stage Company Announces Casting For Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA


This holiday season, Centenary Stage Company will present Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Performances will run December 1-11 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ.

Craig Shoemaker Brings LAUGHTER HEALS To Thousand Oaks


Comedian Craig Shoemaker, 30-plus year veteran of the comedy club circuit, brings his new show, “Laughter Heals”, to the Scherr Forum on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 7:30 pm.

Fall Opportunities Abound For Area Youth At Centenary Stage Company


The deadline to apply for the 2022 Fall Session of Centenary Stage Company's Young Performer's Workshop is September 9 and the program will run from September 10 through December 18.

Applications for Centenary Theatre Company's Young Performers Workshop Being Accepted Through September 9


The deadline to apply for the 2022 Fall Session of Centenary Stage Company's Young Performer's Workshop is September 9 and the program will run from September 10 through December 18.

Review: HOT HOT HOT A SUMMER CONCERT Showcases Talent and Teaching at Don't Tell Mama


Bad advertising couldn't keep away the crowds who knew what was really happening last night at Don't Tell Mama.

Cast Announced For DESTRY RIDES AGAIN at Hill Country Community Theatre


HCCT is presenting the classic western firecracker of a musical for their hill country audience this month.  DESTRY RIDES AGAIN is based on the story by Max Brand, and became a book written by Leonard Gershe.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Selects Design Team For Stevens Center Renovation


The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has announced the selection of the nationally recognized firms Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, based in Charlotte, and Steinberg Hart, based in Los Angeles, as the design team that will lead Phase One of a multiphase, comprehensive renovation of the historic Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem.

THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET Sets Digital & DVD Release


The positive, wholesome series epitomized an idyllic American 1950s lifestyle, its gentle humor brought to the screen by the real-life Nelson family: Ozzie and wife Harriet with their sons, David and Rick, all portraying themselves in a trend-setting blend of fact-meets-fiction comedy decades before Seinfeld and other semi-reality-based shows. 

BWW Review: FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS at Audrey Herman's Spotlighters Theatre


Five wise-cracking southern belles come to know way more about each other than they intended as bridesmaids.

The Lost Colony Makes History While Honoring The Past for 85th Anniversary


Under direction of Jeff Whiting and Executive Director Chuck Still, the 85th Season of The Lost Colony will feature brand new theatrical technology (3D projections, dynamic lighting) to transform the experience for audiences attending the longest-running outdoor symphonic drama of the Tony Award recipient, beginning performances on May 27th.

Andy Griffith FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Andy Griffith been in?

Andy Griffith has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Andy Griffith been in?

Andy Griffith has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Andy Griffith been nominated for?

Andy Griffith has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his performance in "Destry Rides Again." He also received a Theatre World Award nomination for his performance in "No Time for Sergeants." Additionally, Griffith was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his role in "No Time for Sergeants." These nominations highlight Griffith's talent and recognition in the Broadway industry.

What awards has Andy Griffith won?

Andy Griffith won the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for his role in "No Time for Sergeants."

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