Legendary television actor Andy Griffith, who made a name for himself with his self-titled comedy “The Andy Griffith Show” and later on the long-running series “Matlock,” has died at the age of 86, according to multiple reports.
Griffith was rushed to a North Carolina hospital by an EMS team after they were called to his Roanoke home Tuesday morning. The actor’s close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday, confirmed the news to several sources, including TMZ 
and a local NBC affiliate.
The details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.
Griffith first gained prominence in Hollywood after appearing in the Elia Kazan film “A Face in the Crowd.”
In 1960, he played the lead character in “The Andy Griffith Show,” where he became a household name and a staple of American television. The show ran until 1968.
Aw, man… there’s going to be weeping and wailing in my N.C. hometown today.
Andy Griffith was a true American hero. As such, he would spit on a conservative republican. He loved America – you folks dislike her so much, you would ruin her on the orders from your cult. You cannot be a little bit republican – you are either a full-blown wingnut or a loyal American, you cannot be both.
I didn’t know, and I’m just an hour away from Roanoke.
Andy- thanks for everything. You did good, friend.
I always thought that Andy was. True American, but then he came out for Obama, and was I ever disappointed.