Andy Griffith

Photo of Andy Griffith

Biography

Prior to becoming a friendly face in many American living rooms, Griffith was a talented musician with early aspirations to be an opera singer. But instead he rose to fame as a monologist, delivering a parody of the Johnny Ray son "Please Mr. Sun" and the woodsy "What it Was, Was Football" (1953), one of the most popular recorded monologues of all time. Griffith turned to television with "No Time for Sergeants" (1955) - a role he reprised for …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Writer

Born

June 1, 1926

Career Milestones

Struck out on a career as an entertainer; originally wanted to be a singer, but had more success with a monologue parodying popular Johnny Ray song "Please Mr. Sun"

Taught high school music in Goldsboro, NC for three years after graduating from college

1953

Recorded "What It Was Was Football," one of the most popular comedic monologues of all time

1954

Made TV debut guesting on an episode of "The Ed Sullivan Show" (CBS)

1954

Read Mac Hayman's novel No Time for Sergeants and later found out that the Theatre Guild was presenting it as a play on TV, which was bound for Broadway; auditioned and won the role of Will Stockdale, playing it on TV's "U.S. Steel Hour" (ABC, CBS)

1955

Made Broadway debut in "No Time for Sergeants"; received Tony nomination

1956

Appeared as a regular on the NBC variety series "The Steve Allen Show"

1957

Made feature film debut with a leading role in Elia Kazan's "A Face in the Crowd"

1959

Returned to Broadway in the lead of the musicalized "Destry Rides Again"; received Tony nomination for Actor in a Musical

1960

Starred as folksy sheriff and single father Andy Taylor on the popular CBS sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show"

1965

Co-hosted his first TV variety special "The Andy Griffith-Don Knotts-Jim Nabors Show"

1968

First TV producing credit, as executive producer of the "The Andy Griffith Show" spin-off "Mayberry R.F.D." (CBS)

1969

First TV writing credit, "Looking Back", a nostalgic look at young people growing up during the 1930s

1970

Starred as elite private school headmaster Andy Thompson on the CBS comedy-drama series "Headmaster"

1971

Starred as Mayor Andy Sawyer on the CBS sitcom "The New Andy Griffith Show"

1972

Former production company Andy Griffith Enterprises

1972

TV-movie acting debut, "The Strangers in 7A" (CBS)

1974

First TV production of Andy Griffith Enterprises, the TV-movie "Winter Kill" (ABC); also starred

1975

Last leading role in a feature, "Hearts of the West"; took second billing to Jeff Bridges

1975

Starred as Sheriff Sam Adams on the short-lived ABC crime drama series "Adams of Eagle Lake," which was produced by Andy Griffith Enterprises

1977

Acted in first TV miniseries, "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" (ABC)

1979

Starred as Harry Broderick on the ABC adventure series "Salvage 1"

1980

Played Carroll Yeager on the short-lived ABC drama series "The Yeagers"

1981

First supporting role on a TV series, the Western comedy "Best of the West" (ABC)

1986

Executive produced and reprised Andy Taylor role in the TV-movie "Return to Mayberry" (NBC), the highest rated TV-movie of its season

1986

Played the title role of Benjamin L. Matlock on the courtroom drama series "Matlock" (NBC, 1986-1993; ABC, 1993-95); also co-executive produced

1993

Executive produced and hosted the CBS comedy compilation special "The Andy Griffith Show Reunion," which reunited cast members and included clips from the series

2001

Guest starred on The WB's hit teen drama "Dawson's Creek"

2001

Landed supporting role in "Daddy and Them," starring Billy Bob Thornton, Laura Dern, and Diane Ladd

2007

Appeared as 'Old Joe,' the diner owner in the indie feature "Waitress"

2009

Made final film appearance in the romantic comedy "Play the Game"

Awards

1981

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In a Limited Series or a Special in Murder in Texas