Andy Griffith : June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012

Revered actor Andy Griffith, star of “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Matlock,” has died at age 86 today.

The news was confirmed by former University of North Carolina President, Bill Friday, who is a close friend of the actor.  Mr. Griffith died at his home in Dare County, North Carolina around 7AM, Tuesday morning.

Griffith, who was born in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, was best known as Sheriff Andy Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1960-1968.  Having a varied career in television and films, Mr. Griffith achieved success once again by playing the title character, Ben Matlock, in the widely regarded legal drama, “Matlock”.  His name will forever be synonymous with his two most popular shows.

Actor and Director,  Ron Howard, who played Andy’s son, Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” had this to say this morning via Twitter:

“Andy Griffith.  His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life.  I’m forever grateful. RIP Andy.”

Mr. Griffith is survived by wife Cindi and his daughter Dixie.  Son Andrew Jr., known as Sam, died in 1996.

In honor of Andy Griffith and his endearing career, below is a reposting of our first LOCATION, LOCATION, Location? article that honored the timeless “Andy Griffith Show”.

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This location is the pathway seen in the opening credits of “The Andy Griffith Show”.

Let’s take a look at the NOW and THEN picture and a bit of information about the location …

This idyllic spot may be very familiar to many viewers of rerun television as this location was used as the pathway that Andy Griffith and little Ronnie Howard walked down at the beginning credits of every “The Andy Griffith Show” episode from 1960-1968.  It was first shot in black and white and a few years later, re-shot in color with an older Ronnie Howard.

The location is supposedly set near Mayberry in Stokes County, North Carolina at a place named in the show as Myers Lake (named after the show’s production manager, Frank E. Myers).  It was often referred to as “the fishin’ hole”.  Miles removed from North Carolina, this location is actually found in Franklin Canyon Park, nestled within the city of Beverly Hills, California.  It has been used in many productions throughout the years.  The Franklin Lake water level is much lower nowadays and the area where Opie throws in his rock is filled with dense marsh foliage, however, the path remains relatively unchanged after 52 years.

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Previous LOCATION, LOCATION, Location? articles may be found via the link below.

http://beyondthemarquee.com/category/about-us/original-featured-sections/location-location-location/