A Classic Television Show Lives On

The town of Mayberry brings to mind a picture of a small town in America in the early 1960s. In that classic picture is a little red-headed boy walking along with a fishing pole. Walking along side him is his dad, town sheriff of the television town.

Almost everyone knows Opie and his dad, Sheriff Andy from the Andy Griffith Show. The show began in 1960 and ran for eight seasons. Now, over forty years after the last show was taped, Mayberry continues to air daily through syndicated television. People still enjoy the w arm humor and the simple stories.

Sheriff Andy Taylor was played by Andy Griffith. Griffith was one reason the show became so popular. He was the very wise and easy-going sheriff of sleepy little Mayberry.

There were times that part of the television show came from Griffith's real life. He was from the town of Mount Airy, North Carolina. His hometown had a Snappy Lunch just like the dinner where the Sheriff and his deputy, Barney Fife often had lunch. Also located in his home town was Floyd's Barber shop, jus t like in Mayberry.
Mr. Griffith has studied music in college, but his specialty has always been in country humor. The first recording he made was a monologue titled "What is Was, Was Football."

On Broadway, Andy Griffith acted in the play No Time for Sargents, which was made into a movie during the 1950s.

After the Andy Griffith Show ended, Andy did try a few more television series, but did not have any more hits until almost twenty years later when he landed the lead role in Matlock in 1986. This show allowed him to play a country lawyer who was also able to solve crimes.

In 2006, Andy said goodbye to his old friend. Don Knotts, who had played Barney, died in Los Angeles after battling cancer. Their friendship was so deep, that Andy Griffith traveled from his home in North Carolina to visit his former co-star in the hospital.

Andy Griffith has won several awards. The Broadway acting he did gave him two Tony nominations. For the television series, Matlock, he won the People's Choice award in 1987. He has also been awarded the Metal of Freedom award. Andy Griffith's home state has dedicated a section of a state highway to him.

He has worked hard and been a success in many branches of the entertainment field, including music, stand up comedy, outdoor theater, Broadway and movies. However Andy Griffith's biggest success was his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor on the television show Mayberry.