Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal as Sheriff Andy Taylor in the 1960s television series "The Andy Griffith Show" and Attorney Ben Matlock in the 1980s series "Matlock." He began his career as a stand-up comedian before landing a starring role in the Broadway production of "No Time for Sergeants" (1955) for which he earned a Tony nomination. He later appeared as Pvt. Will Stockdale in the 1958 film version along with lifelong friend and actor Don Knotts. In 1957, he debuted in his first theatrical motion picture "A Face in the Crowd" playing a psychopathic country-western singer seeking stardom and political power. In 1960, he appeared in the starring role on the "Andy Griffith Show" playing a local small town sheriff in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The comedy series became an instant television classic and ran for eight seasons from 1960 to 1968 on the CBS television network. The show finished in the top ten ratings for all eight seasons. The enormous popularity and success of the show made him a household celebrity and fan favorite. In 1981, he was nominated for his performance in the television mini-series "Murder in Texas," and, in 1997, he received a Grammy award for his Gospel album "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns." Following the "Andy Griffith Show" he appeared in several less-successful television series before producing and starring in the TV series "Matlock." The series ran from 1986 to 1995 earning Griffith a People's Choice Award in 1987. His notable film and television credits include: "Onionhead" (1958), "The New Andy Griffith Show" (1960), "The Second Time Around" (1961), "Angel in My Pocket" (1969), "Washington Behind Closed Doors" (1977), "Centennial" (1978), "Roots: The Next Generation" (1979), "Return to Mayberry" (1986), and over a dozen Matlock made-for-television movies. In November 2005, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award in recognition of exceptional public service.
Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal as Sheriff Andy Taylor in the 1960s television series "The Andy Griffith Show" and Attorney Ben Matlock in the 1980s series "Matlock." He began his career as a stand-up comedian before landing a starring role in the Broadway production of "No Time for Sergeants" (1955) for which he earned a Tony nomination. He later appeared as Pvt. Will Stockdale in the 1958 film version along with lifelong friend and actor Don Knotts. In 1957, he debuted in his first theatrical motion picture "A Face in the Crowd" playing a psychopathic country-western singer seeking stardom and political power. In 1960, he appeared in the starring role on the "Andy Griffith Show" playing a local small town sheriff in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The comedy series became an instant television classic and ran for eight seasons from 1960 to 1968 on the CBS television network. The show finished in the top ten ratings for all eight seasons. The enormous popularity and success of the show made him a household celebrity and fan favorite. In 1981, he was nominated for his performance in the television mini-series "Murder in Texas," and, in 1997, he received a Grammy award for his Gospel album "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns." Following the "Andy Griffith Show" he appeared in several less-successful television series before producing and starring in the TV series "Matlock." The series ran from 1986 to 1995 earning Griffith a People's Choice Award in 1987. His notable film and television credits include: "Onionhead" (1958), "The New Andy Griffith Show" (1960), "The Second Time Around" (1961), "Angel in My Pocket" (1969), "Washington Behind Closed Doors" (1977), "Centennial" (1978), "Roots: The Next Generation" (1979), "Return to Mayberry" (1986), and over a dozen Matlock made-for-television movies. In November 2005, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award in recognition of exceptional public service.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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