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'America's Sheriff' Andy Griffith dead at 86

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    A look at TV star's legacy

  • Duration 3:43
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-- affectionately remembered as America's sheriff has died in a statement his family said the beloved actor Andy -- Griffin died at his North Carolina home today.

He was 86 years old.

-- for the rose to fame in the 1950s but he became a star in the sixties when the Andy Griffith Show was part of America's original must see TV.

Clocking some 35 million viewers each week.

That's more than Steinfeld and nearly double the weekly viewership of the hit sitcom friends.

Every Monday night American families would come together to check in on -- signature character -- southern sheriff in the fictional small town of mayberry.

But only excuse for not eaten at meal times is when you're -- Why think talk we don't waste food around here when -- are to you -- it.

Now there's a lot of people in this world would give anything so don't -- meal like that so you go ahead.

His.

Contribution to our culture even earned him the presidential medal of freedom in 2005.

America's highest civilian honor.

Trace Gallagher is live in our West Coast news -- Trace.

You know John -- driven actually wanted to be a minister and decided instead to be a teacher and as we all know he wound up being an entertainer which was a stroke of luck for all of us -- Because although he never preached nor taught.

-- lessons were invaluable.

You hear the whistle you'd think of the name Andy Griffith and mayberry RFD Barney.

Don't shoot the slingshot the office and Dallas bar with a slingshot born.

Andrews Samuel Griffith and mount airy North Carolina 1926.

After majoring in music he wanted to be a singer.

So in 1952.

He hit the road.

Turns out he was a better comedian than singer in 1953 recorded one of the most popular comedic monologues of all time.

It was that both barges full of them -- won't -- this funny looking little pumped into blindly.

He went to Broadway where he received a Tony nomination for his role in no time for sergeants.

Then in 1957.

He made his film debut.

In -- face in the crowd the story of the country boy turned superstar.

Turned monster.

Here we -- -- don't get then we damn him.

Then it was back to Broadway and onto a guest appearance on the Danny Thomas Show him.

As the mayor of a small southern town a road that -- here.

The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight years and has rerun ever sense in 1986.

And he came back to primetime television with a -- In the series -- -- are you Ben Matlock.

-- -- Sheriff Taylor and the gang get reunited couple of times both specials where hugely successful.

Apparently mayberry is where we liked Andy best.

And of course the tributes are pouring in his television son Ron Howard posted on his Twitter page and I'm quoting here his pursuit of excellence in the joy he took.

In creating -- generations and shape my life I'm forever grateful rest in peace and and President Obama issued this statement quoting.

Andy was beloved by generations of fans and revered by entertainers who followed in his footsteps.

He brought us characters from sheriff Andy Taylor to Ben Matlock and in the process warm the hearts of Americans everywhere.

And that he did.

Andy Griffith was 86 years old.

John and we're gonna miss -- Trace Gallagher thanks.

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