Andy Griffith is a North Carolina icon. He will be missed in that state.

He received the President's Medal of Freedom. He was born and died in North Carolina and is a favorite son.


He and Ron Howard were always in touch with each other regarding family.

Andy Griffith liked the Democrats and was featured in commercials with winning Governor's Mike Easley and Bev Purdue. He spoke at both their inauguration ceremonies. He was onced asked to run against Jessie Helms, but, declined the request. He also promoted Medicare with ads for seniors.


It is well known within The Andy Griffith Show there is a town called Mount Pilot. It was adapted from the famous icon of North Carolina Pilot Mountain. The theme of the show was very much 'tiny town' USA where everyone knew each other, tolerated each other in joy of living and honored each other by upholding moral values.



Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The town enjoys that iconic status with an annual celebration called, "Mayberry Days." This year Mayberry Days is in September from the 27th to the 30th.


Mayberry Days (click here) is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for the fans who long for the days when life was simple and the sheriff didn't carry a gun. Enjoy a bottle of pop while playing checkers, relax to music from many local bands playing the same songs that Andy grew up with and performed on The Andy Griffith Show. There is so much to do during the festival such as watching the parade, meeting the Special Guests, laughing at Colonel Tim's Talent Time, placing the high bid at a Silent Auction or taking in all of the music at the many venues. Remember to to take time to slow down and enjoy what Mayberry means to you.


Kenneth "Otis" Junkin and David Browning "The Mayberry Deputy" on parade.


While Andy Griffith was best known for his role in the town of Mayberry, he had a very distinguished, interesting acting career. While playing the Sheriff of Mayberry his training showed through. He was adaptable to many tones throughout the TV series. He was the most flexible of all the characters and why the show revolved around him.

...If he had done nothing else, “The Andy Griffith Show” was great, (click title to entry - thank you) enduring television. On the surface, it was about a bunch of rubes in small-town North Carolina and their comic situations. But everybody who watched the show knew it was really about friendship, family, and doing the right thing. It was very smart, and it was very funny. There are many  reasons why it has endured for a half-century in reruns while so many other shows came and went without leaving footprints.

The folks of Mayberry had their flaws, flaws they couldn’t always recognize in themselves. In other words, they were like all of us. But when push came to shove, they always looked out for each other. It was something viewers connected to no matter where they lived. And it’s a hard to imagine a more likeable pairing of actors could ever exist than Griffith and Don Knotts....


Andy Griffith was genuine. Andy Griffith was a one of a kind. Andy Griffith will be missed.