Andy Griffith's Acting Legacy

[GAA_Admin]

From the time he gave a country preacher's recounting of a college football game, actor Andy Griffith ’49 became an American icon, famous for creating homespun heroes such as Mayberry's Sheriff Andy Taylor and big-city lawyer Ben Matlock. What do you think will be his legacy as an actor?

[uncjsch1948]

When I was Alumni Director at Carolina back in the 1970s, we created a slide show which won a first place prize nationally. It was narrated by Andy Griffith. He did it enthusiastically and with no compensation--just his love for his Alma Mater. I'm sure his professional delivery with an easily recognized voice helped us win that award!

Clarence Whitefield

[t88ice]

Class of '82. Will miss my icon Andy Griffith. As a marching Tarheel will miss the
Pregame monologue at Kenan. With love, RIP Andrew.

[hankhowell]

Andy taught at my high school from '49 to 52'. My brother (UNC '57) applied to "I've Got A Secret" with the secret that "I was taught High School English by Andy Griffith." He never got on the show.

I took a senior trip to NYC in '56 and Andy was starring in "No Time For Sargeants" on Broadway. Clifton Britton ("Mr.B") was the drama teacher at the high school and a great friend of Andy's. Mr. B directed "The Lost Colony" for many summers, including the years that Andy protrayed Sir Walter Raleigh. We went to see Andy at the stage door of the play and Andy came to the window on the second floor and greeted all of us. He invited "Mr. B" to a party after the play that night, encouraging Mr. B by saying Margaret Truman would be there. When Mr. B reminded Andy that she had just announced her engagement, Andy replied, "Oh shoot, that's all right. I bet she ain't even had her blood test yet!"