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Iconic TV personality Andy Griffith died one year ago today (July 3).

Griffith, who passed away at age 86, was best known for the characters Sheriff Andy Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show," which ran from 1960 to 1968, and as the title character in the courtroom drama "Matlock," which ran from 1986 to 1995. Griffith also was a regular on the long-running variety show "The Ed Sullivan Show."

He was best memorialized after his passing by President Obama as a "performer of extraordinary talent, [...] beloved by generations of fans and revered by entertainers who followed in his footsteps." Director Ron Howard, who played Opie on "The Andy Griffith Show" as a child, remembered Griffith as someone who "truly changed my life."

Griffith was survived by his wife, Cindi Knight, and his adopted daughter Dixie Nann Griffith.

HollywoodNews.com: Andy Griffith passed away this week at the age of 86 years old, and it seems the cause was a heart attack.

On his death certificate, it has been reported that he suffered a heart attack 24 hours before his passing, states UsMagazine.com. He had allegedly been dealing with coronary artery disease and hypertension before his passing.

He left behind his third wife, Cindi Knight.

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Andy Griffith, the likable and versatile star who famously played a small town sheriff in The Andy Griffith Show, has died. He was 86 years old.

"Andy Griffith passed away, after an illness, during the early morning on July 3 at his home in Manteo, N.C., with his wife Cindi at his side," the star's family said in a statement to Et. "Mr. Griffith has been laid down to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island. His favorite causes were Outer Banks Conservationists and the Griffith Scholarship Fund at Unc-Chapel Hill," the statement added. The TV icon had suffered a heart attack in the past and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2000.

In the 911 call released by authorities in Dare County, Nc, Griffith's wife Cindi reports, "He has lost consciousness, he's drooling out of his mouth..." Another woman then takes the phone and indicates the star's grave condition. "I think he's pretty much... um, he might...

Iconic television actor and gospel singer Andy Griffith has passed away at the age of 86. No cause of death has been confirmed, with the actor being laid to rest on Roanoke Island.

Unc President Bill Friday announced the death, which was later confirmed by the local sheriff. Andy Griffith is survived by his wife, Cindi Knight, who issued the following statement

"Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord. He is the love of my life, my constant companion, my partner, and my best friend. I cannot imagine life without Andy, but I take comfort and strength in God's Grace and in the knowledge that Andy is at peace and with God."

Andy Griffith was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show in the early 50s, but found ever-lasting fame on The Andy Griffith Show,...

Sad news for classic TV fans: legendary actor, director and Grammy-award winner Andy Griffith died this morning at the age of 86 years old. He reportedly died in his home in Virginia.

Not much is known about the cause of death. What is known is the actor's immense talent. Most popular for his role in The Andy Griffith Show, Griffith played widower/sheriff Andy Taylor. The show ran for eight years. After, Griffith started his own production company, which produced five different shows in eight years. 

After recovering from leg paralysis, Griffith then moved on to his second-most popular role, Ben Matlock in the appropriately titled Matlock. The legal drama went on to air for nine years with huge success in syndication.

Griffith also went on to act, produce, write and direct films and television over the next few years as well as record a Southern-gospel album that won him a Grammy.

Sad news for classic TV fans: legendary actor, director and Grammy-award winner Andy Griffith died this morning at the age of 86 years old. He reportedly died in his home in Virginia.

Not much is known about the cause of death. What is known is the actor's immense talent. Most popular for his role in The Andy Griffith Show, Griffith played widower/sheriff Andy Taylor. The show ran for eight years. After, Griffith started his own production company, which produced five different shows in eight years. 

After recovering from leg paralysis, Griffith then moved on to his second-most popular role, Ben Matlock in the appropriately titled Matlock. The legal drama went on to air for nine years with huge success in syndication.

Griffith also went on to act, produce, write and direct films and television over the next few years as well as record a Southern-gospel album that won him a Grammy.

Sad news for classic TV fans: legendary actor, director and Grammy-award winner Andy Griffith died this morning at the age of 86 years old. He reportedly died in his home in Virginia.

Not much is known about the cause of death. What is known is the actor's immense talent. Most popular for his role in The Andy Griffith Show, Griffith played widower/sheriff Andy Taylor. The show ran for eight years. After, Griffith started his own production company, which produced five different shows in eight years. 

After recovering from leg paralysis, Griffith then moved on to his second-most popular role, Ben Matlock in the appropriately titled Matlock. The legal drama went on to air for nine years with huge success in syndication.

Griffith also went on to act, produce, write and direct films and television over the next few years as well as record a Southern-gospel album that won him a Grammy.

The sheriff of Mayberry has passed away. Legendary actor Andy Griffith died Tuesday morning at his home in Dare County, N.C. at the age of 86. Griffith had a remarkable life-long television career starting with playing the lovable sheriff on The Andy Griffith Show, which aired from 1960-1968. Of course, the show launched the career of Ron Howard, who played Griffith's son Opie. Howard took to Twitter to pay tribute to Griffith. "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life. I'm forever grateful. Rip Andy," Howard tweeted.

Griffith found success later in life on the legal drama Matlock, which was on air for 11 years.

In addition to acting, Griffith was a director, producer, and Grammy-award winning Southern-gospel singer. He received a Grammy Award for 1997's "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns." Griffith also had a career on Broadway. He earned...