From People:
TV icon Andy Griffith passed away at his home in Manteo, N.C., Tuesday morning. He was 86.
Andy’s close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday, broke the news to North Carolina’s WITN News, saying Griffith died at his Dare County home around 7:00 a.m.
Born in Mount Airy, N.C., Griffith starred in TV favorites Matlock and The Andy Griffith Show and even made guest appearances on shows including Dawson’s Creek.
Griffith was also a Grammy award-winning southern gospel singer, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush in 2005.
So, so sad. Another American icon is gone. First Dick Clark, now Andy Griffith … who’s next?