History of Andy Griffith in Timeline
Andy Griffith was a multifaceted American entertainer, spanning acting, comedy, television production, singing, and writing. He was known for his Southern charm and folksy characters. Griffith initially gained recognition in films like 'A Face in the Crowd' and 'No Time for Sergeants,' but he achieved enduring fame through his television roles. He starred as Andy Taylor in the iconic sitcom 'The Andy Griffith Show' and later as Ben Matlock in the legal drama 'Matlock,' both roles solidifying his place in television history.
1945: Initiated into Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
In 1945, while a student at the University of North Carolina, Andy Griffith was initiated as a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a national social music fraternity for men.
August 22, 1949: Married Barbara Bray Edwards
On August 22, 1949, Andy Griffith married Barbara Bray Edwards, and they adopted two children.
1955: Began friendship with Don Knotts in "No Time for Sergeants"
In 1955, Andy Griffith's friendship with Don Knotts began when they co-starred in the Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants".
1957: Son Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. was born
In 1957, Andy Griffith and Barbara Bray Edwards' son, Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. (Sam Griffith), was born.
1960: Began friendship with Ron Howard
In 1960, Andy Griffith's friendship with child actor Ron Howard began when they guest-starred in the episode of Make Room For Daddy that led to the formation of The Andy Griffith Show the same year. They starred together in most of the show's episodes for eight seasons, portraying father and son.
1965: Don Knotts left "The Andy Griffith Show"
In 1965, Don Knotts left "The Andy Griffith Show" after being a regular for five seasons but periodically returned for guest appearances.
1972: Divorced Barbara Bray Edwards
In 1972, Andy Griffith and Barbara Bray Edwards divorced.
1973: Married Solica Cassuto
In 1973, Andy Griffith married Solica Cassuto, a Greek actress.
1975: Co-starred in "Hearts of the West"
In 1975, Andy Griffith co-starred with Jeff Bridges in the comedy "Hearts of the West", playing a crusty old 1930s western actor. The film flopped at the box office.
1980: Starred in "The Yeagers"
In 1980, Andy Griffith starred in "The Yeagers", a short-lived Dynasty-inspired television series, playing a family patriarch.
1981: Divorced Solica Cassuto
In 1981, Andy Griffith and Solica Cassuto divorced.
October 9, 1982: Comedy cameo on Saturday Night Live
On October 9, 1982, Andy Griffith made a comedy cameo on the Saturday Night Live program hosted by Ron Howard.
April 12, 1983: Married Cindi Knight
On April 12, 1983, Andy Griffith and Cindi Knight married after they met while she was a cast member of The Lost Colony, and they remained married until Griffith's death.
April 1983: Diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome
In April 1983, Andy Griffith was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and could not walk for seven months.
1984: Appeared in "Fatal Vision"
In 1984, Andy Griffith appeared as an attorney in the NBC miniseries "Fatal Vision", a role considered a precursor to his role in Matlock.
1985: Appeared in "Rustlers' Rhapsody"
In 1985, Andy Griffith appeared alongside Tom Berenger as a gay villainous colonel and cattle baron in the Western comedy spoof "Rustlers' Rhapsody". This film also flopped at the box office.
1985: Starred in "Crime of Innocence"
In 1985, Andy Griffith starred in the television film "Crime of Innocence", portraying a hateful and vindictive judge.
1986: Co-starred in "Return to Mayberry"
In 1986, Andy Griffith and Ron Howard co-starred in the TV special "Return to Mayberry", in which the now-adult Opie is about to become a father.
1986: Starred in "Under the Influence"
In 1986, Andy Griffith starred in the TV movie "Under the Influence", playing an alcoholic, abusive patriarch.
1988: Don Knotts joined "Matlock"
From 1988 to 1992, Don Knotts had a recurring role on "Matlock" alongside Andy Griffith.
1989: Turned down a senate run
In 1989, Andy Griffith declined an offer by Democratic Party officials to run against Jesse Helms, a Republican Senator from North Carolina.
1992: Don Knotts left Matlock
From 1988 to 1992, Don Knotts had a recurring role on "Matlock" alongside Andy Griffith, before leaving the series.
1993: Appeared in CBS reunion special
In 1993, Andy Griffith and Ron Howard appeared together in a CBS reunion special.
1995: Starred in "Gramps"
In 1995, Andy Griffith played a dangerous and mysterious grandfather in the television film "Gramps", co-starring John Ritter.
1996: Appeared in "Spy Hard"
In 1996, Andy Griffith appeared as a comical villain in the spy movie spoof "Spy Hard", starring Leslie Nielsen.
1996: Released "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns"
In 1996, Andy Griffith released "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns", a successful album of classic Christian hymns for Sparrow Records, which was later certified platinum by the RIAA.
1996: Son Sam Griffith Died
In 1996, Andy Griffith's son, Sam Griffith, died after years of alcoholism.
1997: Won Grammy Award for "I Love to Tell the Story"
In 1997, Andy Griffith's album "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns" won the Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album.
1999: Starred in "A Holiday Romance"
In 1999, Andy Griffith played the role of Jake Peterson in the television film "A Holiday Romance".
January 2000: Griffith spoke about Knotts in an interview
In a January 2000 interview, Andy Griffith said of Don Knotts, "The five years we worked together were the best five years of my life."
May 9, 2000: Underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery
On May 9, 2000, Andy Griffith underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.
2000: Endorsed Mike Easley for governor of North Carolina
In 2000, Andy Griffith appeared in a last-minute campaign commercial endorsing Democratic Party candidate Mike Easley for governor of North Carolina. Easley won the election, and many credited Griffith's endorsement for stopping his falling poll numbers, dubbing Easley's victory as the "Mayberry Miracle".
2001: Portrayed the patriarch in "Daddy and Them"
In 2001, Andy Griffith portrayed the patriarch of a dysfunctional southern family in the film "Daddy and Them".
2001: Spoke at Mike Easley's inauguration
In 2001, Andy Griffith spoke at the inauguration ceremonies of Mike Easley, who won the election thanks to Griffith's endorsement.
2003: Appeared in CBS reunion special
In 2003, Andy Griffith and Ron Howard appeared together in a CBS reunion special.
November 2006: William Fenrick ran for Sheriff
In November 2006, William Harold Fenrick of Platteville, Wisconsin, legally changed his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff of Grant County.
2006: Visited Don Knotts before his death
In early 2006, Andy Griffith traveled to Los Angeles to visit the terminally ill Don Knotts at Cedars-Sinai just before Knotts died of lung cancer.
May 4, 2007: Judge ruled in trademark dispute
On May 4, 2007, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that Griffith/Fenrick did not violate federal trademark law by changing his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith to run for office.
September 5, 2007: Underwent hip surgery
On September 5, 2007, Andy Griffith underwent hip surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a fall.
2007: Played a diner owner in "Waitress"
In 2007, Andy Griffith played a crusty diner owner in the feature film "Waitress", who takes a shine to Keri Russell's character.
October 2008: Reprised Mayberry roles in online video
In October 2008, Andy Griffith and Ron Howard briefly reprised their Mayberry roles in an online video Ron Howard's Call to Action, posted on Funny or Die.
October 2008: Endorsed Barack Obama
In October 2008, Andy Griffith appeared with Ron Howard in a Funny or Die video endorsement for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
2008: Appeared in Brad Paisley's "Waitin' on a Woman" music video
In 2008, Andy Griffith appeared in country singer Brad Paisley's music video "Waitin' on a Woman".
2009: Starred in "Play the Game"
In 2009, Andy Griffith played the leading role in the romantic comedy independent film "Play the Game" as a lonely, widowed grandfather re-entering the dating world.
2009: Spoke at Bev Perdue's inauguration
In 2009, Andy Griffith spoke at the inauguration ceremonies of Bev Perdue.
July 2010: Starred in Medicare advertisements
In July 2010, Andy Griffith starred in advertisements about Medicare.
2015: Book revealed affair with Aneta Corsaut
According to the 2015 book "Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show", Andy Griffith and Aneta Corsaut had an ongoing affair during their five years working together on The Andy Griffith Show.
2016: Howard recalled Griffith encouraging his scriptwriting
In a 2016 interview with US Magazine, Ron Howard recalled Andy Griffith encouraging his scriptwriting when he was just seven years old, which Howard felt elated by.
Mentioned in this timeline
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
Saturday Night Live SNL is a late-night live sketch comedy...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...
Los Angeles L A is the most populous city in...
Virginia officially the Commonwealth of Virginia is a state located...
Trending
14 days ago New Bay Area Sex Podcast 'SlutStack', Cindy Crawford's Mornings, and Actors' Pay Discussed
9 days ago Hozier to Headline Portland Concerts After Soundside Music Festival Cancellation
Alexis Ayala is a Mexican actor born in America primarily known for his work in telenovelas and Mexican cinema He...
1 hour ago Demi Lovato Reunites with Jonas Brothers for 'Camp Rock' Performance at MetLife!
John F Kennedy Jr son of President John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy was an American attorney magazine publisher and...
Jon Gruden is a well-known figure in American football having served both as a coach and analyst His coaching career...
Popular
Jeff Bezos is an American businessman renowned as the founder...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician and the senior...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...