RALEIGH, N.C. — Andy Griffith, who made homespun Southern wisdom his trademark as the wise sheriff in “The Andy Griffith Show” and the rumpled defense lawyer in “Matlock,” died Tuesday. He was 86.

Andy Griffith's kids followed in his acting footsteps during their early years Best known as a TV dad, actor Andy Griffith also had two children of his own: son Andy “Sam” Griffith Jr. and daughter ...

Andy Griffith, who parlayed his youth in rural North Carolina into an award-winning television and film acting career, died Tuesday at his home in Manteo following an illness. He was 86. His family ...