Showbiz411

The news about the death of Andy Griffith is sweeping the internet and trending high on Twitter. It’s possible that Griffith, star of his own self titled show, was the most beloved actor left in “Hollywood.” He died in his native North Carolina. But from Mayberry to “Matlock” to all his movies–including “A Face in the Crowd”–Griffith had a long and distinguished career. Director Ron Howard, who played Andy’s son Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show,” Tweeted: “Andy Griffith His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life I’m forever grateful RIP Andy.” Everyone else is gone from that show now. But its small town lessons and genial stories remain fresh as ever. RIP Andy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaLQMs_VDLw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2iHXC1IHfI

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.