His decision to end "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), in 1968, led him to a contract with Universal Studios, where he pursued a movie career.
His ex-"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), co-star's, Ron Howard's mother, Jean Speegle Howard, guest-starred on an episode of Griffith's second long-running show, "Matlock" (1986), in 1987.
His son, Andy Griffith Jr., died of alcoholism, in 1996.
His two children are adopted.
His two children, Andy Griffith Jr. and Dixie Griffith, were from his first wife (of three), Barbara Griffith, as they decided to adopt them.
In 1987 when he accepted the People's Choice Award, he said he was happy it was for "Matlock" (1986). He said that "Matlock" (1986) was his favorite character to date.
In 2010 he appeared in a series of TV commercials advocating for the Health Care Reform bill proposed by President Barack Obama. The commercials were withdrawn after Griffith received hundreds of death threats from opponents of the bill.
Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007.
On Saturday, May 9th, 2000, he successfully underwent a quadruple bypass surgery.
Remained good friends with Ron Howard during and after "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960).
Remained good friends with Clarence Gilyard Jr. and Daniel Roebuck during and after "Matlock" (1986).
Suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and couldn't walk for 7 months. [1983]
Taught English at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina for a period of time.
The town of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show" is based upon Andy Griffith's hometown of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. By the same token, the characters on the show will commonly mention the "sister city" of Mount Pilot. Mount Pilot does exist, but it's true name is Pilot Mountain, and has the same basic geographical positioning to Mt. Airy as Mayberry does to Mount Pilot. The towns in both reality and the series are about 15 miles apart. Both towns (in both universes) are north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina near the North Carolina and Virginia state borders.
Unlike Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason, Griffith hated the idea of using a studio audience for his own sitcom, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), because he felt it would give him and his co-stars pressure to deliver one-liners, so the series was shot like a movie allowing for the actors to have quiet scenes and for the fictional town of Mayberry to feel like a real place.
Was on same stage with Elvis Presley in "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show" (1956). It was Steve Allen's second show, as the host, and the show skyrocketed in popularity.
Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1956, as Best Supporting of Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "No Time for Sergeants," and in 1960 as Best Actor (Musical) for "Destry Rides Again."
While attending high school, he looked up Ed Mickey, who was a minister at Grace Moravian Church, who was also a brass bandleader, who taught Griffith how to play the trombone.
With the death of Don Knotts, on Friday, February 24, 2006, he, 'Jim Nabors (I)', Betty Lynn, George Lindsey, are the only 4 surviving adult cast members of "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960), along with youngest surviving member, Ron Howard.