R.I.P. Andy Griffith. Dead at 86.

Andy Griffith, the southern folksy actor who played two iconic tv characters in a 50 plus year entertainment career passed away this morning at age 86. He died at his North Carolina home this morning, according to TMZ. Griffith played Sheriff Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968, and was Ben Matlock on Matlock from 1985 to 1996.

Here's the full story from highly respected TMZ "Andy Griffith Dead at 86" Considering Griffith was over the age of 34, I'm actually surprised someone at TMZ knew who he was, but that's another story for another time.

and, Merv Griffin is still dead.