Andy Griffith Dead at Age 86

RIP. It's so sad to see another great actor from my childhood pass away.
People Magazine Obituary

UPDATE: President Obama on Andy Griffith ~ so sweet! Yes, our generation has lost a father-figure. :(
Via TPM

Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Andy Griffith this morning. A performer of extraordinary talent, Andy was beloved by generations of fans and revered by entertainers who followed in his footsteps. He brought us characters from Sheriff Andy Taylor to Ben Matlock, and in the process, warmed the hearts of Americans everywhere. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy’s family.

He was probably the best Southern actor because even when we thought he was being cornball, it still had a ring of authenticity and dignity, and he never had to fake his accent because he was from Mt. Airy, NC. He was the everyman Southerner - witty, clever, and sometimes profound.  His great gift was the ability to be straight man and let other comedians shine. And let's not forget he was also a talented musician, as well as a dramatic actor in Elia Kazan's "A Face in the Crowd."

In heaven, Andy and Don Knotts (Barney Fife) are down at the Snappy Lunch having the special -

BARNEY: I don't know how they do it for 80 cents.

ANDY: I don't either, I tell you.

BARN: Three Vienna sausages-heavy on the tomato puree, slice of bread, and butter on a paper dish.

ANDY: And more than an ample portion of succotash. Don't leave out the succotash.

Then they'll drive the police car to Wally's Filling Station where George Lindsey (Goober Pyle) will offer them a coke or a nectarine crush from the cooler, and they'll set around talk about their next fishing trip or something funny Howard McNear (Floyd the Barber) said. Oh, and he'll show up too after a while, and they'll meet Aunt Bee, Thelma Lou, Helen, and Opie at the picture show. The movie playing is either something with Gregory Peck or "The Monster from Out of Town."

RIP, dear Andy Taylor.