Actor Andy Griffith has died at the age of 86. Best known as the friendly sheriff of Mayberry, the actor celebrated a stellar tv and film career. Here’s director Ron Howard, who played Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, on the reaction of Griffith’s death:
His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around. The spirit he created on the set of The Andy Griffith Show was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment. And I think it was a reflection of the way he felt about having the opportunity to create something that people could enjoy. It was always with respect and passion for the opportunity and really what it could offer people in a very unpretentious and earthy way. He felt he was always working in service of an audience he really respected and cared about. He was a great influence on me. His passing is sad. But he lived and a great rich life. – Ron Howard on the death of Andy Griffith