Andrew Samuel "Andy" Griffith (1926-2012) was an American actor, television producer, and singer, an icon of American television. He is best known for his starring roles in two highly successful series: *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960-1968), in which he played the idealized Sheriff Andy Taylor, and *Matlock* (1986-1995), in the role of the shrewd defense attorney Ben Matlock. His career began successfully on stage and in film; his film debut was in Elia Kazan's dramatic film *A Face in the Crowd* (1957), which showcased his versatility. For his performance in the Broadway comedy *No Time for Sergeants*, he received a Tony Award nomination. In addition to acting, Griffith had a successful career as a gospel singer, winning a Grammy Award in 1997 for the album *I Love to Tell the Story*. In 2005, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for his contribution to American culture.