Andy Griffith remembered by Ron Howard, President Obama and more
(CBS News) Celebrities have released statements and taken to Twitter to remember beloved TV actor Andy Griffith, who died at his home in North Carolina on Tuesday. He was 86.
Griffith was known for portraying the wise sheriff in CBS' "The Andy Griffith Show" and the defense lawyer in "Matlock."
Read more: Andy Griffith dead at 86Read more: Andy Griffith - A life in music
Pictures: Andy Griffith, 1926-2012
Pictures: Andy Griffith remembered
Director/actor Ron Howard rose to fame in the 1960s as a child actor on "The Andy Griffith Show," in which he played Opie, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, portrayed by Griffith.
Upon hearing the news of the actor's death, Howard tweeted and also released a statement to Deadline.com, explaining: "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."
President Barack Obama also released a statement about Griffith: "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."
Here's a look at some celebrity tweets:
