President Obama
"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."
Governor Jim Hunt
"Andy Griffith was North Carolina through and through. He personified our rural, small town heritage. But on radio, TV, and in films he made it big time.
He was my personal friend and I cherished all that he did in "Mayberry" and on the Outer Banks to bring attention and fame to North Carolina.
We will keep watching him as long as re-runs continue on television and be glad that he discovered football in his alma mater's Kenan Stadium so many years ago."
Sen. Kay Hagan
Andy Griffith was an iconic figure and a great man who embodied southern hospitality. By making 'Mayberry' famous, he put North Carolina -- his home state -- on the map. A native of Mount Airy, Andy did so much for our state and will be missed by North Carolinians and by the millions of people who adored him, especially for his roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Andy will truly be missed.
Sen. Richard Burr
"Brooke and I were very sad to learn of the passing of Andy Griffith today. Andy was a true North Carolina icon who introduced many people across the country and across the world to our great state for the first time. While his passing is sad, the legacy he leaves through his work on television and in his community will remain timeless, and future generations will be able to enjoy and appreciate his talent for years to come."
Gov. Bev Perdue
"North Carolina has lost its favorite son. Andy Griffith graciously stepped into the living rooms of generations of Americans, always with the playful charm that made him the standard by which entertainers would be measured for decades.
Throughout his career, he represented everything that was good about North Carolina: a small town boy and UNC graduate who took a light-hearted approach to some of the attributes he grew up with and turned them into a spectacularly successful career. And regardless of where that career took him, he always came back to North Carolina and spent his final years here.
In an increasingly complicated world, we all yearn for the days of Mayberry. We all will miss Andy, and I will dearly miss my friend."
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton
"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Andy Griffith, a true legend. I have been a longtime fan and it was my pleasure to come to know him. Andy Griffith was not only an icon for North Carolina, but he was a genuine person and a true gentleman. Lucille and a send our thoughts and prayers to Cindi and the entire Griffith family."
N.C. Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development
"Andy Griffith was a great North Carolinian, and he made countless contributions to tourism in our state. His hometown of Mt. Airy, the real-life Mayberry, continues to charm nostalgic visitors from all over the world. After playing the role of Sir Walter Raleigh in "The Lost Colony" in Manteo, Griffith loved the Outer Banks so much that he made his permanent home there. His hit show "Matlock," filmed at Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington as well as many other locations along the North Carolina coast, gave an early boost to the state's film industry. Griffith's first public performance of "What It Was Was Football" was in a ballroom at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. Andy Griffith embodied the immense pride that so many North Carolinians feel about our home state, and we will miss him dearly."
Ron Howard
"His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations and shaped my life. I'm forever grateful. RIP Andy."
