Another one gone

Daniel Politi has a Slate article about Andy Griffith:

Actor Andy Griffith (photo) died this morning in his home in North Carolina, Dare County Sheriff J.D. “Doug” Doughtie confirmed early this afternoon. Local television stations had reported the news in the morning, but most national networks and wire services awaited independent confirmation before asserting that the actor had died. "Griffith passed away this morning at his home peacefully and has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island," Doughtie told the Associated Press, reading from a family statement. Ron Howard, who played Griffith's son on the Andy Griffith Show wrote on Twitter: "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations and shaped my life I'm forever grateful. RIP, Andy."Griffith underwent quadruple heart-bypass surgery in 2000 and had hip surgery in 2007 after a fall, reports USA Today.

Rico says that neither Griffith nor Howard were ever among his favorite actors (and that's being generous about their talent), but a lot of people liked their stuff...