Andy Griffith Dead, Friend of Television Legend Confirms

Television legend Andy Griffith died Tuesday morning at his home in North Carolina. He was 86.

Bill Friday, a friend of Griffith, gave the news to NBC's WITN. Friday said the actor and singer died at his Dare County home at around 7 a.m.

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WITN reports that an ambulance was called to the star's home. Celebrities' site TMZ reported that Griffith had been rushed to the hospital, but the report has not been confirmed.

The television legend was best known for his lead character in the hit show "The Andy Griffith Show" in the 60s for which he earned the title of "America's Favorite Sheriff." The series aired from 1960 to 1968 and never placed lower than seventh in Nielsen ratings.

He also starred in the drama Matlock and in 2005 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

He also rose as a Southern-gospel singer and won a Grammy Award in 1997 for his album "I Love to Tell the Story."

Watch the actor as The Andy Griffith Show below: