MANTEO, N.C. (WAVY) - UNC President Bill Friday says beloved television star Andy Griffith has died in North Carolina Tuesday.
Emergency medical crews responded to Griffith's Tuesday morning, Dare County Sheriff J.D. "Doug" Doughtie told WAVY.com .
Griffith's home is located along Highway 64 in Roanoke Island.
Friday, a close friend of Griffith's confirmed his death to WITN. He said Griffith's secretary called him Tuesday morning and said Griffith passed away at 7 a.m.
Several WAVY News 10 viewers in the Dare County area said the call went out shortly after 7 a.m. Officials have not released the nature of that call.
Andy Griffith, 86, was well known for his starring role on the television hit named after him, "The Andy Griffith Show", which first aired in 1960. Griffith portrayed a small-town sheriff and the show was one of the most popular series in television history.
