RIP Andy Griffith.

Didn't get to meet Andy Griffith, but during my nine years of doing background (extra) work, I remember being part of at least one episode of MATLOCK. Besides the legendary THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, I would recommend the 1975 old Hollywood comedy/drama HEARTS OF THE WEST, Elia Kazan's 1957 A FACE IN THE CROWD and the 1983 TV-movie MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY (paired with co-star Johnny Cash) as examples of what Griffith could do as an actor outside of the reassuring Andy Taylor/Ben Matlock image. And, within that image, Griffith had a late-career triumph in the comedy/drama WAITRESS, from a few years back.