http://twitter.com/#!/deftlyinane/status/220156038287065088

TMZ reports that legendary actor Andy Griffith died today. He was 86.

Andy Griffith, an icon of TV, has died … this according to Andy’s close friend, former UNC President Bill Friday.

Griffith, who became famous for “The Andy Griffith Show,” passed away at his home in Manteo, North Carolina this morning.

Friday broke the news to WITN News in North Carolina.

Griffith also starred in “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “Matlock.” In 2005 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush.

Fans, friends and celebrities are flooding Twitter with remembrances.

Just heard that Andy Griffith died. Sad.

— Dr. Ruth Westheimer (@AskDrRuth) July 3, 2012

An iconic and wonderful actor has left us. RIP Andy Griffith~

— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) July 3, 2012

#andygriffith was one of my faves how many times did i watch andy of mayberry and wish i could ramble down to the fishing pond?

— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) July 3, 2012

Andy Griffith His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life I'm forever grateful RIP Andy

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 3, 2012

My favorite Andy Griffith performance… A Face in the Crowd #mindblown Rest in Peace

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) July 3, 2012

Learned a lot from The Andy Griffith Show. Good fun. Will be missed. He was a national treasure.

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) July 3, 2012

RIP to my favorite actor of my favorite TV show of all time, Andy Griffith. An exceptionally talented man. I loved his work!

— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) July 3, 2012

RIP dear Andy, you brought so much enjoyment to so many of us. I will miss you!

— Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) July 3, 2012

Rest in Peace, Andy Griffith.

— Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) July 3, 2012

Andy Griffith… Truly a GREAT actor. "A Face in the Crowd" Brilliant. "the Andy Griffith Show" Genius. A true talent… RIP

— Jon Lovitz (@realjonlovitz) July 3, 2012

I hear a familiar whistle up here. RIP, Andy Griffith.

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) July 3, 2012

A sad day for Mayberry. RT @BuzzFeed: "BREAKING: Andy Griffith dies at age 86"

— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) July 3, 2012

<== Heart Broken. I don't want to hear any crap about commercials RT @dmataconis Sad news RT @mpoppel: BREAKING — Andy Griffith has died

— Nels (@debitking) July 3, 2012

RIP Andy Griffith. You were never better than when you built a spaceship in your backyard. #Salvage1

— Brian Faughnan (@BrianFaughnan) July 3, 2012

Andy Griffith has died at 86. Very few actors star in a hit TV series. Griffith starred in 2. The cosmic all-stars just received a giant.

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) July 3, 2012

I grew up on The Andy Griffith show. It was a household favorite. A sad day for America

— Demetrius Minor (@dminor85) July 3, 2012

I often note while most sit-coms of 60s & esp. 70s fail when viewed now, the Andy Griffith Show remains as funny, charming & sweet as ever.

— John Kraft (@JohnKinATL) July 3, 2012

While conservatives disagreed with Griffith’s political leanings and didn’t care for his promotion of Obamacare, many continue to admire his television work.

Didn't like politics Andy Griffith espoused in later years, but he was a 20th Century TV-icon & symbol of Southern grace in difficult times.

— John Kraft (@JohnKinATL) July 3, 2012

https://twitter.com/RileyRebel129/status/220167869651103744

R.I.P., Andy Griffith. Good, long life. No fan of his politics. Huge fan of his work.

— Dave Kwiecinski (@HawkFanDave) July 3, 2012

https://twitter.com/Clinton_Wood/status/220162605661163521

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/07/03/a-sad-day-in-mayberry-television-icon-andy-griffith-dead-at-86/