Actor Andy Griffith dead at 86

Update

Less than five hours after actor Andy Griffith passed away on Tuesday, his family buried his body in his native North Carolina.

Griffith passed away around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday on Roanoke Island and by 11:30 a.m. he was buried.

Why the speedy funeral?

It is believed the quick funeral was the actor’s last wish.

Original story

Actor Andy Griffith, who was best known for his role as Ron Howard’s father on the TV show “The Andy Griffith Show” died early this morning at the age of 86.

An ambulance was called to Griffith’s Roanoke Island home in North Carolina around 7:00 a.m. where EMTs found him unresponsive.

The actor was rushed to a local hospital, where he died.

The actor’s death was confirmed by his friend Bill Friday, who is the former UNC president.

The cause of death is not yet known.