Andy Griffith Commemorative Speech

Andy Griffith Commemorative Speech 11/18/12 We come together today in memory of the light of America, A very generous, inspiring, caring, and moral man. Today we celebrate his life as a as actor, singer and writer. He was married three times with 2 children that were adopted during his first marriage. He is best known for two memorable characters as a small town sheriff and defense lawyer. The Famous Andrew Samuel Griffith, Born in June 1926 and passed away in July 2012 at the age of 86. We are here today to remember his life, being a star actor and inspiring others. A performer of extraordinary talent, Andy was beloved by generations of fans and revered by entertainers who followed in his footsteps. He brought us characters from Sheriff Andy to Ben Matlock, and in the process warmed the hearts of Americans everywhere. ” said Obama. Andy entertained the world, and inspired all of our lives. As we all have heard the famous theme song to the Andy Griffith show, I know at one point or another you have went around for days whistling the lovely tone. Andy played a role of a gentle small town sheriff, along with his best friend Don Knotts; they were like two peas in a pod in Mayberry, North Carolina.
It was a top rated show in the 1960’s. After Staring in the hit The Andy Griffith Show, he stared in the 1980’s to 1990s show, in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Andy first appeared on television in 1955 on the show, no time for sergeants, on the US steel hour. Andy had a love for music, starting from a young age. Even though as a baby, Griffith lived with relatives until his parents could afford to buy a home. He slept in dresser drawers for several months because they had no crib or bed for him. When he was three, his father began working as a carpenter and purchased their first home.
Andy said growing up, “the fellas- and worse the gals, used to laugh at me. It seemed to me they laughed at me all the time, not with me, mind you, at me. ” The happiest times he had as a child was being in his bedroom, alone, where no one could jeer or poke fun at him. This is when he realized that he could control the others laughter when he said something funny. He loved to listen to music, and comical stories that his father had told him. Which Inspired him with the since of humor and love for music. In high school he became a part of the drama club, played the trombone and also sang in the church choir.

Being and excellent role model, he was a high school teacher for drama and music. When Ron Howard was 5 years old Andy inspired Ron’s life tremendously. Ron said, “His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around. The spirit he created on the set of The Andy Griffith Show was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment. And I think it was a reflection of the way he felt about having the opportunity to create something that people could enjoy.
It was always with respect and passion for the opportunity and really what it could offer people in a very earthy way. He felt he was always working in service of an audience he really respected and cared about. He was a great influence on me. His passing is sad. But he lived and a great rich life. ” Griffith being a fairly healthy man his first major health problem happened in 1983, when he was diagnosed with Gullain- Barre’ syndrome and he was unable to walk for 7 months, but did fully recover. In 2000 he had a heart bypass and 2007 he had surgery on his hips.
Shortly after Andy had a heart attack, while he was recovering, he flew to California to speak at Ron Howard’s mother’s funeral. This is how much of a friend he was. To me Andy has been excellent, inspiring, role model. He always was inspiring others to be as best as they could, he always went above and beyond every ones expectations. Andy’s motto was, “I do not want the public to laugh at us, I want them to laugh with us. ” I think that America fulfilled this in his 86 years of life. I am going to end this just like Andy left all his crowds with these three words “I appreciate it! ”