It’s a sad day in the town of Mayberry. Andy Griffith, who played the wise and well-meaning town sheriff Andy Taylor on the 1960′s sitcom, “The Andy Griffith Show” has passed away at the age of 86.

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The news of Griffith’s death was originally reported by North Carolina NBC affiliate WITN.  The station received word from one of Griffith’s friends, former University of North Carolina President Bill Friday. Friday informed that Griffith passed away Tuesday morning around 7 a.m. at his home.

According to WITN, Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in music.

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People Magazine reported that the beloved actor originally wanted to be an opera singer or a preacher, but turned to acting in college. He received his big break as a monologist on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and later as the star of his own sitcom.

According to Biography.com, “The Andy Griffith Show,” which ran for eight years on CBS, was one of the most popular shows of its time, spurring stars such as Ron Howard and Don Knotts.

Howard, who played Sheriff Taylor’s son Opie on the show, said Griffith “shaped his life.”

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

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 3, 2012

The man who became known as “America’s Favorite Sheriff” will forever remain one of television’s most cherished icons. He will be missed.