What Killed Andy Griffith? - CBS News

(CBS/AP) RALEIGH, N.C. - A heart attack caused the death of 86-year-old actor Andy Griffith, according to a death certificate filed Thursday with the vital records office in Dare County, N.C.

The certificate, signed by Dr. Johnny Farrow of Manteo, N.C., says Griffith had suffered the attack 24 hours before he died at his home at 7 a.m. Tuesday. It also says he had suffered for years from other illnesses, including coronary artery disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, which can be a form of high cholesterol or high triglycerides.

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The actor suffered an earlier heart attack in 2000, which led to quadruple heart-bypass surgery. In 2007, he underwent hip surgery after a fall. Griffith also had Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause sudden paralysis.

The death certificate says the actor is buried in the Griffith Family Cemetery in Manteo. Griffith was interred less than five hours after he died. A funeral director told CNN that the burial on Roanoke Island took place at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The arrangements were planned a while ago and had the blessing of the family, the director said.

Griffith was best known for playing Sheriff Andy Taylor in "The Andy Griffith Show," which aired from 1960 to 1968. He was born in Mount Airy and lived in Manteo.

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