50 Interesting Facts About Selena Gomez

1. Selena Marie Gomez is her full name.

2. She was born on 22nd July 1992.

3. Her start as an actress was when she was cast on Barney & Friends at the age of seven.

4. Her mother gave birth to her at the age of 16.

5. Her parents divorced when she was 5 years old.

6. Has four dogs – Chip, Willy, Fina and Wallace.

7. She adopted her dog named Chip from an animal shelter.

8. Selena was discovered by Disney in a nation-wide casting call.

9. Her mother, Mandy Cornett, remarried in 2006 to Brian Teefey.

10. Her name ‘Selena’ means Moon in Greek.

11. She is a huge fan of Johnny Depp.

12. Selena is an only child.

13. Selena received a Mickey Mouse charm necklace as a gift from Disney Channel.

14. Selena appeared in a few episodes of Hannah Montana as Hannah's rival, Mikayla.

15. Selena Gomez is a huge fan of Cheryl Cole and wishes to record a duet with her.

16. Selena's Twitter account is @selenagomez.

17. Selena has said in Go Girl magazine that she would like invent 'Pickle Flavored Gum'.

18. Selena's band members are Greg Garman, Joey Clement, Ethan Roberts, and Dane Forrest.

19. Selena's favourite movie genre is horror.

20. Selena's favourite fruit is mango.

21. Selena loves to surf and skateboard.

22. Selena is working on a film "What Boys Want" which is in the cinemas in 2012.

23. She starred as Grace in Monte Carlo which was released in October 2011.

24. Selena Gomez's album 'A Year Without Rain' was releasedin September 2010.

25. Selena's clothing line "Dream Out Loud" launched on 15th July 2010.

26. Selena had her first kiss when she was 12 years old with Dylan Sprouse.

27. Selena starred in "Ramona & Beezus", which was released on 22nd October 2010.

28. Halloween is one of Selena's favourite holidays.

29. She is currently dating Justin Bieber.

30. Selena's favourite Justin Bieber songs are One Time, Love Me, and Never Say Never.

31. Her Zodiac Sign is Cancer.

32. Selena and Justin Bieber gave a newly-wed couple a wedding to remember — the duo crashed their wedding in Malibu and posed for the camera with the bride and groom.

33. Selena hasn't wear her purity ring since shes been with Justin Bieber.

34. During the National Council of La Raza's ALMA Awards, Selena Gomez won the award for comedy for her performance in Wizards of Waverly Place.

35. Her favourite sport is basketball.

36. She took part in Disney Channel's Earth Day celebration.

37. Selena has a driving licence

38. She drives a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid.

39. Selena and Justin first met in 2009, when Justin's manager called Selena's mother, who's also her manager, to set up a meeting between the two.

40. Selena Gomez protects her voice by drinking olive oil!

41. She and best friend Demi Lovato have matching guitar pick necklaces.

42. Her previous relationship was with Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers.

43. For her 2011 music video "Love You Like A Love Song", Gomez had horses spray-painted pink. This led to accusations from PETA and singer Pink about the treatment of the animals.

44. In June 2011, she released her album "When The Sun Goes Down".

45. She went to Danny Jones Middle School located in Texas.

46. Her favourite band is Paramore.

47. She is named after the famous Tejano singer Selena.

48. Selena's Facebook is: Facebook.com/Selena.

49. Selena has over one million subscribers on YouTube.

50. Her shoe size is 7, as of 2012.

Source: sharegoodstuffs.com

Snoop Dogg evolves into Snoop Lion, claims he is Bob Marley reincarnated (VIDEO)

Rastafarian priests gave Snoop Dogg takes the new identity Snoop Lion during his spiritual awakening, as the music icon records first reggae album.

Snoop went to Jamaica a Dogg but returned a Lion after a religious and artistic awakening.

Rastafarian priests bestowed the new moniker Snoop Lion upon the music icon when he

visited Jamaica in search of "a new path."
"I didn't know that until I went to the temple, where the High Priest asked me what my name was, and I said, 'Snoop Dogg.' And he looked me in my eyes and said, 'No more. You are the light; you are the lion.' From that moment on, it's like I had started to understand why I was there," he explained at a press conference.
Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., Lion has always felt a special connection with Jamaica's most celebrated music legend, according to news.com.au. "I have always said I was Bob Marley reincarnated," Lion said. "I feel I have always been a Rastafari. I just didn't have my third eye open, but it's wide open right now."
This spiritual development has revived Lion's artistic energy. After years in the music industry, rap started to stale for the 40-year-old music icon. Ever since he appeared on the scene with "Doggystyle" in the early 1990s, Snoop has been a prominent player in west coast hip-hop. But Lion welcomes musical change and growth.

"I've been on the top ever since I've been in it," he explained. "I got rap songs that will never die. And that ain't with no disrespect but I'm tired of rap."
While in the studio, he distanced himself from his musical past by referring to Snoop Dogg in the third person. "F*** Snoop Dogg. Don't think about none of the s*** he rapped about: hustling and making money and drug-dealing and shooting. All that s***'ll be out of here," he said to his collaborators in the studio.

With reggae, Lion has the chance create music that all ages can enjoy - from children to his grandparents, who might not have been able to enjoy his harder-edged rap catalogue.

"I'm a wise man in the music industry," he said. "Not that I'll never do rap again because I'm always gonna do what I love, but right now I'm Snoop Lion and I'm having fun with this reggae movement so hopefully you guys will enjoy it as well."

Vice Films - in association with Snoopadelic Films - will release a documentary about the artist's transformation from Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.

Snoop Lion's first single is "La La La."

Source: nydailynews.com

Snoop Dogg changes name to Snoop Lion, says he is Bob Marley reincarnated

Snoop Dogg wants you to know that he's tired of hip-hop, is Bob Marley reincarnated and is embracing reggae instead of the culture of guns he once rapped about.

Also, he's got a new name: Snoop Lion.

The artist said at a news conference Monday in New York that he was "born again" during a visit to Jamaica in February and is ready to make music that his "kids and grandparents can listen to."

The former gangster rapper is releasing a reggae album called "Reincarnated" in the fall. He said that in Jamaica, he connected with Bob Marley's spirit and is now "Bob Marley reincarnated."

Bob Marley's son Rohan attended the conference and gave Snoop his blessing.

"I feel like I've always been Rastafarian," Snoop said of the spiritual Jamaican movement. While there, he said, he visited a temple, was renamed Snoop Lion and was also given the Ethiopian name Berhane, meaning "light of the world."

Snoop didn't explain why he was switching from "Dogg" to "Lion," but it's likely a reference to the Lion of Judah, a religious symbol popular in Rastafarian and Ethiopian culture.

Later, he played five songs for a small crowd, including one called "No Guns Allowed." It features his daughter and includes the lyrics, "No guns allowed in here tonight, we're going to have a free for all, no fights."

"It's so tragic that people are doing stupid things with guns," he said.

Snoop, best known for hits like "Gin and Juice" and "Drop It Like It's Hot," is an avid supporter of marijuana rights and has been banned from entering Norway for two years after trying to enter the country with a small amount last month.

He said that in Jamaica, where he stayed for 35 days, he grew closer to his wife, who saw his transition. He added that he's excited to perform music that his family and children can listen to.

"As a 40-year-old man ... I've got to give them something," he said. "That's what you do when you're wise."

Snoop Dogg said he's not completely retiring from hip-hop but is "tired" of the genre because it is no longer challenging.

"Reggae was calling ... it's a breath of fresh air," he said. "Rap isn't challenging; it's not appealing."

The album was produced by Diplo and will feature Snoop singing. It will be released on Vice Records.

The album will be followed with a documentary of the same name, also produced by Vice. It features Snoop making music and will include some personal elements of his life, a producer of the film said. It will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

A coffee table book about Snoop's rebirth is also in the works.

"It feels like I'm 19 or 20 years old again," he said.

Source: foxnews.com

'Jeffersons' star Sherman Hemsley dies in El Paso

Sherman Hemsley sang Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong and other... (Times file photo)

Television star Sherman Hemsley, who was part of a wave of African-American actors who made inroads on television in the 1970s, died Tuesday at his home in far East El Paso. He was 74.

Hemsley was best known for his exaggerated strut, wisecracks and boisterous attitude while playing the character George Jefferson on the popular sitcom "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985).

Neighbors said the Hemsley they knew was a regular guy who would wave hello and goodbye and who would walk to a nearby Albertsons grocery store because he didn't drive.

"I got a call from one of his staff members. It's very tragic, sad news. I lost a good friend and El Paso lost a good resident," said U.S. Marshal Robert Almonte, who befriended Hemsley when Almonte was with the El Paso Police Department.

"He was a great person," Almonte said. "He loved El Paso. He was living here full time. El Paso was his home."had lived in El Paso off and on for more than 10 years before moving to the city full time. Hemsley, who was involved in local charitable causes, said in a previous interview that he liked El Paso's "peacefulness" compared with Los Angeles.

For the past three to four years, Hemsley lived in a middle-class home with a Spanish-tile roof on Tom Ulozas Drive near George Dieter Drive. Neighbors said Hemsley lived alone.

Hemsley's death was first reported on the celebrity news website TMZ.com, which also said Hemsley's body was found by his nurse, who initially thought he was sleeping. Information on funeral services was not immediately available.

Neighbors reported seeing police at Hemsley's home at about 11 a.m. and seeing a body wheeled out.

"We found out it was Mr. Sherman," said Antonio Ceballos, 25, who lives across the street.

Police Department officials said Hemsley was found dead in his home. A ruling on the cause of death is pending an autopsy and no foul play is suspected, officials said.

A biography on the Internet Movie Database website stated Hemsley was born in Philadelphia in 1938. He served in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Negro Ensemble Company in New York.

In early 1970s, Hemsley was hired by Norman Lear for the role of Archie Bunker's neighbor George Jefferson in "All in the Family."

In 1975, the Jeffersons spun off to their own show when they moved on up to the East Side to a deluxe apartment in the sky.

Lear's shows touched on race relations, poverty and other social issues that had often gone unmentioned on TV.

After "The Jeffersons" ended, Hemsley played a deacon on the NBC sitcom "Amen" (1986-1991). He also had appearances on other TV shows.

"Being in show business is weird," Hemsley said while performing with the 62nd Army Show Band at an El Paso park in 2005.

"You never know what's going to make you popular. What made me popular? That stupid walk," Hemsley said before launching into a rendition of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."

Dave Eller, 62, remembered the day he met the celebrity next door. "I called him 'George.' He said, 'It happens all the time,' " Eller recalled.

Gregory Kennebrew, 52, was surprised the first time he spotted the former TV star walking in his neighborhood.

"I was riding my motorcycle and I saw him walking down the street," Kennebrew said. "I made a U-turn and asked him for a photo. We started talking after that. I was very surprised, shocked because I saw him on 'Amen,' on the Archie Bunker show and, of course, 'The Jeffersons.' "

After that meeting years ago, Kennebrew said he would often chat with Hemsley while giving him rides in a vehicle to the supermarket.

"He was one of the top icons," Kennebrew said. "He made everybody laugh."

source: elpasotimes.com

Christian Bale visits Colorado shooting victims

July 24, 2012: Actor Christian Bale, second right, and his wife Sibi Blazic, right, place flowers on a memorial to the victims of Friday's mass shooting in Aurora, Colo. (AP)

Batman star Christian Bale visited survivors of the Colorado theater shooting Tuesday, and thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Bale visited with little advance warning and also stopped by a makeshift memorial to victims near the movie theater that was showing "The Dark Knight Rises" when the gunfire erupted.

Carey Rottman, one of those injured in Friday's shooting, posted two photos of himself with Bale on his Facebook page.

Janie Bowman-Hayes, assistant vice president of surgical services at sister hospital Swedish Medical Center, said she and co-workers were attending a luncheon at The Medical Center of Aurora to thank staff who tended to victims. "When we got there, then we found out he was there," she said.

Bale, humble and dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, thanked the staff, shook hands and agreed to have his photo taken with employees, Bowman-Hayes said.

"He just said he wanted to come to thank all of us because he has been thinking about this. He knows the whole world has been thinking about this," she said. "He took it upon himself to come and thank us."

An online campaign had urged Bale to visit survivors of the shooting.

Bale, joined by his wife Sibi Blazic, also stopped by a growing memorial near the theater and walked among the 12 crosses erected for each of the slain victims. Many people there didn't realize who he was or chose to leave him alone.

A Warner Bros. spokeswoman told The Denver Post that Bale was representing himself, not the movie studio.

Bale, who stars as Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises," previously issued a written statement saying: "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

President Barack Obama and members of the Denver Broncos also have made hospital visits to some of the survivors.

Bowman-Hayes and her staff cared for patients at both Swedish Medical Center and The Medical Center of Aurora after the shootings, whether it was in the operating room or intensive care unit, or by washing medical instruments.

She said the staff appreciated Bale's visit.

"He did this out of his heart, and you could really tell. It was so sincere," she said. "It was just, `Thank you."'

SOURCE: FOXNEWS.COM

Top 10 Richest Teen Celebrities - 2012

Most people have to work hard a lot in order to earn a million dollars alone and they do so when they’re grey and old. But things are different in the world of entertainment business. Some child and teen actors, actresses and celebrities have already amassed a fortune well beyond their years. So here we have collected the top ten of the best teen celebrities who have already earned a lot of money through entertainment. These top ten celebrities have successfully achieved financial security through their hard work and sheer talent. Take a look...

1. Justin Bieber

As one of the polarizing figures in pop entertainment today, Justin Bieber has already earned a lot of money. You may love him or hate him but there is no denying that Justin Bieber is very popular and he has successfully translated this to a wealth of about $110 million.

Only eighteen years of age, Justin Bieber has records in the Top 100 Billboard and dozens of television and movie appearances. He was discovered on YouTube in 2008 and was directly referred to Usher who then signed him to a recording contract. Bieber was a hit for teen girls to say the least. All seven songs of his debut EP album “My World” charted in the BillBoard Hot 100. As of May 2012, he has sold 15 million albums. His upcoming album is called “Believe” and its first single is “Boyfriend.”

2. Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus, the 19 year old teen celebrity known for her role in Hannah Montana, has a reported net worth of $100 million. She is now exploring more mature roles for her musical and acting career.

Miley entered the entertainment industry when she was eight years old when she joined her father and country music star Billy Rae Cyrus for the TV series “Doc” in 2001. Miley Cyrus has had her share of controversies with her growing fame. She once posed topless for Vanity Fair although she was only 15 years old. For this reason, her pictures jumped in value from $300 to $2,000.

3. Taylor Lautner

With his hulking physique, it may be hard to believe that Taylor Lautner is just 20 years old. Yet he has already an estimated net worth of $40 million and earned $12.5 million for his portrayal of of Jacob Black for the “Twilight Saga” movies.

Taylor Lautner’s Salary in various movies:

• Twilight (2008) - $1,000,000
• New Moon (2009) - $4,000,000
• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010) - $7,500,000 + 2.5% of the profits
• Abduction (2011) - $7,500,000
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011) - $12,500,000 + 7.5% of the gross
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012) - $12,500,000 + 7.5% of the gross

Lautner has been acting since he was eleven years old after his family moved to Los Angeles. He will return in the upcoming The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. He also starred in the 2011 film Abduction.

4. Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas is part of the Disney’s music group The Jonas Brothers and this has helped him accumulate total earnings of $18 million. Most of his earnings came from his television and Broadway performances as well as record sales. He was discovered when he was just six years old as he was having a haircut in a barbershop.

The Jonas Brothers was supposed to be a solo project for Nick who is presently 19 years old. But the record producer liked the collaboration of Nick with his brothers Joe and Kevin. He has now appeared in his own films Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. He also formed a separate group called Nick Jonas and the Administration.

5. Dakota Fanning

Mary Elle’s sister takes the next spot after she earned $4 million for her role in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. Dakota is now an 18-year old blonde bombshell but she has already been active as a celebrity since 1999 by appearing on films such as War of the Worlds, Charlotte’s Web and Man of Fire. Her biggest break however came in 2001 for the American drama film I Am Sam. She has an estimated net worth of $16 million.

6. Angus T. Jones

Angus T. Jones began acting at age 6 for the popular TV show “Two and a Half Men.” Now that he is 17 years old, the Texan actor has a net worth around $15 million. His rate for the aforementioned TV show was $300,000 per episode with a signing bonus of $500,000 for playing the role of Jake Harper in the popular CBS comedy. For his acting acumen, Jones has already won two Young Artist awards and one TV Land Award.

7. Jaden Smith

Like Mary Elle and Dakota Fanning, another celebrity siblings round our top ten. This time it’s Jaden Smith, the 13-year old elder brother of Willow and another child of the celebrity couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. He has reportedly received $5 million for his lead role in the movie “The Karate Kid” with Jackie Chan.

Jaden also starred alongside his dad for the movies “The Pursuit of Happyness” in 2006 and “Men in Black II” in 2002 as a cameo role. He also inherited the melodic voice of his father as he sang in singles of Justin Bieber.

8. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is known by many as the girlfriend of Justin Bieber. But she is a shining star in her own right. She started in the children show “Barney and Friends” where she portrayed the role of Gianna. Gomez is also known for playing Alex Russo in the Disney Channel Emmy Award-winning television series Wizards of Waverly Place. She earned $30,000 per episode of the series.

She pursued a career in music by forming the group “Selena Gomez and the Scene.” Her active music and acting career have helped her amass a fortune pegged at $5.5 million.

9. Willow Smith

Willow Smith may be the daughter of celebrities Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith but she is a celebrity in her own right. Only seven years old, Willow has already earned over $4 million solely on her singing engagements alone. This does not include her appearance in the movie “I Am Legend.”

10. Elle Fanning

Mary Elle Fanning is a 13-year-old actor, model and singer known for earning $1.5 million for the film Super 8. She is the younger sister of Dakota Fanning and started to become visible on the TV screen last year but she started on-screen work since she was three years old. She has an estimated net worth of 2 million.

Source

Actor Ernest Borgnine dead at 95

(CNN) -- Film and television actor Ernest Borgnine, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a lovelorn butcher in 1955's "Marty," has died at age 95, his manager said Sunday.

The thick-set, gap-toothed Borgnine built a reputation for playing heavies in early films like "From Here to Eternity" and "Bad Day at Black Rock." But he turned that reputation on its head as the shy, homely title character in "Marty," taking home the Oscar for best actor -- one of four awards the film claimed.

1955 Oscars: A year of firsts

His manager, Lynda Bensky, said Borgnine died of kidney failure Sunday afternoon. His wife, Tova, and children were at his side at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, she said.

"It's a very sad day," Bensky said. "The industry has lost someone great, the caliber of which we will never see again. A true icon. But more importantly, the world has lost a sage and loving man who taught us all how to 'grow young.' His infectious smile and chuckle made the world a happier place."

Born in Connecticut to Italian immigrants, Borgnine -- originally Ermes Effron Borgnino -- began taking theater classes after serving in the Navy during World War II.

Some things you may not know about Ernest Borgnine

He had joined the service after graduating from high school during the Great Depression and had been discharged in 1941, but re-enlisted after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor launched the United States into World War II.

He made the move to films and then television in 1951, racking up more than 200 credits in projects ranging from the era of live television drama to the children's cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants."

He starred in the 1962-66 sitcom "McHale's Navy," was one of the original celebrities on the game show "The Hollywood Squares" and played William Holden's right-hand-man in Sam Peckinpah's revisionist Western "The Wild Bunch." He also was a regular on the 1980s television drama "Airwolf" and a frequent guest star on a variety of shows.

In addition to his Oscar for "Marty," Borgnine was nominated for three Emmys -- the most recent in 2009, for a guest spot on the hospital drama "ER" -- and won a life achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2010.

Tova Borgnine, whom the actor married in 1973, was his fifth wife. His previous marriages included a brief 1964 union with Broadway legend Ethel Merman that lasted barely a month before the couple separated.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Ron Howard: What I learned from Andy Griffith

Ron Howard shares memories of Andy Griffith and professional and life lessons learned from him.

Andy Griffith, left, and Ron Howard starred together on "The Andy Griffith Show." (File photo / September 8, 1998)

Early in the second season of "The Andy Griffith Show," I ventured a suggestion for a line change to make it sound more "like the way a kid would say it."

I was just 7 years old. But my idea was accepted and I remember standing frozen, thrilled at what this moment represented to me.

Andy asked me, "What you grinnin' at, youngin'?" I said it was the first idea of mine they'd ever said yes to. Without a pause, Andy responded for all to hear: "It was the first idea that was any damn good. Now let's do the scene."

That inclusiveness that allowed a child to truly be a part of something as unique and memorable as"The Andy Griffith Show"is something I will forever be grateful for.

Andy Griffith entertained us for decades on stage, via our radios, sound systems, TVs and up there on the silver screen.Comedy, drama or music, he brought his love of performing to each creative undertaking.

He was known for ending shows by looking at the audience and saying "I appreciate it, and good night." Perhaps the greatest enduring lesson I learned from eight seasons playing Andy's son Opie on the show was that he truly understood the meaning of those words, and he meant them, and there was value in that.

Respect. At every turn he demonstrated his honest respect for people and he never seemed to expect theirs in return, but wanted to earn it.

He taught me a great deal through the examples he set and the approach to our work on the set. I learned about comedic timing, paying off characters in the third act of a story line, and the equal values of both focused rehearsal and, at particular moments, of total chaotic spontaneity.

I saw him lobby against jokes that were admittedly funny but that were at the expense of and undercut the long-term reliability of a character.

I was fortunate to witness and even participate in thousands of minutely detailed creative problem-solving interactions with Andy always tirelessly engaged.

He proved hour by hour, episode by episode that creativity and neurotic angst were in fact not inexorably linked. He led by example and we demonstrated that a cast and company could play practical jokes on one another, laugh 'til they cried and still get 12 pages of the script shot every day while producing a No. 1-rated show.

And, as I look back today, knowing that Andy's vision yielded a show that still airs daily all over the country and holds an absolutely unique place in the annals of its medium, I'm reminded of another lesson taught by example.

Do all that, and don't forget to have as many laughs as you can along the way.

Ron Howard played Sheriff Andy Taylor's son Opie on "The Andy Griffith Show" from 1960 to 1968 beginning when he was 6 years old (he was 5 when the pilot aired in 1959). The young actor was credited on the popular series as Ronny Howard. He appeared again with Griffith in the 1986 TV movie "Return to Mayberry" and last worked with him on behalf of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign on an online political comedy sketch on the Funny or Die website.

Howard went on to become one of Hollywood's top movie directors with such hits as "Splash," "Cocoon," "Parenthood," "Apollo 13," "Ransom" and "A Beautiful Mind," which won four Oscars in 2002 including director and best picture.

Sources: latimes.com

Andy Griffith dead at 86

(CBS News) Actor Andy Griffith, whose portrayal of a rural sheriff in a popular 1960s TV show earned him the title of "America's Favorite Sheriff," died Tuesday morning. He was 86.

His death was confirmed in a statement from the Dare County, N.C., sheriff's office.

Griffith died at his home on Roanoke Island, Dare County, N.C., at approximately 7 a.m.

CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports that while Griffith's long career stretched from nightclubs to radio to movies to music, it was a role as a small-town sheriff that made him beloved to millions of Americans.

Viewers tuned in to "The Andy Griffith Show" not to watch Sheriff Andy Taylor solve big crimes, but to watch him solve the little problems of life in the fictional Mayberry, N.C. Don Knotts played Deputy Barney Fife, and Jim Nabors portrayed Gomer Pyle, the gas pumper. Most critics consider the show, which ran from 1960 to 1968, one of the top four or five sitcoms ever shown on television.

"The Andy Griffith Show" was one of only three series in history to end its run at the top of the ratings. "I Love Lucy" and "Seinfeld" also bowed out on top. Griffith said he decided to end the show "because I thought it was slipping, and I didn't want it to go down further," reports The Associated Press.

Andrew Samuel Griffith was born June 1, 1926, in Mt. Airy, N.C., a town much like Mayberry. As a child, he sang and played slide trombone in the band at Grace Moravian Church. He originally wanted a career as a musician, but his skills as a storyteller, mixed in with lots of country humor, soon came out. His acting career started with the role of Sir Walter Raleigh in Paul Green's outdoor pageant, "The Lost Colony," in Manteo, N.C.

Griffith graduated with a degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949. After graduation, he taught at a high school in Goldsboro, N.C., before moving to New York. He soon became a regular on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Steve Allen Show" in the 1950s. In 1955, he starred in Broadway's "No Time for Sergeants," earning him a Tony nomination for outstanding supporting actor. Two years later, Griffith made his film debut in "A Face in the Crowd," alongside actress Patricia Neal. In 1960, he found himself with another Tony nomination, this time for best actor in the musical, "Destry Rides Again," in 1960.

In 1972, Griffith started his own production company. Throughout the '70s, Griffith continued his TV and film career, appearing in 1975's "Hearts of the West" with Jeff Bridges. He relaunched his 1960s sitcom, rebranding it as the "The New Andy Griffith Show," in 1972. It lasted one year.

Griffith made a big return to television in 1986, playing the title role in the TV legal drama "Matlock, which aired until 1995.

In the 1990s, Griffith also appeared in TV movies, including "Scattering Dad" and "A Holiday Romance."

He made a guest appearance on "Dawson's Creek" in 2001 and had a role in director Adrienne Shelley' 2007 film "Waitress," starring Kerri Russell.

Griffith never forgot about his music roots. He received a Grammy Award for best Southern, country or bluegrass gospel album for "I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns," in 1997.

The actor has been plagued by health issues through the years, suffering a heart attack in 2000, which led to quadruple heart-bypass surgery. In 2007, he underwent hip surgery after a fall.

Griffith recently lost a good friend, actor George Lindsey, who starred on "The Andy Griffith Show." Lindsey died in May at age 83.

At the time, Griffith released a statement saying, "Our last conversation was a few days ago ... I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our eighties, we were not afraid to say, 'I love you.' That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. 'I love you.'"

Griffith was married three times. His first marriage to Barbara Edwards ended in divorce in 1972. They had two children, Sam, who died in 1996, and a daughter, Dixie. He was married to Solica Casuto from 1975-1981. Griffith wed his third wife, Cindi Knight Griffith, in 1983.

"She and I are not only married, we're partners," Griffith said of his wife in 2007, according to The Associated Press. "And she helps me very much with everything."

Griffith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2005.

Sources: cbsnews.com