Andy Griffith owned part of the show. From all the syndication from the 1960's, wouldn't this show have set Griffith up to be incredibly wealthy? So much that he wouldn't not have to work anymore? Like Jerry Seinfeld for example? In the 1970's the show was probably on a hundred different local television stations. Seems to me he should have been worth a hundred million dollars by the time he was on Matlock.

Seems to me after he left the show, things didn't work out like he wanted professionally in the early 1970's and in the seventies did a lot of bit parts on television and TV movies. Seems like TAGS would have set him up so he did not have to work, even with two ex-wives to support.

In the end, Ron Howard probably and more than likely was wealthier than Griffith. But still, this wasn't residuals, he owned part of the show. So why did he really worry about work in the 1970's?

Andy Griffith owned part of the show. From all the syndication from the 1960's, wouldn't this show have set Griffith up to be incredibly wealthy? So much that he wouldn't not have to work anymore? Like Jerry Seinfeld for example? In the 1970's the show was probably on a hundred different local television stations. Seems to me he should have been worth a hundred million dollars by the time he was on Matlock.

Seems to me after he left the show, things didn't work out like he wanted professionally in the early 1970's and in the seventies did a lot of bit parts on television and TV movies. Seems like TAGS would have set him up so he did not have to work, even with two ex-wives to support.

In the end, Ron Howard probably and more than likely was wealthier than Griffith. But still, this wasn't residuals, he owned part of the show. So why did he really worry about work in the 1970's?


Yes, it's likely even factoring in differing economies from the 1960's and 2010's, that Mr. Howard is currently wealthier than Mr. Griffith was after TAGS was done. However; Mr. Griffith was hardly a pauper and let's not forget he was one of the producers of not only his his show but also "Gomer Pyle" which proved to be a good, steady hit (and therefore also got a good piece of the residuals pie on both shows).

Obviously, I can't speak for him and never got to meet him. However; I believe that like his protege Mr. Howard himself, Mr. Griffith was someone who felt the need to work as long as his health held out not just to supplement his already comfortable income but to help him feel alive doing what he ultimately loved. Yes, I know that Mr. Griffith was ALSO quite capable of playing VERY hard,too, but I think he likely felt more secure to use his skills to entertain several more generations than he minimally had to to have survived.

He was wealthy enough to own numerous antique cars and a nice private estate on the eastern coast of North Carolina

I think it's illuminating to consider Andy's comment that Matlock was his favorite role. So we see that he continued to pursue TV work that he found personally fulfilling, not just lucrative. (Another plus was the chance to work with stunningly beautiful female co-stars...!)

I think it's illuminating to consider Andy's comment that Matlock was his favorite role. So we see that he continued to pursue TV work that he found personally fulfilling, not just lucrative. (Another plus was the chance to work with stunningly beautiful female co-stars...!)
In addition, with Matlock, Mr. Griffith was able to do something that he could not do with The Andy Griffith Show, that is, hire African-American actors and actresses to play leading roles. He wanted to do this on The Andy Griffith Show from the very beginning, but he was barred from this owing to the fact that, this being before the Civil Rights laws were passed, many southern CBS affiliates would have boycotted the show.

I think it's worth mentioning that his commercial work, notably for Nabisco's Ritz Crackers, provided another source of income long after TAGS had ended.

Also regarding his '70s work, not all of the parts were in any way "bit" roles. For example, when he did an episode of Hawaii Five-O, his character was central to the story.

He guest starred on many shows in the 70's and also starred in a lot of TV Movies.

Just because he was wealthy didn't mean he wanted to give up acting.

Look at Lucille Ball: she was wealthy from the sale of Desilu to Paramount, and she immediately formed her own production company and did yet another series. Some people just like to work, especially when it involves fame. Do you think that George Clooney needs to work any more? Brad Pitt?

My children and our family are the recipients of Andy's great talents, as they love the Frosty the Snowman animated shows, especially "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" which is narrated by Griffith! Andy died before my daughter was born, and we have just started watching TAGS with them as well, they love the characters. Andy was human just like the rest of us, and I am thankful to God that he continued to share his talents with the world