There would be too many magazines and cameras, and it just wasn’t a good place for him to be.” “I went to my brother’s funeral service, but my dad wasn’t able to go.
“It affected my dad on a very, very deep level,” said Dixie during an interview with Fox News. It’s reported that he also suffered from other health problems. In 1996, Sam passed away from cirrhosis of the liver, which is a common effect of long-term use of alcohol.
He suffered from alcoholism, and he tragically lost the battle with his addiction at the young age of 38. I have kept a pretty low profile, which I still plan on doing.” Andy Griffith’s Greatest LossĪndy’s late son, Andy Samuel Griffith Jr. My dad was fiercely protective of us,” she says. “Of course, this was before people hid in the bushes outside your door and there were cameras everywhere. Dixie claims paparazzi were hiding in her yard to begin snapping photos. They can start to follow celebrities and their children, constantly taking photos, and not respecting their privacy. She still has animosity towards the paparazzi, which is completely understandable. I didn’t grow up in the spotlight,” explains Dixie. “I could have been on the producer’s roster. Andy’s Daughter Didn’t Want To Be Famousĭixie explains why she chose not to be on The Andy Griffith Show. While married, Andy and Barbara adopted their two children. That’s a pretty great accomplishment and a commendable amount of time. The actor and his first wife, Barbara Bray Edwards were together for 23 years, from 1949 to 1972.