Celebrity | Andy Griffith Andy Griffith Cause of Death Revealed Heart attack killed 86-year-old star By Rob Quinn Posted Jul 6, 2012 1:38 AM CDT Updated Jul 6, 2012 4:00 AM CDT Copied This Jan. 31, 1983 file photo shows Andy Griffith posing in Los Angeles to promote his film, "Murder in Coweta County." (AP Photo/Wally Fong, file) The death of Andy Griffith earlier this week was caused by a heart attack, according to a death certificate obtained by the AP. The 86-year-old actor suffered the attack 24 hours before his death, and he also suffered from illnesses including coronary artery disease and hypertension, the certificate states. Griffith, as per his wishes, was buried in his family cemetery in North Carolina within a few hours of his passing. Read These Next Disturbing turn of events in case of a teen found dead on a cruise. He was an Olympian. Now he's the FBI's most wanted. Trump on Saudi crown prince's visit: 'We had a big day.' House overwhelmingly votes to release Epstein files. Report an error