Andy Griffith's Heart Scare

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/04/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

"Matlock" star and Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry's alter ego, actor Andy Griffith, 74, underwent quadruple bypass surgery on May 9 "and is now recuperating at home with his wife, Cindi," his spokesman told Reuters. A full recovery is expected, said the rep, who declined to discuss whether or not Griffith had suffered a heart attack. The TV star, whose "The Andy Griffith Show" is still popular in reruns 40 years after its eight-year initial run, lives in Manteo, N.C., about 300 miles from his hometown of Mount Airy, which provided the inspiration for the fictional Mayberry. Griffith also has work plans on his schedule. In September he will appear with Billy Bob Thornton in the movie comedy "Daddy and Them."