Andy Griffith said that fate played a big role in his success

"If I had come along at any other time, I wouldn't have made it."

CBS Television Distribution

It's not recommended to leave everything up to chance. Success is based on hard work and determination. However, it does seem that every now and again, the stars align, and the universe gives you something good just for the thrill of it. In those moments, it's best to just sit back and enjoy your luck.

While Andy Griffith's career was primarily based on his talent and mettle, there also was a healthy sprinkling of luck there as well.

In an interview with the News and Record, Griffith revealed that the role that put him on the map, Will Stockdale of No Time for Sergeants, was earned on a particularly lucky day when he auditioned.

While Griffith gave it his all, he lacked any real acting experience that might flesh out his resume. However, Griffith had something that none of the other men auditioning had: punctuality.

"I got the part, but I found out later that I got it because I got there before anybody else did," he said. "The only acting experience I had was three Gilbert and Sullivans and one dramatic play at college, plus working in The Lost Colony."

Griffith certainly believed that there was some luck involved in his success, arguing that when he became famous, he was simply in the right place at the right time. "If I had come along at any other time, I wouldn't have made it," he said. "Just think, I was on Broadway just two and a half years after I started out. How many people does that happen to? The public must have been ready for somebody like me at the time."

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2 Comments

williammay 1 month ago
I remember having the comic book, No Time for Sergeants. The neighbor had the "What it was, was football" record.

I have the July 1954 newspaper clipping of the "Deacon" Andy Griffith ad for Club 98, Panama City Beach (newspapers.com).
FrankensteinLover 1 month ago
What a Career it led into, forever a television icon.
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