Andy Griffith has apparently channeled the unorthodox tendencies of his other TV icon ‘Matlock’ in his recent lawsuit against a Wisconsin man who changed his name from William Harold Fenrick to Andrew Jackson Griffith in hopes of winning the sheriff’s seat in Grant County.
Filed November 3 in US District Court in Madison according to CNN.com, the legal brief alleges that Fenrick violated copyright and trademark laws by adopting Griffith’s moniker made famous in his fictional stint as folksy Mayberry sheriff in the 1960’s series ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’
Fenrick said, "During this campaign I never sold or profited even one nickel from the use of the name Andy Griffith or any item bearing the name Andy Griffith. Everything was a promotional item, and everything was given away for free."
Nonetheless, Griffith’s lawsuit has asked for his political alter-ego to not only change his name back, but to also post disclaimers and publish an apology in Grant County newspapers to ensure he has no association with the legendary TV actor. Griffith also seeks court fees and other undisclosed damages.
Andy Griffith turned 80 last June and recently was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. He took a break from acting following 2001’s Daddy and Them starring and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, but has recently returned to the world of entertainment. He just wrapped production on Waitress and can be heard as the voice of Santa Claus in the now-filming animated musical Christmas is Here Again, due to premier sometime next year according to IMDB.com.
