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Actor Andy Griffith dead at 86

MANTEO, N.C., July 3 (UPI) -- Television icon Andy Griffith died Tuesday in Manteo, N.C., his friend, Bill Friday, former president of the University of North Carolina, confirmed.

He was 86.

The actor was the star of the classic sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show" and legal drama "Matlock." His film credits include "A Face in the Crowd," "No Time For Sergeants," "Angel in My Pocket," "Adams of Eagle Lake," "The Treasure Chest Murder," "Hearts of the West," "Spy Hard," "Waitress" and "Playing the Game."

Friday confirmed his death to WITN-TV, Greenville, but did not identify a cause.

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, who played Griffith's son, Opie, as a child on "The Andy Griffith Show," told Deadline.com Griffith "has not been well for some time."

"His love of creating, the joy he took in it whether it was drama or comedy or his music, was inspiring to grow up around," Howard told Deadline. "The spirit he created on the set of 'The Andy Griffith Show' was joyful and professional all at once. It was an amazing environment."

Tanya Jones, executive director of the Surry Arts Council, which oversees the Andy Griffith Museum, told The Charlotte Observer Griffith "means the world to the arts everywhere -- not just here in Mount Airy."

"We are blessed to have known him. We will cherish is his art, his music, his talent, and of course, our beloved 'Andy Griffith Show,'" Jones said.

Griffith was back in the spotlight this past May when he spoke warmly about his "Andy Griffith Show" co-star George Lindsey, who had recently died.

"Our last conversation was a few days ago," Griffith said in a statement at the time. "We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our 80s, we were not afraid to say, 'I love you.' That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. 'I love you.' "

MSNBC said Griffith is survived by his wife Cindi and his daughter Dixie. His son Andrew Jr., known as Sam, died in 1996.

'Rent' to close off-Broadway Sept. 9

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- The off-Broadway production of the musical "Rent" is to close Sept. 9, its producers announced Tuesday.

Written by the late Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, the show opened at New World Stages Aug. 11. The revival will have played 32 previews and 450 performances when it ends its run.

The original production of "Rent" opened at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre April 29, 1996, following a sold-out, extended limited engagement at off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop. The musical went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical. Additionally, "Rent" is one of only eight musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

It closed Sept. 7, 2008, after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. It is the ninth longest-running show in Broadway history.

HBO renews 'Newsroom,' 'True Blood'

LOS ANGELES, July 3 (UPI) -- U.S. cable network HBO announced it has ordered additional seasons of "The Newsroom" and "True Blood."

EW.com reported the renewals Monday.

"The Newsroom," starring Jeff Daniels, Dev Patel and Emily Mortimer, debuted last month.

The vampire drama "True Blood," with Anna Paquin leading the cast, began its fifth season June 10.

Bon Jovi-inspired fragrances on the way

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- Avon Products says New Jersey-born rocker Jon Bon Jovi will serve as the face of "Unplugged" fragrances for men and women this fall.

"Avon, and the Avon Foundation for Women, have given support and a voice to those in need for decades," Bon Jovi said in a statement. "Their philosophy of empowerment sends a strong message and I'm pleased to partner with them."

"Jon's music and philanthropic work celebrate independence and optimism, two beautiful qualities that radiate from within," said Lily DeStefano, vice president of Avon North America Beauty. "The 'Unplugged' scents evoke an emotional connection -- something Jon inspires in audiences around the world."

"Unplugged for Her," described as "a floral oriental fragrance," will be available in October. The male version of "Unplugged" is said to be "a woody floral musk scent," available in November.