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U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with actor Andy Griffith after Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 9, 2005. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg)
U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with actor Andy Griffith after Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 9, 2005. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg) 
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Published: July 4, 2012 at 4:00 AM
By United Press International

The latest news on today's hottest celebrities ...

ANDY GRIFFITH: Television icon Andy Griffith was buried on his family farm in North Carolina hours after he died Tuesday, TMZ reported.

The 86-year-old actor was best known as 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."

A representative for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, N.C., told TMZ Griffith was buried at 11:30 a.m. EDT on his family farm on Roanoke Island, in keeping with his wish to be buried immediately after death.

The celebrity news Web site said Griffith's burial followed a small, private service for close friends and family members.

No cause of death has been announced but Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, who played Griffith's son, Opie, 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."

U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement saying he and the first lady were saddened to hear about Griffith's death.

"A performer of extraordinary talent, Andy was beloved by generations of fans and revered by entertainers who followed in his footsteps," the president's statement said. "He brought us characters from Sheriff Andy Taylor to Ben Matlock, and in the process, warmed the hearts of Americans everywhere. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy's family."

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


TOM CRUISE: Boyishly handsome action hero Tom Cruise spent his 50th birthday working in Iceland Tuesday, days after his third wife, Katie Holmes, filed for divorce.

Holmes moved to end her five-year marriage to Cruise last Thursday. The former couple have a 6-year-old daughter together.

Several weeks ago, before news of the split was made public, Cruise told People.com he planned to spend his milestone birthday with his two best girls near where he has been shooting the movie "Oblivion."

"Iceland is beautiful," Cruise said at the time. "We like hiking, and so we'll have some nice hikes and maybe go camping."


CHRISTINE LAHTI: Emmy Award-winning actress Christine Lahti has been cast in a recurring role on "Hawaii Five-0," CBS said Tuesday.

The show is to begin its third season this fall.

Lahti will portray Doris McGarrett, the thought-to-be-deceased mother of Steve McGarrett, played by Alex O'Loughlin.

"The mysterious character of Doris McGarrett is a pivotal one to the mythology of our show," Executive Producer Peter Lenkov said in a statement, "and we are thrilled to have a seasoned and beloved actress such as Christine to portray her. She's a wonderful addition to the 'H5-0' family and the fans will certainly enjoy what we have in store for her. Let's just say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Lahti earned her first Oscar nomination for "Swing Shift," and then took the statue home 10 years later as a first-time director for her short film "Lieberman in Love."

In 1998, Lahti won both the Emmy and her second Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Dr. Kathryn Austin on TV's "Chicago Hope."


LINDSAY LOHAN: Lindsay Lohan's publicist says the actress has finished shooting her TV movie "Liz & Dick" in Los Angeles.

Lohan, who turned 26 Monday, plays screen icon Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime bio-picture, which is to air Nov. 3 on the cable network.

"Lindsay successfully wrapped late last night and the movie is done," her representative, Steve Honig, told E! News Tuesday.

"Thank you for all the birthday wishes! Also -- that's a wrap on Liz & Dick -- thank you to all my fans, crew members, friends & Lifetime!" Lohan said via Twitter Tuesday.

Topics: Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Christine Lahti, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Barack Obama, Lindsay Lohan, Elizabeth Taylor
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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