Griffith starred in Ira Levin 's one-hour teleplay version of '' No Time for Sergeants '' ( March 1955 ) — a story about a country boy in the United States Air Force — on '' The United States Steel Hour '' , a television anthology series . He expanded that role in Ira Levin 's full-length theatrical version of the same name ( October 1955 ) on Broadway in New York City . The role earned him a " Distinguished Supporting or Featured Dramatic Actor " nomination at the 1956 Tony Awards , losing to Ed Begley . He did win the 1956 Theatre World Award , however , a prize given for debut roles on Broadway . " Mr. Griffith does not have to condescend to Will Stockdale " ( his role in the play ) , wrote Brooks Atkinson in '' The New York Times '' . " All he has to do is walk on the stage and look the audience straight in the face . If the armed forces can not cope with Will Stockdale , neither can the audience resist Andy Griffith . " Griffith later reprised his role for the film version ( 1958 ) of '' No Time for Sergeants '' ; the film also featured Don Knotts , as a corporal in charge of manual-dexterity tests , marking the beginning of a lifelong association between Griffith and Knotts . '' No Time for Sergeants '' is considered the direct inspiration for the later television situation comedy '' Gomer Pyle , U.S.M.C. '' His only other New York stage appearance was the titular role in the 1959 musical '' Destry Rides Again '' , co-starring Dolores Gray . The show , with a score by Harold Rome , ran for 472 performances and more than a year . Griffith was nominated for " Distinguished Musical Actor " at the 1960 Tony Awards , losing to Jackie Gleason . He also portrayed a US Coast Guard sailor in the feature film '' Onionhead '' ( 1958 ) . It was neither a critical nor a commercial success
1960 Tony Awards
14th Tony Awards
Andy Griffith