what lawyer is ben matlock based on

by Prof. Cathryn Boyer DDS 4 min read

attorney Bobby Lee Cook

Who is Ben Matlock?

Benjamin Leighton Matlock is a fictional character from the television series, Matlock, played by Andy Griffith. Matlock is a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney who is worth every penny of his $100,000 fee.

Is Ben Matlock based on a true story?

While the character of Ben Matlock is completely fictional on the television show, it has been rumored that he was actually based on a real southern lawyer who made waves in the courtroom. His name was Bobby Lee Cook, and he was based in a small mountain town in Georgia, rather than Atlanta like Matlock.

What was Ben Matlock's first case on the show?

Later Ben recalled that Tate was his favorite professor and that he owed the professor a lot. ( The Professor ) Ben Matlock's first big case was defending a black cook, Cyrus Jordan (portrayed by Stan Shaw) in 1962, who was accused of murdering the sheriff in Mt. Harlan.

Why did Matlock stop being a lawyer?

Well, the main reason for this was because Dr. Mark Sloan from Diagnosis: Murder had advised Matlock to invest his life savings in the eight-track tape industry. The industry never really took off, and this left Matlock somewhat destitute. Therefore, he could only afford cheap suits and hot dogs until his legal career picked up again.

What lawyer is Matlock based on?

attorney Bobby Lee CookSUMMERVILLE, Ga. — Famed northwest Georgia attorney Bobby Lee Cook, who made national legal headlines across his decades-long career and is believed to be the inspiration behind the hit TV series "Matlock" has died.

Is Matlock a real lawyer?

The real-life lawyers 'Matlock' was loosely based on In creating the colorful role of high-priced Atlanta attorney Benjamin Matlock, the character's creators didn't have far to look to find inspiration. One template for the role, also from Atlanta, was famed attorney Bobby Lee Cook.

Why did Julie Sommars leave Matlock?

She had a family in California that she didn't want to leave, and Griffith confirmed in an interview that there were no hard feelings when she decided not to continue on the show or make the move to Wilmington to do so. This decision ended up ending her entire acting career.

What lawyer show was Andy Griffith on?

MatlockOn "Matlock," which aired from 1986 through 1995, Griffith played a cagey Harvard-educated defense attorney who was Southern-bred and -mannered with a practice in Atlanta.

What was Andy Griffith worth at his death?

Andy Griffith net worth: Andy Griffith was an American actor and singer who had a net worth of $60 million at the time of his death....Andy Griffith Net Worth.Net Worth:$60 MillionDate of Birth:Jun 1, 1926 - Jul 3, 2012 (86 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:6 ft (1.83 m)2 more rows

Is Andy Griffith still alive?

Deceased (1926–2012)Andy Griffith / Living or Deceased

Why did David Froman leave Matlock?

RESPECTED NEO A&M TEACHERDavid Froman: The longtime theater instructor at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami took a two-decade break to pursue his dream of acting. He appeared on "Matlock," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Cheers," "Simon and Simon," "Hill Street Blues" and in films and other television shows.

Did Nancy Stafford like Andy Griffith?

As a six-year-old girl, she was a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show (1960). Nancy had said on an interview that when she was just a child, she bore a resemblance of Don Knotts in The Incredible Mr.

How tall is Andy Griffith?

6′ 0″Andy Griffith / Height

How old was Andy Griffith when he was on The Andy Griffith Show?

86 years (1926–2012)Andy Griffith / Age at death

How old was Andy Griffith when he did Matlock?

What about family? A: Let me put it this way: Before Griffith began starring as defense attorney Ben Matlock in 1986, the 60-year-old actor-singer-comedian probably knew as much about the law as he did about football in his classic 1953 monologue that helped put him on the map.

Is Bobby Lee Cook still alive?

February 19, 2021Bobby Lee Cook / Date of death

Overview

Legal practice

Ben Matlock had been in practice since the early 1960s, has represented over 400 criminal cases (Diary of a Perfect Murder), and chose his cases based on the belief that his client was innocent. His retainer is $100,000.
Ben Matlock had several assistants over the years, both as lawyers and private investigators. His lawyer assistants were his daughters Charlene Matlock and Leanne MacIntyre as well as Michelle …

Early life

Family

Songs Ben Matlock sings in Matlock

See also

External links

Overview

Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. The show, produced by Intermedia Entertainment Company (first season only), The Fred Silverman Company, Dean Hargrove Productions (called Strathmore Productions in the first two seasons) and Viacom Productions, orig…

Premise

Cast

Changes

Episodes

Program format

See also

External links