'The Avengers' breaks box office records

12:37 PM, May 7, 2012   |    comments
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UNDATED (CNN) -- "The Avengers" makes history at the box office, and the television world is bidding farewell to one of its own.

"The Avengers" soared to a record-setting weekend at the box office. Disney estimates that the marvel superhero flick grossed more than $200 million in its debut weekend in the U.S. That's the biggest domestic opening ever, far surpassing last year's "Harry Potter" finale, which brought in close to $170 million in its first weekend in theaters.

"Think Like a Man," based on a best-selling book by Steve Harvey, came in second place, with $8 million in ticket sales. And "The Hunger Games" rounded out the top three.

George Lindsey, best known for playing the country-bumpkin mechanic "Goober Pyle" on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. Lindsey joined the sitcom in 1964, and carried his character over to a spinoff series, "Mayberry, R.F.D." he also spent 20 years as a regular on "Hee Haw." in a statement, Andy Griffith said he had great respect for Lindsey's talent and spirit.

Lindsey passed away after a brief illness, he was 83.