Don Knotts: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Jesse Donald Knotts''' (July 21, 1924{{snd}}February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff [[Barney Fife]] on the 1960s sitcom ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'', ~~a 1960s sitcom~~ for which he earned five [[Emmy Award]]s.{{r|don|p=18}}~~<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0461455/awards|title=Don Knotts|publisher=IMDb}}</ref>~~ He also played [[Ralph Furley]] on the ~~highly rated<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1980.htm|title= TV Ratings > 1980's|website= classictvhits.com|date= July 22, 2023}}</ref>~~ sitcom ''[[Three's Company]]'' from 1979 to 1984. He starred in multiple comedic films, including ~~the~~ leading roles in ''[[The Incredible Mr. Limpet]]'' (1964) and ''[[The Ghost and Mr. Chicken]]'' (1966). In 2004, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked him number 27 on its "50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite book |title = TV Guide Guide to TV |year = 2004 |publisher = Barnes and Noble |isbn = 0-7607-5634-1 |page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/596 596] |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/596 }}</ref>

Knotts was born in [[West Virginia]], the youngest of four children. In the 1940s, before earning a college degree, he served in the [[United States Army]] and in [[World War II]]. While enlisted, he chose to become a [[Ventriloquism|ventriloquist]] and comedian as part of a [[G.I.]] variety show, ''Stars and Gripes''.

After the army, he got his first major break on television inon the [[soap opera]] ''[[Search for Tomorrow]]'', where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He ~~then~~ gained wide recognition as part of the repertory company on [[Steve Allen]]'s variety show, where he played the "extremely nervous man" in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews. In 1958, Knotts made his film debut in the adapted version of ''[[No Time for Sergeants (1958 film)|No Time for Sergeants]]''.

Knotts was cast as deputy Barney Fife on television's ''The Andy Griffith Show'', which ran from 1960 to 1968. He reprised the character inon other shows, such as ''[[The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)|The Joey Bishop Show]]'' and ''[[Return to Mayberry]]''. Knotts won five [[Emmy Award]]s for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy]].

== Early life ==

Knotts was born in [[Morgantown, West Virginia]], the youngest of four sons of farmer William Jesse Knotts and his wife Elsie Luzetta Knotts (née Moore), who were married in [[Spraggs, Pennsylvania]]. His English paternal ancestors emigrated to America in the 17th century, originally settling in [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland]]. His brothers were named Willis, William, and Ralph (who was called "Sid").{{r|vise}}

Knotts's mother was 40 years old at his birth. His father, who had [[schizophrenia]] and alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inward at an early age. His father died of [[pneumonia]] when Knotts was 13. He and his brothers were ~~then~~subsequently raised by their mother, who ran a [[boarding house]] in Morgantown. She died in 1969 at age 84. Her son William preceded her in death in 1941 at age 31. They are buried in the family plot at Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown.<ref name=vise>{{cite book |last = de Visé |first = Daniel |date = 2015 |title = Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show |pages = 3–7 |location = New York |publisher = Simon & Schuster |isbn = 978-1-4767-4773-6 }}</ref>

Knotts graduated from [[Morgantown High School]]. After enlisting in the [[United States Army]] and serving in [[World War II]],<ref name=drill>{{cite web |url = http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/knotts.asp |title = Don Knotts—Marine Drill Instructor? |publisher = [[Snopes.com]] |date = September 24, 2015 |access-date = August 30, 2016 }}</ref> he earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in education with a minor in [[speech therapy|speech]] from [[West Virginia University]] in Morgantown, graduating in 1948.<ref name="WVU Alumni">{{cite web |url = https://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/don_knotts |title = Academy of Distinguished Alumni |publisher = West Virginia University |access-date = February 12, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222060936/https://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/don_knotts |archive-date = February 22, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> He was a member of [[Phi Sigma Kappa]] fraternity at WVU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity |url=https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/phi-sigma-kappa-fraternity/ |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=University of Tennessee Knoxville |language=en-US}}</ref>

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== Career ==

=== Early career ===

Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a [[ventriloquist]] and comedian at various church and school functions.{{r|don|p=5}} After high school, he traveled to New York City to try to make his way as a comedian, but when his career failed to take off, he returned home to attend West Virginia University. After his freshman year, he joined the U.S. Army and spent most of his service entertaining troops.<ref name=drill /> He toured the western [[Pacific Islands]] as a comedian, in a [[G.I.]] variety show called "''Stars and Gripes"''.<ref name=biography>{{cite web |url = http://www.biography.com/people/don-knotts-9542240 |title = Biography of Don Knotts |website = biography.com |access-date = February 8, 2017 }}</ref> His [[ventriloquist]] act included a dummy named Danny, ~~which~~that Knotts grew to ~~hate—and~~hate and eventually threw overboard, according to friend and castmate [[Al Checco]].{{r|don|p=7}}

Knotts served in the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's [[Special Services (entertainment)|6817th Special Services Battalion]].<ref name="togetherweserved">[https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=SBVTimeLine&type=Person&ID=24171 T/5 Don Knotts - Military Timeline] army.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021.</ref> He was discharged at the rank of [[Technician fifth grade|Technician Grade 5]], ~~then~~ equivalent toat athe time to [[corporal]].<ref name="togetherweserved"/> During his service, he was awarded the [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]], the [[Philippine Liberation Medal]], the [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]] (with four bronze [[service star]]s), the [[American Campaign Medal]], the [[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Army Good Conduct Medal]], the Army [[Marksmanship badges (United States)|Marksman Badge]] (with an [[M1 Carbine]]) and the [[Honorable Service Lapel Button|Honorable Service Lapel Pin]].{{r|don|p=18}}<ref name="togetherweserved"/>▼

After being demobilized, Knotts returned to West Virginia University and graduated in 1948. He married Kay Metz and moved back to New York, where connections that he had made in the Special Services Branch helped him to break into show business. In addition to doing stand-up comedy at clubs, he appeared on radio, eventually playing the wisecracking, know-it-all character "Windy Wales" on a radio Western called "''[[Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders]]"''.<ref name=obituary>{{cite web |url = http://www.legacy.com/ns/don-knotts-obituary/16845505 |title = Don Knotts Obituary |website = legacy.com |date = February 25, 2006 |access-date = February 8, 2017 }}</ref>▼

▲Knotts served in the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's [[Special Services (entertainment)|6817th Special Services Battalion]].<ref name="togetherweserved">[https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=SBVTimeLine&type=Person&ID=24171 T/5 Don Knotts - Military Timeline] army.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021.</ref> He was discharged at the rank of [[Technician fifth grade|Technician Grade 5]], then equivalent to a [[corporal]].<ref name="togetherweserved"/> During his service, he was awarded the [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]], the [[Philippine Liberation Medal]], the [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]] (with four bronze [[service star]]s), the [[American Campaign Medal]], the [[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Army Good Conduct Medal]], the Army [[Marksmanship badges (United States)|Marksman Badge]] (with an [[M1 Carbine]]) and the [[Honorable Service Lapel Button|Honorable Service Lapel Pin]].{{r|don|p=18}}<ref name="togetherweserved"/>

Knotts got his first break on television on the soap opera ''[[Search for Tomorrow]],'' where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He came to fame in 1956 on [[Steve Allen]]'s variety show as part of Allen's repertory company, most notably in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews, always playing an extremely nervous man. He remained with Allen through the 1959–1960 season.

▲After being demobilized, Knotts returned to West Virginia University and graduated in 1948. He married Kay Metz and moved back to New York, where connections he had made in the Special Services Branch helped him break into show business. In addition to doing stand-up comedy at clubs, he appeared on radio, eventually playing the wisecracking, know-it-all character "Windy Wales" on a radio Western called "[[Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders]]".<ref name=obituary>{{cite web |url = http://www.legacy.com/ns/don-knotts-obituary/16845505 |title = Don Knotts Obituary |website = legacy.com |date = February 25, 2006 |access-date = February 8, 2017 }}</ref>

Knotts got his first break on television in the soap opera ''[[Search for Tomorrow]],'' where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He came to fame in 1956 on [[Steve Allen]]'s variety show, as part of Allen's repertory company, most notably in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews, always playing an extremely nervous man. He remained with Allen through the 1959–1960 season. From October 20, 1955, through September 14, 1957, he appeared with [[Andy Griffith]] in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] stage version of ''[[No Time for Sergeants]]'', ~~where~~in which he played two roles, listed onin the ~~playbill~~''[[Playbill]]'' as a Corporal Manual Dexterity and Aa Preacher.<ref>{{cite web |title = No Time for Sergeants: Opening Night Cast |work = [[Playbill (magazine)|Playbill]] |date = January 1956|url=https://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000150-aea2-d936-a7fd-eef607bc0006&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=1|access-date=July 22, 2020 }}</ref> In 1958, he made his movie debut with ~~[[Andy~~ Griffith]] in the film version of ''[[No Time for Sergeants (~~1958~~ film)|No Time for Sergeants]],'' ~~where~~in which he reprised his Broadway role, ~~and played~~playing a high-strung [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] test administrator whose routine is disrupted by the hijinks of a provincial new recruit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No Time For Sergeants (1958) -- (Movie Clip) Manual Dexterity |url=http://www.tcm.com/video/336465/no-time-for-sergeants-1958-movie-clip-manual-dexterity |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=www.tcm.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''The Andy Griffith Show'' ===

[[File:Andy Griffith Don Knotts 1960.JPG|thumb|As Barney Fife, Knotts gets the help of Sheriff Taylor when his gun gets stuck on his finger.]]

[[File:DonKnotts1961.jpg|thumb|Knotts receives his first [[Emmy Award]] for ''The Andy Griffith Show'', 1961.]]

In 1960, Andy Griffith was offered the opportunity to headline his own sitcom, ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1960–1968). Knotts took the role of [[Barney Fife]], the deputy—and originally cousin—of Sheriff [[Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show)|Andy Taylor]] (portrayed by Griffith). Knotts's portrayal of the deputy on the popular show earned for him five Emmy Awards for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy]].<ref>{{cite book |last = Monush |first = Barry |title = Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the Silent Era to 1965 |volume = 1 |year = 2003 |publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn = 1-55783-551-9 |page = 397 }}</ref>

A summary of the show from the website of the [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]] describes Deputy Barney Fife:

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When the show first aired, Griffith was intended to be the comedic lead with Knotts as his [[straight man]], similar to their roles in ''No Time for Sergeants''. However, it was quickly discovered that the show was funnier with the roles reversed. As Griffith maintained in several interviews, "By the second episode, I knew that Don should be funny, and I should play straight."<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Beck |first1 = Ken |last2 = Clark |first2 = Jim |title = Mayberry Memories: The Andy Griffith Show Photo Album |edition = 40 |year = 2000 |publisher = Thomas Nelson Inc |isbn = 1-55853-830-5 |page = 6 }}</ref>

Knotts believed remarks by Griffith that ''The Andy Griffith Show'' would end after five seasons, and he began to look for other work, signing a five-film contract with [[Universal Studios]]. In his autobiography, Knotts admitted that he had not yet signed the contract when Griffith announced his decision to continue the series; but he had made up his mind to move on, believing that he would not get the chance again. Knotts left the series in 1965. His character's absence on the show was explained by Deputy Fife's having finally made the "big time,", joining the [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], North Carolina, police force.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Beck |first1 = Ken |last2 = Clark |first2 = Jim |title = The Andy Griffith Show Book |edition = 3 |year = 2000 |publisher = Macmillan |isbn = 0-312-26287-6 |page = 129 }}</ref>

=== Post-Mayberry film career ===

[[File:Andy Griffith Ernie Ford Don Knotts Andy Griffith Special 1967.JPG|thumb|On a 1967 Andy Griffith special, Knotts plays the outraged wife of [[Tennessee Ernie Ford]], as Griffith looks on.]]

Knotts went on to star in a series of film comedies that drew on his high-strung persona from the television series:. heHe had a [[cameo appearance]] in [[United Artists]]' ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'' (1963), and starred in [[Warner Bros.]]' ''[[The Incredible Mr. Limpet]]'' (1964). Knotts ~~then~~ began his Universal five-film contract with ''[[The Ghost and Mr. Chicken]]'' (1966), followed by ''[[The Reluctant Astronaut]]'' (1967), ''[[The Shakiest Gun in the West]]'' (1968), ''[[The Love God?]]'' (1969) and ''[[How to Frame a Figg]]'' (1971).{{r|don|p=11}} ~~After making ''How to Frame a Figg'', Knotts' five-film contract with Universal finished.~~

Knotts reprised his role as Barney Fife several times in the 1960s:. heHe made five guest appearances on ''The Andy Griffith Show'' (~~gaining him~~earning another two Emmy Awards), and he ~~later~~ appeared once on the spin-off ''[[Mayberry R.F.D.]]'', ~~where~~in which he was present as [[best man]] for the marriage of Andy Taylor and his longtime love, [[Helen Crump]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Elkin |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Betty Lynn, Mayberry's Thelma Lou, passes away |url=https://www.elkintribune.com/news/33250/betty-lynn-mayberrys-thelma-lou-passes-away |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=The Elkin Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102121652/https://www.elkintribune.com/news/33250/betty-lynn-mayberrys-thelma-lou-passes-away |url-status=dead }}</ref> He continued to work steadily, ~~though~~although he did not appear as a regular on any successful television series until in 1979, when he ~~got~~took the part of landlord Ralph Furley on ''[[Three's Company]]'' ~~for seasons 4 through 8, after the departure of [[Norman Fell]], who had played the previous landlord~~.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 15, 1998 |title=Actor Norman Fell, landlord on 'Three's Company,' dies |url=https://www.deseret.com/1998/12/15/19417989/actor-norman-fell-landlord-on-three-s-company-dies |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Knotts served as the spokesman for [[Dodge]] trucks and was featured prominently in a series of print ads and dealer brochures. On television, he ~~went on to host~~hosted a variety show/sitcom hybrid on [[NBC]], ''The Don Knotts Show'', which aired on Tuesdays during ~~the fall of~~autumn 1970, but the series was low-rated and short-lived, and Knotts was uncomfortable with the variety show format.{{r|don|p=12}} He also made frequent guest appearances on other shows, such as ''[[The Bill Cosby Show]]'' and ''[[Here's Lucy]]''. In 1970, he appeared as a Barney Fife-like police officer in the pilot of ''[[The New Andy Griffith Show]]''. In 1972, Knotts voiced an animated version of himself in two episodes of ''[[The New Scooby Doo Movies]]'': "The Spooky Fog of Juneberry", in which he played a lawman resembling Barney Fife, and "Guess Who's Knott Coming to Dinner". He appeared as Felix Unger in a stage version of [[Neil Simon]]'s ''[[The Odd Couple (play)|The Odd Couple]]'', with [[Art Carney]] as Oscar Madison, and toured in the Neil Simon comedy ''[[Last of the Red Hot Lovers]]''.{{r|don|p=13}}

Beginning in 1975, Knotts was teamed with [[Tim Conway]] in a series of [[slapstick]] films aimed at children, including the [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]] film ''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang (film)|The Apple Dumpling Gang]]'' (1975) and its sequel, ''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]'' (1979). They also did two independent films, the boxing comedy ''[[The Prize Fighter]]'' (1979), and the mystery-comedy ''[[The Private Eyes (1980 film)|The Private Eyes]]'' (1980). Knotts co-starred in several other Disney films, including ''[[Gus (1976 film)|Gus]]'' (1976), ''[[No Deposit, No Return]]'' (1976), ''[[Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo]]'' (1977) and ''[[Hot Lead and Cold Feet]]'' (1978).

=== ''Three's Company'' ===

In 1979, Knotts returned to series television ~~in his second most identifiable role,~~as the wacky but lovable landlord [[Ralph Furley]] on ''[[Three's Company]]''.{{r|don|p=13}} The series, which was already an established hit, added Knotts to the cast when the original landlords, [[Stanley ~~Roper|Stanley]]~~ and [[Helen Roper]] (a married couple played by [[Norman Fell]] and [[Audra Lindley]], respectively), left to star in their own short-lived spin-off series ''[[The Ropers]]''.

On the set, Knotts easily integrated himself into the already established cast, who were, as [[John Ritter]] put it, "so scared" of Knotts because of his star status. When [[Suzanne Somers]] left the show after a contract dispute in 1981, the writers started giving the material meant for Somers's Chrissy to Knotts's Furley.{{cn|date=July 2024}} Knotts remained on the series until it ended in 1984. The ''Three's Company'' script supervisor, Carol Summers, became Knotts's agent and often accompanied him to personal appearances.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

=== Later years ===

In 1986, Knotts reunited with Andy Griffith in the made-for-television film ''[[Return to Mayberry]]'', reprising his Barney Fife role.{{r|don|p=161}} In early 1987, he joined the cast of the first-run ~~syndication~~syndicated comedy ''[[What a Country!]]'', as Principal Bud McPherson, for its remaining 13 episodes. It was produced by Martin Rips and Joseph Staretski, who had previously worked on ''Three's Company''.{{cn|date=July 2024}} From 1988 until 1992, Knotts joined Andy Griffith on [[Matlock (TV series)|''Matlock'']] in the recurring role of pesky neighbor Les Calhoun.{{r|don|p=169}}

~~After~~His ~~that,~~roles ~~his~~became ~~roles were~~more sporadic, including a [[cameo appearance]] in the film ''[[Big Bully (film)|Big Bully]]'' (1996) as the high school principal. In 1998, he had a small but pivotal role as a mysterious TV repairman in ''[[Pleasantville (film)|Pleasantville]]''.{{r|don|p=15}} That year, his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Avenue ([[U.S. Route 119 in West Virginia|U.S. Route 119]]) to Don Knotts Boulevard on "Don Knotts Day".{{r|don|p=18-19}} Also on that day, in honor of Knotts's role as Barney Fife, he was named an honorary deputy sheriff with the [[Monongalia County, West Virginia|Monongalia County]] Sheriff's Department.▼

~~In 1988, Knotts joined Andy Griffith on TV's [[Matlock (TV series)|''Matlock'']], in the recurring role of pesky neighbor Les Calhoun, until 1992.{{r|don|p=169}}~~

▲After that, his roles were sporadic, including a [[cameo appearance]] in the film ''[[Big Bully (film)|Big Bully]]'' (1996) as the high school principal. In 1998, he had a small but pivotal role as a mysterious TV repairman in ''[[Pleasantville (film)|Pleasantville]]''.{{r|don|p=15}} That year, his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Avenue ([[U.S. Route 119 in West Virginia|U.S. Route 119]]) to Don Knotts Boulevard on "Don Knotts Day".{{r|don|p=18-19}} Also that day, in honor of Knotts' role as Barney Fife, he was named an honorary deputy sheriff with the [[Monongalia County, West Virginia|Monongalia County]] Sheriff's Department.

Knotts was recognized in 2000 with a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].{{r|don|p=15}} He continued to act on stage, but much of his film and television work after 2000 was as voice talent. In 2002, he appeared again with [[Scooby-Doo]] in the video game ''[[Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights]]''. (He also spoofed his appearances on that show in various promotions for [[Cartoon Network]], and in a parody on ''[[Robot Chicken]]'', where he was teamed with [[Phyllis Diller]].) In 2003, he teamed up again with [[Tim Conway]] to provide voices for the direct-to-video children's series ''[[Hermie and Friends]]'', which continued until Knotts' death. In 2005, he was the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in ''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]'' (2005), his first Disney movie since 1979. On September 12, 2003, he was in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], in a stage version of ''[[On Golden Pond (play)|On Golden Pond]],'' when he received a call from [[John Ritter]]'s family telling him that his former ''Three's Company'' co-star had died that day of an [[aortic dissection]] ~~that day~~.{{Citation needed|date=~~December~~July ~~2010~~2024}} He and his co-stars attended the funeral four days later. Knotts had appeared with Ritter ~~one~~for ~~final~~the ~~time~~last ~~earlier~~time in 2003 in a cameo on ''[[8 Simple Rules]]|8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter]],'' in an episode that paid homage to their ~~earlier~~previous television series. Knotts was the last ''Three's Company'' star to work with Ritter.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

During this period of time, [[macular degeneration]] in both eyes caused the otherwise robust Knotts to become virtually blind.{{cn|date=July 2024}} His live appearances on television were few. In 2005, he parodied his Ralph Furley character while playing a [[Paul Young (Desperate Housewives)|Paul Young]] variation in a ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' sketch on ''[[TV Land Award|The 3rd Annual TV Land Awards]]''. He parodied that part one final time in "Stone Cold Crazy", an episode of the sitcom ''[[That '70s Show]],'' ~~where~~in which he played the landlord. It was his last live-action television appearance.{{cn|date=July 2024}} His final role was in ''[[Air Buddies]]'' (2006), a direct-to-video sequel to ''[[Air Bud]]'', voicing the sheriff's deputy dog Sniffer.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

== Personal life ==

Knotts's friend [[Al Checco]] said, "Don was somewhat of a ladies' man. He fancied himself something of a [[Frank Sinatra]]. The ladies loved him and he dated quite a bit."{{r|don|p=11}} Knotts was married three times. His marriage to Kathryn Metz lasted from 1947 until their divorce in 1964. They had a son, Thomas Knotts, and a daughter, actress [[Karen Knotts]] (born April 2, 1954). After they divorced, Knotts raised his daughter as a single parent.{{r|don|p=11-12}} He married Loralee Czuchna in 1974; they divorced in 1983. His third marriage was to Frances Yarborough, from 2002 until his death in 2006.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

Knotts struggled with [[hypochondria]] and [[macular degeneration]].<ref name="biography" /><ref name="Obit">{{cite news |last1 = Collins |first1 = Scott |title = Don Knotts, star of 'The Andy Griffith Show,' dead at 81 |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/25/nation/la-na-donknotts-obit/2 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120705025612/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/25/nation/la-na-donknotts-obit/2 |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 5, 2012 |access-date = July 19, 2017 |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = February 25, 2006 }}</ref> [[Betty Lynn]], one of his co-stars on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', described him as a "very quiet man. Very sweet. Nothing like Barney Fife."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Eury|first=Michael |author-link=Michael Eury|date=Summer 2018|title=Meet Thelma Lou: An Interview with Betty Lynn|magazine=RetroFan |issue=1|page=57 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> TV writer [[Mark Evanier]] called him "the most beloved person in all of show business".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsfromme.com/2006/02/25/don-knotts-r-i-p/|title=News From ME - Mark Evanier's blog|website=www.newsfromme.com}}</ref>

== Death ==

[[File:Statue of Don Knotts, ~~grave~~Metropolitan ~~at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Brentwood, California,cropped-rotated-perspective~~Theatre.jpg|thumb|Statue of Don Knotts', Metropolitan ~~grave~~Theatre]]

[[File:Don Knotts grave at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Brentwood, California,cropped-rotated-perspective.jpg|thumb|Knotts's grave]]

Knotts died at age 81 on February 24, 2006, at the [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] in Los Angeles from pulmonary and respiratory complications of [[pneumonia]] related to [[lung cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-donknotts-obit-story.html|title=Don Knotts, star of 'The Andy Griffith Show,' dead at 81|date=July 3, 2012|author=Scott Collins|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 14, 2022}}</ref> He underwent treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the months before his death, but returned home after reportedly feeling better. He was buried at [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery|Westwood Memorial Park]] in Los Angeles.

Knotts's obituaries cited him as a major influence on other entertainers. In early 2011, his grave's plain granite headstone was replaced with a bronze plaque depicting several of his movie and television roles. A statue honoring him, created by [[Jamie Lester]], was unveiled on July 23, 2016, in front of The Metropolitan Theatre on High Street in his hometown of [[Morgantown, West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wvpublic.org/post/don-knotts-statue-unveiled-morgantown |title = Don Knotts Statue Unveiled in Morgantown Knotts |website = wvpublic.org |date = July 25, 2016 |access-date = February 8, 2017 |archive-date = August 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804054408/https://www.wvpublic.org/post/don-knotts-statue-unveiled-morgantown |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Virginian | first=Cliff Nichols Times West | title=Against the Odds | website=Times West Virginian | date=December 1, 1969 | url=https://www.timeswv.com/news/against-the-odds-morgantown-sculptor-jamie-lester-portrays-the-man-don-knotts-over-characters-he/article_5d54a690-94ea-11e6-a8a5-cb6bd7e18415.html | access-date=December 12, 2021}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

The following are Don Knotts's acting credits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don Knotts |url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/103772%7C39667/Don-Knotts/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=www.tcm.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Film ===

Line 168 ⟶ 171:

|1976

|''[[No Deposit, No Return]]''

|Bert Delaney

Line 188 ⟶ 191:

|1978

|''Mule Feathers''

|Narrator /, The Mule (voices)

~~|Voice Role~~

|1979

|''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]''

|Theodore Ogelvie

Line 213 ⟶ 216:

|1987

|''[[Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night]]''

|Gee Willikers (voice)

~~|Voice Role~~

|1991

|''Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas''

|Titus (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Short Film

Line 228 ⟶ 231:

|1997

|''[[Cats Don't Dance]]''

|T.W. Turtle (voice)

~~|Voice Role~~

|1998

Line 243 ⟶ 246:

|2004

|''Hermie & Friends: Flo the Lyin' Fly''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Short Film

|2004

|''Hermie & Friends: Webster the Scaredy Spider''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Short Film

|2005

|''Hermie & Friends: Buzby, the Misbehaving Bee''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Short Film

|2005

|''Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Direct-to-Video

|2005

|''[[Chicken Little (2005 film)|Chicken Little]]''

|Mayor Turkey Lurkey (voice)

~~|Voice Role~~

|2006

|''Hermie & Friends: Stanely the Stinkbug Goes to Camp''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Direct-to-Video

|2006

|''Hermie & Friends: To Share or Nut to Share''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

~~|Short Film~~

|2006

|''[[Air Buddies]]''

|Sniffer (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Direct-to-Video

Line 292 ⟶ 295:

|''[[Search for Tomorrow]]''

|Wilbur Peterson

|~~series~~Series regular

|1957–1960

|''[[The Steve Allen Show|The Steve Allen Plymouth Show]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|~~series~~Series regular (108 episodes)

|1958

|''[[The Bob Cummings Show]]''

|Flash Grushkin

|Episode: "Bob and Schultzy at Sea"

|1958

|''[[I've Got a Secret]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "09.03.1958"

|1960

|''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]''

|Esmond Metzger

|Episode: "Rock-A-Bye Dobie"

|1960–1968

|''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''

|[[Barney Fife]]

|~~series~~Series regular (162 episodes)

|1961–1965

Line 332 ⟶ 335:

|''[[The Jerry Lewis Show]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "#1.7"

|1963–1967

Line 342 ⟶ 345:

|''[[The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)|The Joey Bishop Show]]''

|Barney Fife

|Episode: "Joey's Hideaway Cabin"

|1964

|''[[The Red Skelton Show]]''

|Himself / "Steady Fingers" Ferguson

|Episode: "How Are Things in Glocca Moron?"

|1964–1970

Line 362 ⟶ 365:

|''[[McHale's Navy]]''

|Lieutenant Pratt

|Episode: "Little Red Riding Doctor"

|1966

|''[[American Bandstand]]''

|Himself

|Episode: "#9.30"

|1967

|''[[Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre]]''

|Curly Kid

|Episode: "The Reason Nobody Hardly Ever Seen a Fat Outlaw in the Old West Is as Follows"

|1967

Line 382 ⟶ 385:

|''[[Mayberry R.F.D.]]''

|Barney Fife

|Episode: "Andy and Helen Get Married"

|1968

|''[[The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "#2.22"

|1969

|''[[The Andy Williams Show]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "#1.5"

|1970

|''[[The Bill Cosby Show]]''

|Leo Swann

|Episode: "Swann's Way"

|1970

|''The Ray Stevens Show''

|Himself

|Episode: "#1.2"

|1970–1971

|''[[The Don Knotts Show]]''

|Himself (Host)

|~~series~~Series regular (22 episodes)

|1970–1975

Line 417 ⟶ 420:

|''[[The New Andy Griffith Show]]''

|[[Barney Fife]]

|Episode: "My Friend, the Mayor"

|1972

Line 432 ⟶ 435:

|''[[The Dick Cavett Show]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "05.26.1972"

|1972–1973

Line 447 ⟶ 450:

|''[[Here's Lucy]]''

|Ben Fletcher

|Episode: "Lucy Goes on Her Last Blind Date"

|1973

Line 456 ⟶ 459:

|1974

|''[[Wait Till Your Father Gets Home]]''

|Charlie "Bumbles" Johnson (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Episode: "Don Knotts, the Beekeeper"

|1974

|''[[The Girl with Something Extra]]''

|Lionel

|Episode: "The Not-So-Good Samaritan"

|1974–1977

Line 477 ⟶ 480:

|''Laugh Back''

|Various Characters

|~~series~~Series regular

|1975–1976

Line 502 ⟶ 505:

|''[[The Muppet Show]]''

|Himself (Special Guest Star)

|Episode: "Don Knotts"

|1978–1979

Line 517 ⟶ 520:

|''[[Three's Company]]''

|Ralph Furley

|~~series~~Series regular (115 episodes)

|1979–1987

Line 531 ⟶ 534:

|1985

|''[[Inspector Gadget (1983 TV series)|Inspector Gadget]]''

|Male M.A.D. Agent (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Episode: "Ghost Catchers"

|1985

|''[[George Burns Comedy Week]]''

|Himself

|Episode: "Disaster at Buzz Creek"

|1986

Line 547 ⟶ 550:

|''[[What a Country!]]''

|F. Jerry "Bud" McPherson

|~~recurring~~Recurring role (11 episodes)

|1987

|''[[The Little Troll Prince]]''

|Professor Nidaros (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|TV movie

Line 557 ⟶ 560:

|''[[She's the Sheriff]]''

|Moe

|Episode: "Hair"

|1988–1992

|''[[Matlock (TV series)|Matlock]]''

|[[List of Matlock characters|Les Calhoun]]

|~~recurring~~Recurring role (17 episodes)

|1990

|''[[Newhart]]''

|Iron

|Episode: "Seein' Double"

|1992

|''[[Fish Police (TV series)|Fish Police]]''

|Mr. Lichen (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Episode: "The Two Girls"

|1993

|''[[Garfield and Friends]]''

|Additional voices

~~|unknown (Voice Role)~~

|2 episodes

Line 582 ⟶ 585:

|''[[Step by Step (TV series)|Step by Step]]''

|Deputy Feif

|Episode: "Christmas Story"

|1993

Line 592 ⟶ 595:

|''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "09.23.1993"

|1994

|''[[Burke's Law (1994 TV series)|Burke's Law]]''

|Dr. Adkins

|Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?"

|1998

|''[[E! True Hollywood Story]]''

|Himself (Interviewee)

|Episode: "Three's Company"

|1999

Line 612 ⟶ 615:

|''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "Lennox Lewis / Dave Chappelle / Don Knotts"

|1999–2002

Line 620 ⟶ 623:

|2000

|''[[Quints]]''

|Governor Healy

|TV movie

Line 637 ⟶ 640:

|''[[8 Simple Rules|8 Simple Rules (to Dating My Teenage Daughter)]]''

|Himself

|Episode: "Come and Knock on Our Door"

|2003

|''[[Odd Job Jack]]''

|Dirk Douglas

|Episode: "American Wiener"

|2003

Line 652 ⟶ 655:

|''[[Larry King Live]]''

|Himself (Guest)

|Episode: "11.27.2003"

|2004

|''[[Johnny Bravo]]''

|Himself (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|2 episodes

|2004

|''Hermie & Friends''

|Wormie (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|TV movie

Line 667 ⟶ 670:

|''[[That '70s Show]]''

|The Landlord

|Episode: "Stone Cold Crazy"

|2005

Line 677 ⟶ 680:

|''[[Las Vegas (TV series)|Las Vegas]]''

|Himself

|Episode: "Hit Me!"

|2005

|''[[Robot Chicken]]''

|Himself (~~Voice Role~~voice)

|Episode: "Operation Rich in Spirit"

Line 699 ⟶ 702:

== Bibliography ==

• ISBN 9781572972100 ''Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known'' <ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known (9781572972100) by Knotts, Don; Metz, Ro... |url=https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?author=&title=&lang=en&new_used=*&destination=us&currency=USD&binding=*&isbn=+ISBN-10+1572972106&keywords=&minprice=&maxprice=&publisher=&min_year=&max_year=&mode=advanced&st=sr&ac=qr |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=www.bookfinder.com}}</ref>

== Awards ==

The following are accolades and honors that Don Knotts received throughout his career.

{| class="wikitable"

!Association

Line 759 ⟶ 762:

* {{IMDb name~~|461455~~}}

* {{IBDB name}}▼

* {{Tcmdb name}}

▲* {{IBDB name}}

* {{emmytvlegends name|don-knotts}}

* The [[West Virginia & Regional History Center]] has a [https://findingaids.lib.wvu.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=wvcguide;cc=wvcguide;type=simple;rgn=Entire%20Finding%20Aid;q1=Knotts%2C%20Don;view=reslist;subview=standard;sort=occur;start=1;size=25;didno=3568&newsid=1 collection of materials related to the career or Don Knotts]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Line 775 ⟶ 777:

[[Category:1924 births]]

[[Category:2006 deaths]]

[[Category:American ~~male~~ comedy actors]]▼

[[Category:American male comedians]]

[[Category:American male film actors]]

Line 785 ⟶ 788:

[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]

[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in California]]

~~[[Category:Disney people]]~~

[[Category:Male actors from West Virginia]]

[[Category:Military personnel from West Virginia]]

Line 795 ⟶ 797:

[[Category:West Virginia University alumni]]

[[Category:Comedians from West Virginia]]

▲[[Category:American male comedy actors]]