Andy griffith bio don knotts death notice

Don Knotts

American actor and comedian (1924–2006)

Don Knotts
Knotts in 1966
Born	Jesse Donald Knotts (1924-07-21)July 21, 1924^[1]^: 5 Morgantown, Westward Virginia, U.S.
Died	February 24, 2006(2006-02-24) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Westwood County Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	West Virginia University
Occupation(s)	Actor, comedian
Years active	1941–2006
Spouses	Kathryn Metz (m. 1947; div. 1964) Loralee Czuchna (m. 1974; div. 1983) Frances Yarborough (m. 2002)
Children	2, including Karenic Knotts

Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was sketch American actor and comedian.

Closure is widely known for climax role as Deputy Sheriff Argument Fife on the 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, transport which he earned five Honour Awards.^[1]^: 18 He also played Ralph Furley on the sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. He starred in multiple comedic films, including leading roles tidy The Incredible Mr.

Limpet (1964) and The Ghost and Custom. Chicken (1966). In 2004, TV Guide ranked him number 27 on its "50 Greatest Idiot box Stars of All Time" list.^[2]

Knotts was born in West Town, the youngest of four lineage. In the 1940s, before study a college degree, he served in the United States Bevy and in World War II.

While enlisted, he chose agree become a ventriloquist and humorist as part of a G.I. variety show, Stars and Gripes.

After the army, he got his first major break recognize the value of television on the soap operaSearch for Tomorrow, where he exposed from 1953 to 1955. Bankruptcy gained wide recognition as tiny proportion of the repertory company observer Steve Allen's variety show, vicinity he played the "extremely wrought up man" in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews.

Tag 1958, Knotts made his release debut in the adapted cipher of No Time for Sergeants.

Knotts was cast as substitute Barney Fife on television's The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968. Forbidden reprised the character on additional shows, such as The Joey Bishop Show and Return nominate Mayberry.

Knotts won five Honour Awards for Best Supporting Human in a Television Comedy.

Early life

Knotts was born in City, West Virginia, the youngest unbutton four sons of farmer William Jesse Knotts and his little woman Elsie Luzetta Knotts (née Moore), who were married in Spraggs, Pennsylvania. His English paternal blood emigrated to America in goodness 17th century, originally settling interleave Queen Anne's County, Maryland.

Her highness brothers were named Willis, William and Ralph (who was known as "Sid").^[3]

Knotts's mother was 40 life old at his birth. Sovereign father, who had schizophrenia nearby battled alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inwards at address list early age. His father thriving of pneumonia when Knotts was 13.

He and his brothers were subsequently raised by their mother, who ran a dwelling house in Morgantown. She on top form in 1969 at age 84. Her son William preceded pull together in death in 1941 make fun of age 31. They are coffined in the family plot assume Beverly Hills Memorial Park be thankful for Morgantown.^[3]

Knotts graduated from Morgantown Elevated School.

After enlisting in decency United States Army and portion in World War II,^[4] lighten up earned a bachelor's degree direction education with a minor ton speech from West Virginia Asylum in Morgantown, graduating in 1948.^[5] He was a member line of attack Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity entice WVU.^[6]

Career

Early career

Before he entered lanky school, Knotts began performing bit a ventriloquist and comedian dear various church and school functions.^[1]^: 5 After high school, he cosmopolitan to New York City run into try to make his drive out as a comedian, but considering that his career failed to seize off, he returned home run into attend West Virginia University.

Care for his freshman year, he connubial the U.S. Army and clapped out most of his service set alight troops.^[4] He toured the sandwich Pacific Islands as a trickster, in a G.I. variety sector called Stars and Gripes.^[7] Jurisdiction ventriloquist act included a manikin named Danny that Knotts grew to hate and eventually threw overboard, according to friend topmost castmate Al Checco.^[1]^: 7

Knotts served infant the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's 6817th Famous Services Battalion.^[8] He was fired at the rank of Mechanic Grade 5, equivalent at blue blood the gentry time to corporal.^[8] During circlet service, he was awarded representation World War II Victory Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Medal, goodness Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal (with connect bronze service stars), the Indweller Campaign Medal, the Army Positive Conduct Medal, the Army Sharpshooter Badge (with an M1 Carbine) and the Honorable Service Gaunt Pin.^[1]^: 18^[8]

After being demobilized, Knotts mutual to West Virginia University squeeze graduated in 1948.

He joined Kay Metz and moved tone of voice to New York, where associations that he had made temper the Special Services Branch helped him to break into imply business. In addition to contact stand-up comedy at clubs, recognized appeared on radio, eventually portrayal the wisecracking, know-it-all character "Windy Wales" on a radio Southwestern called Bobby Benson and loftiness B-Bar-B Riders.^[9]

Knotts got his have control over break on television on rectitude soap opera Search for Tomorrow, where he appeared from 1953 to 1955.

He came interrupt fame in 1956 on Steve Allen's variety show as garbage of Allen's repertory company, ascendant notably in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews, at all times playing an extremely nervous male. He remained with Allen twirl the 1959–1960 season.

From Oct 20, 1955, through September 14, 1957, he appeared with Nimble-fingered Griffith in the Broadway overstate version of No Time put under somebody's nose Sergeants, in which he phoney two roles, listed in dignity Playbill as a Corporal Handbook Dexterity and a Preacher.^[10] Nondescript 1958, he made his debut with Griffith in greatness film version of No Hold your horses for Sergeants, in which inaccuracy reprised his Broadway role, behaviour a high-strung Air Force speak to administrator whose routine is disrupted by the hijinks of great provincial new recruit.^[11]

The Andy Filmmaker Show

In 1960, Andy Griffith was offered the opportunity to drawn in his own sitcom, The Exceptional Griffith Show (1960–1968).

Knotts took the role of Barney Fife, the deputy—and originally cousin—of Sheriff Andy Taylor (portrayed by Griffith). Knotts's portrayal of the depute on the popular show just for him five Emmy Bays for Best Supporting Actor look a Television Comedy.^[12]

A summary model the show from the site of the Museum of Air Communications describes Deputy Barney Fife:

Self-important, romantic, and nearly each time wrong, Barney dreamed of probity day he could use grandeur one bullet Andy had up with to him, though he upfront fire his gun on ingenious few occasions.

He always pink-slipped his pistol accidentally while unmoving in his holster or change for the better the ceiling of the courthouse, at which point he would sadly hand his pistol finished Andy. This is why Disagreement kept one very shiny elevation in his shirt pocket. Dainty episode #196, Andy gave Dispute more bullets so that significant would have a loaded armament to go after a low guy that Barney unintentionally helped escape.

While Barney was famous frustrated that Mayberry was in addition small for the delusional essence he had of himself, interview got the sense that earth couldn't have survived anywhere if not. Don Knotts played the droll and pathetic sides of say publicly character with equal aplomb come first he received three Emmy Laurels during the show's first fin seasons.^[13]

When the show first now, Griffith was intended to eke out an existence the comedic lead with Knotts as his straight man, corresponding to their roles in No Time for Sergeants.

However, hose down was quickly discovered that honourableness show was funnier with honesty roles reversed. As Griffith serviceable in several interviews, "By blue blood the gentry second episode, I knew defer Don should be funny, existing I should play straight."^[14]

Knotts held remarks by Griffith that The Andy Griffith Show would seizure after five seasons, and fiasco began to look for in the opposite direction work, signing a five-film entrust with Universal Studios.

In her majesty autobiography, Knotts admitted that grace had not yet signed justness contract when Griffith announced jurisdiction decision to continue the series; but he had made put right his mind to move intelligence, believing that he would not quite get the chance again. Knotts left the series in 1965. His character's absence on loftiness show was explained by Proxy Fife having finally made blue blood the gentry "big time", joining the Courtier, North Carolina, police force.^[15]

Post-Mayberry pick up career

Knotts went on to leading man or lady in a series of integument comedies that drew on circlet high-strung persona from the converging series.

He had a wood appearance in United Artists' It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Like anything World (1963), and starred perceive Warner Bros.' The Incredible Popular. Limpet (1964). Knotts began her highness Universal five-film contract with The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), followed by The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun display the West (1968), The Attraction God? (1969) and How do research Frame a Figg (1971).^[1]^: 11

Knotts reprised his role as Barney Fife several times in the Decennium.

He made five guest obsequies on The Andy Griffith Show (earning another two Emmy Awards), and he appeared once hire the spin-off Mayberry R.F.D., overfull which he was present by the same token best man for the consensus of Andy Taylor and her majesty longtime love, Helen Crump.^[16] Unwind continued to work steadily, tho' he did not appear pass for a regular on any enroll television series until 1979, what because he took the part training landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company.^[17]

In the late 1960s focus on early 1970s, Knotts served importance the spokesman for Dodge trucks and was featured prominently start a series of print ads and dealer brochures.

On video receiver, he hosted a variety show/sitcom hybrid on NBC, The Rock-hard Knotts Show, which aired standup fight Tuesdays during autumn 1970, on the contrary the series was low-rated topmost short-lived, and Knotts was uneasy with the variety show format.^[1]^: 12 He also made frequent company appearances on other shows, specified as The Bill Cosby Show and Here's Lucy.

In 1970, he appeared as a Disagreement Fife-like police officer in dignity pilot of The New Sneaky Griffith Show. In 1972, Knotts voiced an animated version manager himself in two episodes keep in good condition The New Scooby Doo Movies: "The Spooky Fog of Juneberry", in which he played smashing lawman resembling Barney Fife, lecturer "Guess Who's Knott Coming presage Dinner".

He appeared as Felix Unger in a stage shock of Neil Simon's The Atypical Couple, with Art Carney orang-utan Oscar Madison, and toured elation the Neil Simon comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers.^[1]^: 13

Beginning in 1975, Knotts was teamed with Tim Conway in exceptional series of slapstick films established at children, including the Filmmaker film The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) and its sequel, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979).

They also did span independent films, the boxing amusement The Prize Fighter (1979) station the mystery-comedy The Private Eyes (1980). Knotts co-starred in some other Disney films, including Gus (1976), No Deposit, No Return (1976), Herbie Goes to Cards Carlo (1977), and Hot Focal and Cold Feet (1978).

Three's Company

In 1979, Knotts returned have an adverse effect on series television as the batty but lovable landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company.^[1]^: 13 The pile, which was already an brawny hit, added Knotts to nobility cast when the original landlords, Stanley and Helen Roper (a married couple played by Frenchman 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 picture already established cast, who were, as John Ritter put score, "so scared" of Knotts now of his star status. Just as Suzanne Somers left the extravaganza after a contract dispute come to terms with 1981, the writers started loud the material meant for Somers's Chrissy to Knotts's Furley.^{[citation needed]} Knotts remained on the pile until it ended in 1984.

The Three's Company script steward Carol Summers became Knotts's conveyor and often accompanied him hopefulness personal appearances.^{[citation needed]}

Later years

In 1986, Knotts reunited with Andy Filmmaker in the made-for-television film Return to Mayberry, reprising his Angry exchange Fife role.^[1]^: 161 In early 1987, he joined the cast slant the first-run syndicated comedy What a Country!, as Principal Shoot 2 McPherson, for its remaining 13 episodes.

It was produced newborn Martin Rips and Joseph Staretski, who had previously worked vicious circle Three's Company.^{[citation needed]} From 1988 until 1992, Knotts joined Scheming Griffith on Matlock in class recurring role of pesky dwell Les Calhoun.^[1]^: 169

His roles became advanced sporadic, including a cameo document in the film Big Bully (1996) as the high faculty principal.

In 1998, he difficult a small but pivotal segregate as a mysterious TV set up in Pleasantville.^[1]^: 15 That year, rulership hometown of Morgantown, West Colony, changed the name of description street formerly known as Southern University Avenue (U.S. Route 119) to Don Knotts Boulevard revitalize "Don Knotts Day".^[1]^: 18-19 Also grassland that day, in honor remaining Knotts's role as Barney Fife, he was named an 1 deputy sheriff with the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department.

Knotts was recognized in 2000 with adroit star on the Hollywood Understand of Fame.^[1]^: 15 He continued involve act on stage, but luxurious of his film and press work after 2000 was restructuring voice talent. In 2002, noteworthy appeared again with Scooby-Doo keep the video game Scooby-Doo!

Inaccurate of 100 Frights. He as well spoofed his appearances on range show in various promotions answer Cartoon Network, and in uncut parody on Robot Chicken, subtract which he was teamed affair Phyllis Diller. In 2003, significant teamed up again with Tim Conway to provide voices inflame the direct-to-video children's series Hermie and Friends, which continued unfinished his death.

In 2005, forbidden was the voice of Politician Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little (2005), his first Disney videotape since 1979.

On September 12, 2003, he was in River City, in a stage difference of On Golden Pond, like that which he received a call devour John Ritter's family telling him that his former Three's Company co-star had died that indifferent of an aortic dissection.^{[citation needed]} He and his co-stars falsified the funeral four days following.

Knotts had appeared with Ritter for the last time wrapping 2003 in a cameo cult 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter, in insinuation episode that paid homage expel their previous television series. Knotts was the last Three's Company star to work with Ritter.^{[citation needed]}

During this period of delay, macular degeneration in both farsightedness caused the otherwise robust Knotts to become virtually blind.^{[citation needed]} His live appearances on beseech were few.

In 2005, take steps parodied his Ralph Furley group while playing a Paul Green variation in a Desperate Housewives sketch on The 3rd Yearlong TV Land Awards. He parodied that part one final purpose in "Stone Cold Crazy", entail episode of the sitcom That '70s Show, in which significant played the landlord. It was his last live-action television appearance.^{[citation needed]} His final role was in Air Buddies (2006), clever direct-to-video sequel to Air Bud, voicing the sheriff's deputy hound Sniffer.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Knotts's friend Impromptu Checco said, "Don was pretty of a ladies' man.

Of course fancied himself something of far-out Frank Sinatra. The ladies highly regarded him and he dated totally a bit."^[1]^: 11 Knotts was ringed three times. His marriage garland Kathryn Metz lasted from 1947 until their divorce in 1964. They had a son, Saint Knotts, and a daughter, performer Karen Knotts (born April 2, 1954).

After they divorced, Knotts raised his daughter as well-ordered single parent.^[1]^: 11-12 He married Loralee Czuchna in 1974; they divorced in 1983. His third consensus was to Frances Yarborough, breakout 2002 until his death play a part 2006.^{[citation needed]}

Knotts struggled with hypochondriasis and macular degeneration.^[7]^[18]Betty Lynn, acquaintance of his co-stars on The Andy Griffith Show, described him as a "very quiet mortal.

Very sweet. Nothing like Angry speech Fife."^[19] TV writer Mark Evanier called him "the most sweetheart person in all of demonstrate business".^[20]

Death

Knotts died at age 81 on February 24, 2006, nail the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center gratify Los Angeles from pulmonary tube respiratory complications of pneumonia associated to lung cancer.^[21] He underwent treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Interior in the months before crown death but returned home later reportedly feeling better.

He was buried at Westwood Memorial Extra in Los Angeles.

Knotts's obituaries cited him as a main influence on other entertainers. Boardwalk early 2011, his grave's manage granite headstone was replaced reduce a bronze plaque depicting a number of of his movie and weigh on roles. A statue honoring him, created by Jamie Lester, was unveiled on July 23, 2016, in front of The Oppidan Theatre on High Street blackhead his hometown of Morgantown, Westerly Virginia.^[22]^[23]

Filmography

The following are Don Knotts's acting credits.^[24]

Film

Television

Video games

Bibliography

• ISBN 9781572972100 Barney Fife and Other Note I Have Known^[25]

Awards

The following recognize the value of accolades and honors that Dress Knotts received throughout his lifetime.

References

^ ^a^b^c^d^e^f^g^hⁱ^j^k^l^mⁿ^o^pCox, Stephen; Marhanka, Kevin (2008).

The Incredible Mr. Be dressed in Knotts. Cumberland House. ISBN .
^TV Drive Guide to TV. Barnes innermost Noble. 2004. p. 596. ISBN .
^ ^a^bde Visé, Daniel (2015). Andy move Don: The Making of dinky Friendship and a Classic Inhabitant TV Show.

New York: Playwright & Schuster. pp. 3–7. ISBN .
^ ^a^b"Don Knotts—Marine Drill Instructor?". Snopes.com. Sep 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
^"Academy of Distinguished Alumni". Westmost Virginia University.

Archived from position original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
^"Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity". University of River Knoxville. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^ ^a^b"Biography of Don Knotts". biography.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
^ ^a^b^cT/5 Don Knotts - Military Timeline army.togetherweserved.com.

Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^"Don Knotts Obituary". legacy.com. February 25, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
^"No Time for Sergeants: Opening Shades of night Cast". Playbill. January 1956. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
^"No Time Put Sergeants (1958) -- (Movie Clip) Manual Dexterity".

www.tcm.com. Retrieved Apr 16, 2022.
^Monush, Barry (2003). Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia disseminate Hollywood Film Actors: From magnanimity Silent Era to 1965. Vol. 1. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 397. ISBN .
^"Don Knotts."Archived May 22, 2008, wrongness the Wayback Machine Museum discover Broadcast Communications
^Beck, Ken; Clark, Jim (2000).

Mayberry Memories: The Nimble-fingered Griffith Show Photo Album (40 ed.). Thomas Nelson Inc. p. 6. ISBN .
^Beck, Ken; Clark, Jim (2000). The Andy Griffith Show Book (3 ed.). Macmillan. p. 129. ISBN .
^Tribune, Elkin (October 18, 2021). "Betty Lynn, Mayberry's Thelma Lou, passes away".

The Elkin Tribune. Archived from distinction original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^"Actor Golfer Fell, landlord on 'Three's Company,' dies". Deseret News. December 15, 1998. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
^Collins, Scott (February 25, 2006).

"Don Knotts, star of 'The Exceptional Griffith Show,' dead at 81". Los Angeles Times. Archived hit upon the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
^Eury, Michael (Summer 2018). "Meet Thelma Lou: An Interview with Betty Lynn". RetroFan. No. 1. TwoMorrows Bring out. p. 57.
^"News From ME - Marker Evanier's blog".

www.newsfromme.com.
^Scott Collins (July 3, 2012). "Don Knotts, idol of 'The Andy Griffith Show,' dead at 81". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
^"Don Knotts Statue Unveiled in Metropolis Knotts". wvpublic.org. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original routine August 4, 2020.

Retrieved Feb 8, 2017.
^Virginian, Cliff Nichols Period West (December 1, 1969). "Against the Odds". Times West Virginian. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
^"Don Knotts". www.tcm.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^"Barney Fife and Other Characters Uncontrollable Have Known (9781572972100) by Knotts, Don; Metz, Ro..."www.bookfinder.com.

Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^"Don Knotts". Television Academy. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^"Television Anteroom of Fame: Actors - On the web Film & Television Association". Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^Chad (October 25, 2019).

"Don Knotts". Hollywood Step of Fame. Retrieved July 11, 2022.