REMEMBERING DON KNOTTS FOR THE LEGEND HE WAS

[IceWizard]

REMEMBERING DON KNOTTS FOR
THE LEGEND HE WAS








Don Knotts was an actor and comedian best known for his role on The Andy Griffith Show
as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife – a role that earned him five Emmy Awards. You probably
also remember him from Three’s Company, where he played Ralph Furley from 1979 to 1984.
Knots was in many comedic films, like The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) and The Incredible
Mr. Limpet (1964). By 1979, TV Guide ranked him #27 on their 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.

The late great comedy legend will forever be remembered as one of the more beloved comedians.
Everyone remembers his high strung characters and his high pitched voice. But despite all his
popularity, Knotts kept his private life behind closed doors. It was only after his death in 2006
that information about the comedy star of the past was revealed. Continue reading for a look
into the life of Don Knotts.



Not a Typical Childhood

Jesse Donald Knotts was born on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was the
youngest of four sons born to William Jesse Knotts, a farmer, and his wife, Elsie Luzetta Knotts.
Don’s mother was 40 when she gave birth to him, and his father, who suffered from mental
illness, had a nervous breakdown when Don was born.







His father was sadly afflicted with schizophrenia and alcoholism, sometimes frighteningly going
after young Don, threatening him with a knife. These experiences taught the young Don to turn
inwards and keep himself protected. Don’s oldest brother, Earl, died of pneumonia when Don
was 13 years old. Don and his brothers were raised by their mother, who ran a boarding house.
She died much later, in 1969, at the age of 84.


From Plucking Chickens to Making Movies

Knotts eventually grew up to be really good at putting smiles on people’s faces, despite a tragic
upbringing. But before he made it to Hollywood, Don – like almost all celebrities – had to live a
normal life and work a normal job. It’s amusing to discover some of the jobs that stars were
working in before they got famous.






Don Knotts’ job before finding fame was kind of strange. He worked as a chicken plucker, meaning
he had to pull out the feathers from dead birds. He definitely had no idea he would end up making
a fortune in an acting career.



A Beginning in Ventriloquism

Like some other successful comedians from back in the day, Knotts explored the world of ventriloquism
before landing his major acting gigs. Knotts would go on stage and perform his act with the help of a
wooden dummy that he called Danny “Hooch” Matador. Danny and Knotts worked together as a
comedic duo for several years.





He did the ventriloquist act up until he ditched the doll during a military show overseas. Knotts decided
that ventriloquism wasn’t for him. Sadly for the Danny the doll, that meant throwing Danny overboard
into the South Pacific. Knots later joked around about how the doll was “missing in action.” Maybe one
day some excavators will find that doll. But the odds are low.


His Role in the Military

Conspiracy theories were quick to spread after Knotts passed away at the age of 81. One of the many
rumors that were swirling around included an urban legend that said how Knotts once served in the
United States Marine Corps as a strict and mean drill sergeant.
Can you imagine this man as a mean drill sergeant?





Fortunately, that myth remained as a myth. The only truth to that story is the fact that Knotts did
indeed serve in the military, but he was nowhere near an intimidating soldier. Knotts spent his time
providing entertainment for the troops in a variety act he called Stars and Gripes. According to Wikipedia,
Knotts served in the U.S. Army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946.


An Honorable Service

Despite his unusual role in the army, Knotts was recognized as a highly decorated non-combatant.
He was discharged in 1946 after three years in the service. Knotts served in the U.S. Army from
June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946. He was discharged in the rank of Technician Grade 5
(which was the equivalent to a Corporal).

Throughout his service, Knotts was given several honors. He got four notable medals, including
the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button,
and a marksmanship badge. He didn’t fight the enemies, but he had a meaningful role in bringing
smiles to the soldier’s faces. If there was anything those soldiers needed in those times, it was
some comedy.


His First Acting Gig

Following his stint in the military, Knotts came back to America and landed his first major acting
gig in the TV soap opera ‘Search for Tomorrow’ from 1953 to 1955. Knotts’ character, Wilbur Peterson,
had only a few lines in the duration of the show, but that role is considered his first big break.
After that role, Knotts decided to stay away from dramas.







After playing a serious role in the soap opera, he found his passion for comedy.
“It was the only serious role I ever played professionally,” said Knotts much later in an Archive
of American Television interview. It was in 1965 that Knotts came to fame on Steve Allen’s
variety show, as part of Allen’s theater company. He stayed with the Allen program through
the 1959/1960 season.


He Almost Wasn’t on The Andy Griffith Show

After being on the Steve Allen Show, Knotts slowly began to get famous and recognized as
the public was starting to see his unique and show-stopping sense of humor. He landed the
legendary role as Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show soon after his appearances on
Steve Allen ended. But what people don’t know is that Knotts could have easily been fired
from the show after its first episode.

Why? Because he began shooting without having signed a contract. Luckily, the show’s executive
producer, Sheldon Leonard, let Knotts stick around when he saw how incredibly talented he was
on-screen with Griffith. Knotts played Barney Fife, the deputy, and originally cousin of
Sheriff Andy Taylor.



Griffith Gave Knotts All the Major Lines

Sheldon Leonard wasn’t the only one who was impressed with Knotts’ acting on the show. While
on set, Andy Griffith was also blown away by Don’s humor and ability to make everyone laugh.
Griffith had so much respect for him that he let him steal the spotlight. The name of the show
was revolved around Andy, and he was meant to be the star of the series.






But it was quickly discovered that the show was a lot funnier with the roles reversed. Griffith
was modest, and he allowed Barney Fife to become the show’s star as the comic relief instead.
From the first episode, Griffith and Knotts bonded and started a strong friendship that lasted
throughout their lives. Griffith said in several interviews: “By the second episode, I knew that
Don should be funny, and I should play straight.”



The Butt of His Jokes

Although they maintained a strong friendship throughout their lives, Griffith and Knotts’ friendship
wasn’t always sunshine and lollipops. They had their ups and downs, especially while on set of
The Andy Griffith Show. Knotts was constantly a victim of Griffith’s practical jokes and pranks.
But for many guys, poking fun at each other is just part of the friendship.







According to biographer Daniel de Vise, Andy Griffith would often wake Knotts up from his naps
by throwing a film canister onto the ground and making a big bang! Griffith also referred to Knotts
by the name “Jess.” Why? Because he was mocking Don’s given name “Jesse,” which Don was
known to really dislike. So that for sure, pushed his buttons.



Saying Goodbye

After five seasons of The Andy Griffith Show, Griffith was allowed to renew his contract with
the producers for another three years and he took it. This shocked viewers, including Knotts.
It was generally expected that the show wouldn’t gain to be popular enough to last longer
than five years. But the same can’t be said for Don Knotts.


Unfortunately, Knotts’ time on the show was over in 1965 when he said that he left to pursue
a five-year contract with Universal Pictures instead. “It was a tough time for me because I
enjoyed the Griffith Show so much that I hated to leave,” Knotts later recalled in an interview.
In his autobiography, Knotts admitted that he didn’t yet sign a contract when Griffith announced
his decision. He just already made up his mind to move on.


He Almost Stayed

Don made a tough decision, believing he wouldn’t get the chance again. But he ended up
leaving the series in 1965. His absence on the show was explained as Deputy Fife having
finally made the “big time,” joining the Raleigh, North Carolina police force. When Don was
aware that his Universal Pictures contract would cause him to leave the show, he tried to
find a way to stay for a bit longer.






As de Vise wrote in his biography, Knotts came to Griffith with a special offer. He told his co-star
that he would stay on the show as long as he got a significant stake in the show’s production.
Griffith declined his proposal, though.


His Film Roles Were Inspired by The Andy Griffith Show

Griffith declined Knotts’ offer because he mistakenly thought that Knotts wanted to go 50/50
on the profit. But Knotts would have been happy with a small share of the production. Either way,
Knotts made his premature departure from The Andy Griffith Show. The show, however, made
a real impact on his career and his future role choices, both in film and TV.







One of Knotts’ big roles after being Barney Fife for five years was featured in his first movie with
Universal Pictures. He played the role of Luther Heggs in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken in 1966.
The hit movie was actually based on one memorable episode in The Andy Griffith Show in a
1963 episode called “Haunted House.”


The Incredible Mr. Limpet

Knotts will forever be remembered in his first starring role in a movie as the hilarious character
of Henry Limpet. The movie was called The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and it came out in 1964.
The film was a comical hybrid between live-action characters and animation. In the story,
Limpet transforms into a talking fish that essentially helps the U.S. Navy find German
submarines before the attack on Pearl Harbor.






That doesn’t sound like a plot of an animated movie, but hey, those were different times.
The movie premiered on January 20, 1964, at the Weeki Wachee Springs Underwater Theater.
It became the world’s first underwater movie premiere. Don Knotts was proud of his work
as Mr. Limpet, mentioning how he thought the film was “very, very good.”


Knotts’ Sense of Style

When Barney Fife wasn’t wearing his infamous police uniform, he was known for rocking an
iconic straw hat and coat. His style wasn’t just about what he wore on and off the set. Knott
was quickly recognized for his expressive face, and he was becoming known in the country
as a killer comedian. Knotts’ look added a certain essence to his sense of humor.

The suit he wore on The Andy Griffith Show became an icon of his comedic persona and even
appeared multiple times in some of his other work. For example, in The Reluctant Astronaut
and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, he wore the same kind of suit.


He Was a Big Flirt

Don Knotts didn’t have the sexiest roles in his acting career, but that didn’t mean that he
didn’t get the girls. He was something of a ladies’ man off-screen. After all, men with a
good sense of humor are often irresistible to women, right ladies? Knotts had enough jokes
and “isms” to woo women across the country.





“Dad was kind of wild,” his daughter Karen had joked around saying in an interview with
People magazine in March of 2006. “He was really quite the ladies’ man, especially between
marriages.” When she says between marriages, it’s because Don was married not once,
not twice, but three times. Karen is from his first marriage to Kathryn Metz.
But that was just the beginning.

---

Third Time’s a Charm?

His marriage to Kathryn lasted from 1947 until their divorce in 1964. From this first marriage,
Knotts had a son, Thomas Knotts, and his daughter, actress Karen Knotts. He then moved on
and married Loralee Czuchna in 1974, but they got divorced in 1983. His third marriage was
to Frances Yarborough, which was short, lasting from 2002 until his death in 2006.





Despite being so flirtatious, Knotts was a married man for most of his adult life. His first marriage
to Kathryn lasted 17 years, and they had two kids together. His second marriage lasted nine years
and his last was during his last four years on this earth. His widow, Frances, had quite the acting
career herself who is best known for her role in the film ‘The Electric Chair.’


Three’s Company Drama

In 1979, Knotts returned to TV in his second most identifiable role, which you know as the
wacky-but-lovable landlord Ralph Furley. Three’s Company was already an established hit
when the original landlords, Helen Roper and her husband Stanley (a real-life couple played
by Audra Lindley and Norman Fell) left the show to star in their own spin-off series (The Ropers).






Three’s Company ended up being a big show in the future, but its rise to fame wasn’t so simple.
In 1980, contract negotiations caused some major drama on set. Suzanne Somers had quite
extravagant requests. For instance, she agreed to stay on the show only if she was given a huge
raise that included 10% of the series’ profits. When those demands weren’t met, tensions were
built on set.


Don Filled the Gap
When the show’s producers refused to grant Somers with an increased salary, she decided to go
on strike. She refused to show up to film the scenes and so the producers feared that the sudden
loss of Somers would ruin their ratings. They eventually reached a compromise with her.
But during her absences, Knotts would fill in.

When Somers didn’t show up on set during that period, Knotts helped fill in the gap. He would often
fill in for her by reciting her character Chrissy’s lines. Knotts integrated himself to the already-established
cast really well. As the late John Ritter put it, they were “so scared” of him when he joined the cast
because of his star status.


His Role in Pleasantville

As the years went by, comedy was evolving, and Don Knotts was talented and wise enough to go
with the flow. He introduced himself to modern humor as well as younger audiences. He had a
supporting role as a strange TV repairman in the comedy-drama film ‘Pleasantville’ that came
out in 1998. But that role almost went to someone else.


And not just any “someone.” Knotts was very close to not getting the repairman role in Pleasantville.
The part was initially meant to be played by fellow comedy star Dick Van Dyke. You know him – he
was in ‘Bye Bye Birdy’ and ‘Mary Poppins.’ It was that same year that Don’s home town of Morgantown
changed the name of a street to Don Knotts Boulevard on “Don Knotts Day.”


Overdubbed by an Impersonator

Although Knotts was lucky to land that memorable role in Pleasantville (instead of Van Dyke), he
wasn’t as present throughout the entire process as he normally was back in his heyday. After shooting
came to an end, the comedy legend wasn’t available to go back on set afterward for all the extra
dubbing sessions. He was getting very old and less mobile.






Therefore, a professional dubber and impersonator by the name of Craig Shoemaker came in to take
on the challenging role of imitating Don’s unique voice and style. Craig had quite a comedy career in
his own right as well, having won Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic at the American Comedy Awards
in 1997. Considering how we didn’t notice anything funny when watching this movie, he did the job well.



Knotts Spent His Final Hours With His Beloved Co-Star

Knotts and Griffith’s friendship lasted a lifetime – up until his final days. The men really had each
other’s backs since day one. Knotts was known to have struggled with hypochondria and macular
degeneration. After a hard battle with lung cancer, Knotts passed away with Andy Griffith by his
side – the man who brought Don to stardom.





“I told him I loved him, and I held his hand,” Griffith later told People in an emotional interview.
Knotts’ passing was devastating to all those who knew him and were touched by his humor and
memorable smile. Comedians from all over will forever be inspired by his charisma and personality.
One of Knotts’ co-stars on The Andy Griffith Show, Betty Lynn, described him as a
“very quiet man. Very sweet. Nothing like Barney Fife.”


Knotts Was 81 on February 24, 2006

The official cause of death was a respiratory complication due to pneumonia, which he contracted
while he was struggling with his lung cancer. He died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in
Los Angeles was laid to rest at the Westwood Memorial Park. In 2011, his gravestone was replaced
by a bronze plaque that featured a list of Knotts’ film and television roles.





Knotts’ obituaries had cited him as a major influence on many other entertainers. On July 23, 2016,
a statue honoring him was unveiled in front of The Metropolitan Theatre on High Street in
Morgantown, West Virginia, where he was born and raised. Now, his family, friends, and all of his
fans have a place to visit when in the town.


The Barney Fife Statue Had To Be Destroyed

Tom Hellebrand created a statue of Don Knotts to honor his most famous character, Barney Fife.
The artist had the statue on display at Mount Airy, which was in Griffith’s hometown. The city of
Mount Airy was also the inspiration for the TV show’s fictional setting. But unfortunately,
the statue had to be destroyed.






Before the statue was even fully completed, it had to be taken down. The work on the statue was
halted when Paramount Studio, who owned the rights to the TV show, didn’t approve of the artwork.

When the statue was put up in 2016, countless fans with their own “before he was Barney”
stories had lined up on High Street outside the Metropolitan Theatre for the first
Don Knotts Days celebration.

[Charon]

Thank you, Ice. Great find. My wee facebook that I read whilst reformatting cuz of jerks, well, it did not give me all this info. I had learned his wife and daughter would laugh at everything he said on set.

I am so glad that he lived a long life and had a fulfilling career. I gave up all movies and TV when i was sixteen, so I never knew he got to be respected for his work.

Sometimes, the good guys do win on this earth.

[Hotrod77]

Thanks for the memories, I always loved don I loved the andy griffith show as well, I still watch the reruns on tv, definitely one of my favorites, barney was hilarious definitely one of a kind actor and overall great guy, he was definitely a natural comedian I think everyone could agree on that, we need more of him these days lol