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Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924February 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, for which he earned five . He also played Ralph Furley on the sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. He starred in multiple comedic films, including 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.
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 and comedian as part of a G.I. variety show, Stars and Gripes.
After the army, he got his first major break on television on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow, where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He 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.
Knotts was cast as deputy Barney Fife on television's The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968. He reprised the character on other shows, such as The Joey Bishop Show and Return to Mayberry. Knotts won five for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy.
Knotts's mother was 40 years old at his birth. His father, who had schizophrenia and battled alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inwards at an early age. His father died of pneumonia when Knotts was 13. He and his brothers were 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.
Knotts graduated from Morgantown High School. After enlisting in the United States Army and serving in World War II, he earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in speech therapy from West Virginia University in Morgantown, graduating in 1948. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at WVU.
Knotts served in the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's 6817th Special Services Battalion. T/5 Don Knotts - Military Timeline army.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021. He was discharged at the rank of Technician Grade 5, equivalent at the time to corporal. During his service, he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal (with four bronze ), the American Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Marksman Badge (with an M1 Carbine) and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
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.
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.
From October 20, 1955, through September 14, 1957, he appeared with Andy Griffith in the Broadway theatre stage version of No Time for Sergeants, in which he played two roles, listed in the Playbill as a Corporal Manual Dexterity and a Preacher. In 1958, he made his movie debut with Griffith in the film version of No Time for Sergeants, in which he reprised his Broadway role, playing a high-strung Air Force test administrator whose routine is disrupted by the hijinks of a provincial new recruit.
A summary of the show from the website of the Museum of Broadcast Communications describes Deputy Barney Fife:
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." (2025). 9781558538306, Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN 9781558538306
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 having finally made the "big time", joining the Raleigh, North Carolina, police force. (2025). 9780312262877, Macmillan. ISBN 9780312262877
Knotts reprised his role as Barney Fife several times in the 1960s. He made five guest appearances on The Andy Griffith Show (earning another two Emmy Awards), and he appeared once on the spin-off Mayberry R.F.D., in which he was present as best man for the marriage of Andy Taylor and his longtime love, Helen Crump. He continued to work steadily, although he did not appear as a regular on any successful television series until 1979, when he took the part of landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company.
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 hosted a variety show/sitcom hybrid on NBC, The Don Knotts Show, which aired on Tuesdays during autumn 1970, but the series was low-rated and short-lived, and Knotts was uncomfortable with the variety show format. 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, with Art Carney as Oscar Madison, and toured in the Neil Simon comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers.
Beginning in 1975, Knotts was teamed with Tim Conway in a series of slapstick films aimed at children, including the Disney 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). Knotts co-starred in several other Disney films, including Gus (1976), No Deposit, No Return (1976), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), and Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978).
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. 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.
His roles became more sporadic, including a cameo appearance in the 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. That year, his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Avenue (U.S. Route 119) to Don Knotts Boulevard on "Don Knotts Day". Also on that day, in honor of Knotts's role as Barney Fife, he was named an honorary deputy sheriff with the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department.
Knotts was recognized in 2000 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 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, on which 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 his death. In 2005, he was the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little (2005), his first Disney movie since 1979.
On September 12, 2003, he was in Kansas City, in a stage version of 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. He and his co-stars attended the funeral four days later. Knotts had appeared with Ritter for the last time in 2003 in a cameo on 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter, in an episode that paid homage to their previous television series. Knotts was the last Three's Company star to work with Ritter.
During this period of time, macular degeneration in both eyes caused the otherwise robust Knotts to become virtually blind. His live appearances on television were few. In 2005, he parodied his Ralph Furley character while playing a Paul Young variation in a Desperate Housewives sketch on 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, in which he played the landlord. It was his last live-action television appearance. His final role was in Air Buddies (2006), a direct-to-video sequel to Air Bud, voicing the sheriff's deputy dog Sniffer.
Knotts struggled with hypochondria and macular degeneration. 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." TV writer Mark Evanier called him "the most beloved person in all of show business".
In February 2025, Knotts' co-star Ron Howard revealed that he had recently learned that the two were distant cousins but neither had known during Knotts' lifetime.
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.
Death
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. 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 Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Filmography
The following are Don Knotts's acting credits.
Film
1958 No Time for Sergeants Corporal John C. Brown 1960 Wake Me When It's Over Sergeant Percy Warren 1961 The Last Time I Saw Archie Captain Harry Little 1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Nervous Motorist 1963 Move Over, Darling Shoe Clerk 1964 The Incredible Mr. Limpet Henry Limpet 1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Luther Heggs 1967 The Reluctant Astronaut Roy Fleming 1968 The Shakiest Gun in the West Jesse W. Heywood 1969 The Love God? Abner Audubon Peacock IV 1971 How to Frame a Figg Hollis Alexander Figg also Writer 1975 The Apple Dumpling Gang Theodore Ogelvie 1976 No Deposit, No Return Bert Delaney 1976 Gus Coach Venner 1977 Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Wheely Applegate 1978 Hot Lead and Cold Feet Sheriff Denver Kid 1978 Mule Feathers Narrator, The Mule (voices) 1979 The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again Theodore Ogelvie 1979 The Prize Fighter Shake 1980 The Private Eyes Inspector Winship 1984 Cannonball Run II CHP Officer #2 1987 Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Gee Willikers (voice) 1991 Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moments Christmas Titus (voice) Short Film 1996 Big Bully Principal Kokelar 1997 Cats Don't Dance T.W. Turtle (voice) 1998 Pleasantville TV Repairman 1999 Tom Sawyer Mutt Potter (Voice Role) Direct-to-Video 2004 Hermie & Friends: Flo the Lyin' Fly Wormie (voice) Short Film 2004 Hermie & Friends: Webster the Scaredy Spider Wormie (voice) Short Film 2005 Hermie & Friends: Buzby, the Misbehaving Bee Wormie (voice) Short Film 2005 Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake Christmas Wormie (voice) Direct-to-Video 2005 Chicken Little Mayor Turkey Lurkey (voice) 2006 Hermie & Friends: Stanely the Stinkbug Goes to Camp Wormie (voice) Direct-to-Video 2006 Hermie & Friends: To Share or Nut to Share Wormie (voice) 2006 Air Buddies Sniffer (voice) Direct-to-Video
Television
1953–1955 Search for Tomorrow Wilbur Peterson Series regular 1957–1960 The Steve Allen Plymouth Show Himself (Guest) 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 regular (162 episodes) 1961–1965 The Red Skelton Show Commodore of Lagoons / Horaces Horatio / Mr Pallid / Herbie 4 episodes 1962–1964 The Garry Moore Show Himself (Guest) 4 episodes 1963 The Jerry Lewis Show Himself (Guest) Episode: "#1.7" 1963–1967 The Andy Williams Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes 1964 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 The Hollywood Palace Himself (Host) 4 episodes 1964–1974 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Himself (Guest) 5 episodes 1966 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 The Don Knotts Special Himself (Host / Presenter) TV special 1968 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 regular (22 episodes) 1970–1975 The Bob Hope Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes 1971 The New Andy Griffith Show Barney Fife Episode: "My Friend, the Mayor" 1972 The New Scooby-Doo Movies Don Knotts / Homer Pipsqueak (voice) 2 episodes 1972 The Man Who Came to Dinner Dr. Bradley TV movie 1972 The Dick Cavett Show Himself (Guest) Episode: "05.26.1972" 1972–1973 The New Bill Cosby Show Himself 2 episodes 1972–1974 The Merv Griffin Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes 1973 Here's Lucy Ben Fletcher Episode: "Lucy Goes on Her Last Blind Date" 1973 I Love a Mystery Alexander Archer TV movie 1974 Wait Till Your Father Gets Home Charlie "Bumbles" Johnson (voice) Episode: "Don Knotts, the Beekeeper" 1974 The Girl with Something Extra Lionel Episode: "The Not-So-Good Samaritan" 1974–1977 Hollywood Squares Himself (Panelist) 4 episodes 1975 Harry and Maggie Harry Kellog TV movie 1975 Laugh Back Various Characters Series regular 1975–1976 Dinah! Himself (Guest) 5 episodes 1976 Himself TV special 1976–1977 The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour Himself / Various Characters 5 episodes 1976–1977 Donny & Marie Himself (Guest) 2 episodes 1977 The Muppet Show Himself (Special Guest Star) Episode: "Don Knotts" 1978–1979 Fantasy Island Felix Birdsong / Stanley Scheckter 2 episodes 1979 The Muppets Go Hollywood Himself TV special 1979–1984 Three's Company Ralph Furley Series regular (115 episodes) 1979–1987 The Love Boat Himself / Herb Groebecker 2 episodes 1980 The Tim Conway Show Himself (Guest) 2 episodes 1985 Inspector Gadget Male M.A.D. Agent (voice) Episode: "Ghost Catchers" 1985 George Burns Comedy Week Himself Episode: "Disaster at Buzz Creek" 1986 Return to Mayberry Barney Fife TV movie 1987 What a Country! F. Jerry "Bud" McPherson Recurring role (11 episodes) 1987 The Little Troll Prince Professor Nidaros (voice) TV movie 1988 She's the Sheriff Moe Episode: "Hair" 1988–1992 Matlock Les Calhoun Recurring role (17 episodes) 1990 Newhart Iron Episode: "Seein' Double" 1992 Fish Police Mr. Lichen (voice) Episode: "The Two Girls" 1993 Garfield and Friends Additional voices 2 episodes 1993 Step by Step Deputy Feif Episode: "Christmas Story" 1993 Andy Griffith Show Reunion Himself TV special 1993 Late Show with David Letterman Himself (Guest) Episode: "09.23.1993" 1994 Burke's Law Dr. Adkins Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?" 1998 E! True Hollywood Story Himself (Interviewee) Episode: "Three's Company" 1999 Jingle Bells Kris (Voice Role) TV movie 1999 Late Night with Conan O'Brien Himself (Guest) Episode: "Lennox Lewis / Dave Chappelle / Don Knotts" 1999–2002 Biography Himself (Interviewee) 3 episodes
— "Ron Howard: Hollywood's Favorite Son" (1999)
— "Don Knotts: Nervous Laughter" (2000)
— "John Ritter: In Good Company" (2002)2000 Quints Governor Healy TV movie 2002 The Griffin and the Minor Canon Messenger #1 TV movie 2003 Hermie: A Common Caterpillar Wormie (Voice Role) TV movie 2003 8 Simple Rules Himself Episode: "Come and Knock on Our Door" 2003 Odd Job Jack Dirk Douglas Episode: "American Wiener" 2003 The Andy Griffith Show Reunion: Back to Mayberry Himself / Barney Fife TV documentary 2003 Larry King Live Himself (Guest) Episode: "11.27.2003" 2004 Johnny Bravo Himself (voice) 2 episodes 2004 Hermie & Friends Wormie (voice) TV movie 2005 That '70s Show The Landlord Episode: "Stone Cold Crazy" 2005 Fatherhood Edwin Mazur / Mr. Mauzer 2 episodes 2005 Las Vegas Himself Episode: "Hit Me!" 2005 Robot Chicken Himself (voice) Episode: "Operation Rich in Spirit"
Video games
2002 Groundskeeper Voice Role
Bibliography
• ISBN 9781572972100 Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known
Awards
The following are accolades and honors that Don Knotts received throughout his career.
Further reading
External links
Categories: 20th-century American Comedians, 20th-century American Male Actors, 21st-century American Comedians, 21st-century American Male Actors, 1924 Births, 2006 Deaths, American Male Comedians, American Male Film Actors, American Male Soap Opera Actors, American Male Television Actors, American Male Voice Actors, United States Army Personnel Of World War Ii, American People Of English Descent, Burials At Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Deaths From Lung Cancer In California, Deaths From Pneumonia In California, Male Actors From West Virginia, Military Personnel From West Virginia, Morgantown High School Alumni, People From Morgantown, West Virginia, United States Army Soldiers, American Ventriloquists, West Virginia University Alumni, Comedians From West Virginia
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