[kjeff50cal]

Awww Andy!!!

Actor Don Knotts dies at 81

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Don Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. He was 81.

Knotts died Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, said Paul Ward, a spokesman for the cable network TV Land, which airs "The Andy Griffith Show," and another Knotts hit, "Three's Company."

Unspecified health problems had forced him to cancel an appearance in his native Morgantown in August 2005.

The West Virginia-born actor's half-century career included seven TV series and more than 25 films, but it was the Griffith show that brought him TV immortality and five Emmies.

The show ran from 1960-68, and was in the top 10 of the Nielsen ratings each season, including a No. 1 ranking its final year. It is one of only three series in TV history to bow out at the top: The others are "I Love Lucy" and "Seinfeld." The 249 episodes have appeared frequently in reruns and have spawned a large, active network of fan clubs.

As the bug-eyed deputy to Griffith, Knotts carried in his shirt pocket the one bullet he was allowed after shooting himself in the foot. The constant fumbling, a recurring sight gag, was typical of his self-deprecating humor.

Knotts, whose shy, soft-spoken manner was unlike his high-strung characters, once said he was most proud of the Fife character and doesn't mind being remembered that way.

His favorite episodes, he said, were "The Pickle Story," where Aunt Bea makes pickles no one can eat, and "Barney and the Choir," where no one can stop him from singing.

"I can't sing. It makes me sad that I can't sing or dance well enough to be in a musical, but I'm just not talented in that way," he lamented. "It's one of my weaknesses."

Knotts appeared on six other television shows. In 1979, Knotts replaced Norman Fell on "Three's Company," playing the would-be swinger landlord to John Ritter, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt.

Early in his TV career, he was one of the original cast members of "The Steve Allen Show," the comedy-variety show that ran from 1956-61. He was one of a group of memorable comics backing Allen that included Louis Nye, Tom Poston and Bill "Jose Jimenez" Dana.

Knotts' G-rated films were family fun, not box-office blockbusters. In most, he ends up the hero and gets the girl -- a girl who can see through his nervousness to the heart of gold.

In the part-animated 1964 film "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," Knotts played a meek clerk who turns into a fish after he is rejected by the Navy.

When it was announced in 1998 that Jim Carrey would star in a "Limpet" remake, Knotts responded: "I'm just flattered that someone of Carrey's caliber is remaking something I did. Now, if someone else did Barney Fife, THAT would be different."

In the 1967 film "The Reluctant Astronaut," co-starring Leslie Nielsen, Knotts' father enrolls his wimpy son -- operator of a Kiddieland rocket ride -- in NASA's space program. Knotts poses as a famous astronaut to the joy of his parents and hometown but is eventually exposed for what he really is, a janitor so terrified of heights he refuses to ride an airplane.

In the 1969 film "The Love God?," he was a geeky bird-watcher who is duped into becoming publisher of a naughty men's magazine and then becomes a national sex symbol. Eventually, he comes to his senses, leaves the big city and marries the sweet girl next door.

He was among an army of comedians from Buster Keaton to Jonathan Winters to liven up the 1963 megacomedy "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." Other films include "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (1966); "The Shakiest Gun in the West," (1968); and a few Disney films such as "The Apple Dumpling Gang," (1974); "Gus," (1976); and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo," (1977).

In 1998, he had a key role in the back-to-the-past movie "Pleasantville," playing a folksy television repairman whose supercharged remote control sends a teen boy and his sister into a TV sitcom past.

Knotts began his show biz career even before he graduated from high school, performing as a ventriloquist at local clubs and churches. He majored in speech at West Virginia University, then took off for the big city.

"I went to New York cold. On a $100 bill. Bummed a ride," he recalled in a visit to his hometown of Morgantown, where city officials renamed a street for him in 1998.

Within six months, Knotts had taken a job on a radio Western called "Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders," playing a wisecracking, know-it-all handyman. He stayed with it for five years, then came his series TV debut on "The Steve Allen Show."

He married Kay Metz in 1948, the year he graduated from college. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1969. Knotts later married, then divorced Lara Lee Szuchna.

In recent years, he said he had no plans to retire, traveling with theater productions and appearing in print and TV ads for Kodiak pressure treated wood.

The world laughed at Knotts, but it also laughed with him.

He treasured his comedic roles and could point to only one role that wasn't funny, a brief stint on the daytime drama "Search for Tomorrow."

"That's the only serious thing I've done. I don't miss that," Knotts said.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.








Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/02/25/knotts.obit.ap/index.html

[Biker]

That sucks. I wonder if Otis is still around?

Biker

[_N4Z_]

Pretty sure Otis died many years ago.

Along with Floyd the barber, Aunt B., and I think Helen is gone too.

That's too bad, not many from Mayberry left. RIP Barney Fife.

[ATAShooter]

Bless you Barney... You now have your wish, The Big man upstairs will let you have a full cylinder...

You will be missed...

[Hkmp5sd]

Here's one of my collectibles.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Hkmp5sd/DonKnotts2.jpg

[two dogs]

amen , one of few t.v. personalities I loved to watch.

[Brad Johnson]

Bless you Barney... The Big man upstairs will let you have a full cylinder...

...and your own set of keys.

Rest in Peace

Brad

[M.E.Eldridge]

How about Howard? Is he still around?

[Unisaw]

I have been dreading this day. Don Knotts as Barney was a timeless character and his passing truly saddens me. From what I have heard, Andy was originaly supposed to be the funny one while Barney was supposed to be the straight man. After the first episode or two, Andy realized what a comic genius Don Knotts was and they switched roles.

RIP. May you continue to crack them up in heaven.

[Atticus]

R.I.P. Barn.:(

[RioShooter]

I learned all of my gun handling skills from Barney. I have a bullet in my pocket right now.:D

[BigRobT]

Actually, even though Don Knotts had acquired his fame from the Andy Griffith show, I rather enjoyed his movies like, "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" and "The Reluctant Astronaut". He always made me laugh. I will remember him fondly.

[afasano]

The statement he made about Jim Carry showed a lot of class.

[Hardware]

People forget that he won five Emmy awards for his work as Barney Fife. Let's say that again, FIVE Emmy awards. And you never heard of him being a disgrace or embrassing himself in public. A real class act.

Flocks of angels to see you to your rest Mr. Knotts.

[Biker]

I have very fond memories of the Andy Griffith Show. I still whistle that tune at times. Come to think of it, I whistle it often. Would that I could've grown up in a place like Mayberry.
Biker

[Ramius]

FWIW, I live in "Mayberry", AKA Mt Airy NC. Don Knotts may be gone, but you can still get your fill of Mayberry right here, most anytime... although the "Mayberry Days" we have in September and Autumn Leaves Festival in October seem to be the 'best' times to visit.

Also FWIW, http://www.visitmayberry.com/

if you DO come to visit, by all means message me first... I'll tell you about the REAL stories behind Mayberry.... :D

[MrTwigg]

Mayberry RFD was one of my favorite shows. I hope he was buried with a bullet in his shirt pocket.

[sm]

:(

Another Class Act has passed on. Carried himself well in real life as well as he did in Portrayals.

We keep losing these Class Acts and none coming up to fill shoes.

Don Knotts may be gone, will never be forgotten. Just like the others that have gone on before him.

You have to grin knowing he and the others are cutting up big time and catching up on times.

IIRC all we have left of Mayberry is Andy and Opie.

[Texshooter]

I think the actress who played Thelma Lou is alive, as well as Jim Nabors, George Lindsay (sp?), as you said Andy and Opie.

Oh yeah, I think Elenor Donahue (from Father Knows Best) is alive, I think. She had a few recurring roles.

I remember Jack Nicholson played in an episode.

Regardless, too many of the good ones have gone.

But, thanks be to God, Don is in a great place, probably on patrol with the Angels.

[grimjaw]

Truly a memorable character, sad to see him go.

On the topic of guns, anybody know what he carried as 'Barney Fife'?

jmm

[Ben Shepherd]

The "time gun" in the movie private eyes. ABSOLUTE CLASSIC.

Thank you for your many years of entertainment.

[ReadyontheRight]

On the topic of guns, anybody know what he carried as 'Barney Fife'?

I believe it was a Colt Police Positive.

[mondocomputerman]

"Otis" did die, about 12 years ago or so. He did the voice of "Whittaker" on Adventures in Odyssey", a popular kids radio show.

[mustanger98]

IIRC, I'm thinking it was Willie Mays (sp?) the baseball player who was on TVLand a couple of years (or more) ago commenting on the bigtime tv personalities he met. He was talking about what class acts a lot of them were and included Don Knotts on his list. He was talking about how smooth those guys were about how they dressed and carried themselves. They were nothing like their characters. However, I did notice in Don Knotts' obituary he was quoted as saying he was actually proud of his work as Barney Fife and didn't mind be remembered as Barney.

IIRC, Barney's gun was a S&W Military&Police .38Spl., but it may have been the Colt's equivelant.

With mention of some of the others, I just looked it up on imdb.com and here's the ones I found. Most were regulars and a couple had recurring roles.

Hal Smith aka Otis Campbell:
Date of birth (location)
24 August 1916
Petoskey, Michigan, USA
Date of death (details)
28 January 1994
Woodland Hills, California, USA. (heart attack)

Frances Bavier aka Aunt Bea:
Date of birth (location)
24 August 1916
Petoskey, Michigan, USA
Date of death (details)
28 January 1994
Woodland Hills, California, USA. (heart attack)

Howard McNear aka Floyd Lawson:
Date of birth (location)
27 January 1905
Los Angeles, California, USA
Date of death (details)
3 January 1969
San Fernando Valley, California, USA. (from the effects of a stroke)

Jack Dodson aka Howard Sprague:
Date of birth (location)
16 May 1931
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Date of death (details)
16 September 1994
Los Angeles, California, USA. (Heart failure)

Aneta Corsaut aka Helen Crump:
Date of birth (location)
3 November 1933
Hutchinson, Kansas, USA
Date of death (details)
6 November 1995
Studio City, California, USA. (cancer)

Hope Summers aka Clara Edwards:
Date of birth (location)
7 June 1896
Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Date of death (details)
22 June 1979
Woodland Hills, California, USA. (heart failure)

Parley Baer aka Mayor Stoner:
Date of birth (location)
5 August 1914
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date of death (details)
22 November 2002
Los Angeles, California, USA. (complications from a stroke)

Dick Elliot aka Mayor Pike:
Date of birth (location)
30 April 1886
Massachusetts, USA
Date of death (details)
22 December 1961
Burbank, California, USA. (natural causes)

Paul Hartman aka Emmet Clark:
Date of birth (location)
1 March 1904
San Francisco, California, USA
Date of death (details)
2 October 1973
Los Angeles, California, USA. (heart attack)

Howard Morris aka Ernest T. Bass:
Date of birth (location)
4 September 1919
New York, New York, USA
Date of death (details)
21 May 2005
Los Angeles, California, USA. (heart ailment)

Denver Pyle aka Briscoe Darling:
Date of birth (location)
11 May 1920
Bethune, Colorado, USA
Date of death (details)
25 December 1997
Burbank, California, USA. (lung cancer)

[Hardtarget]

Wifey is watching Mayberry right now. I'm going to carry a single .38 cartridge tomorrow in Barny's memory. We watch Andy and Barny five or six nights a week. Good kind of TV to go to sleep on. :D
Mark.

[SMLE]

Don Knotts also served in the US Army in WWII. IIRC, he wasn't in combat, but he wore the uniform and did his duty to his counrty.

[mustanger98]

Not only did Don Knotts serve in the Army, his character Barney Fife did too... as a librarian in a PX in Brooklyn. I recall they told that in an episode. Just recalling a paralell.

And there's a lot more to duty than being in combat. I've heard that for every man in combat, there's 7-10 men in support positions making it possible for that man on the front line to do his job. This is why we owe the support troops a big "thank you" too.

[PlayboyPenguin]

MrTwigg, the suggestion that he should be buried with his bullet in his shirt pocket was very moving. I always liked Don Knotts. As a fellow West Virginian I can say that the "Incredible Mr. Limpet" was one of my favorite movies. And lets not forget the work he did with Tim Conway.

[cosine]

Bless you Barney... The Big man upstairs will let you have a full cylinder...


...and your own set of keys.

Rest in Peace

And you no longer have to worry about having a ND and Andy then taking your gun from you. Rest in peace.

[el44vaquero]

So long to a great man.

[noklue3]

He made us laugh without making fun of anyone. (Except maybe himself) A talent that will be missed. I wish I would have really known him.

Sad to say that is not the way things are now days.

[MrChicken]

I am particulalry saddened by his passing.
RIP, Don.

[mustanger98]

Reminds me of what the obit. said about everybody laughing at him and with him at the same time.

[gunfighter45]

Very sad to see him go. I learned a lot in my law enforcement career from Barney and Andy. Not tactics but how to treat people.

[Zen21Tao]

I will never forget Don Knott's character Barney Fife. Many years ago I was introduced to the shooting sports by my uncle who used to take me out hunting with him. During my first season he taught me gun safety and familiarization by making me carry my shotgun unloaded with a few shells in my pocket. My first chance at bagging a buck was foiled by the depressing "click" of an unloaded dry fired gun. By the time I could dig out a shell bambi was out of my sight.

[Subby]

Many a couch will be burning in Morgantown tonight.

Montani Semper Liberi,
Sub

[DG2244]

Another of the great ones from a generation that had so many. Time may take them away but fond memories will bring them back. For the many laughs and smiles that we looked forward to each week as kids. This ones to you Don Knotts, Gods Speed.

[PATH]

God speed "Barney"! Mr. Knotts you will ever be in our hearts! Thank you for the laughter and the memories!:(

[1911 guy]

Godspeed, Don.

I regret not enjoying "Mayberry" until later in life. My Dad and I watch it every Sunday afternoon together now. He was part of a generation that was able to see humor in everyday circumstances and were kind enough to let the rest of us in on the joke. Talent and class like that are a rare commodity.

You will be missed, Deputy Fife.

[Pilot]

People like Don Knotts, Andy and the show they were on represent a wonderful era to me that is gone. It saddens me greatly. Don Knotts was a class act. Thanks for the memories Barney!

[Shootcraps]

I remember seeing him on "Pleasantville" and tears welled up in my eyes. He still had the charm and charisma that made the world love him. He was perfectly cast for that role.

RIP Deputy. ;)

[gp911]

He will be missed... It's amazing how a character like Barney Fife can be so timeless, simply because he was so human.


gp911

[lawdogso]

As posted by SMLE:
"Don Knotts also served in the US Army in WWII. IIRC, he wasn't in combat, but he wore the uniform and did his duty to his counrty."

It looks like Don Knotts did double duty. First he served then he entertained. With all the trash on tv that I won't let my kids see they can view any of the shows he did, no questions asked! I wish there were more people like him in the business. A man of values.

Thank You Mr. Knotts.

lawdogso

[Bainx]

He was part of the family that moved west and added the "s" onto the name.
I was told I am related to him along with the Knott's Berry Farm people from way back.
Too bad I did not get to meet him.

Barney will always rule!

[weet]

awww, im very sorry to learn of don's death.

in my mind ? i alway's thought he carried a S&W model 10.

why ? i dont know. just alway's thought that.

i too, hope he was buried with a bullet in his pockett.

weet

[SMLE]

I belive he carried a Colt Official Police revolver. I do know it ws a Colt. Went shooting today with some friends and each of us carried a .38 Spec. cartridge in our shirt pockets and put a few rounds through my Colt OP in honor of "Barney".
:(

[Texshooter]

MUSTANGER98

Thanks for your research on the actors in the show who have passed on, but did I read correctly that "Otis" and "Aunt Bee" passed away on the same day?

I just don't recall that.

[offthepaper]

It looks like Don Knotts did double duty. First he served then he entertained. With all the trash on tv that I won't let my kids see they can view any of the shows he did, no questions asked! I wish there were more people like him in the business. A man of values.

Thank You Mr. Knotts.

lawdogso
-------------------

So true, Don Knotts was from a time when what was on TV was truely entertaining. Today's shows either get their ratings from violence, attitude, sex, or the misery of others (reality shows) and send a mostly inappropriate theme or message, if they send anything at all. Back in the day when Lucy was trying to slip something past Ricky, and Deputy Fife was keeping the streets of Mayberry safe, the underlying message was stable family structures and unity, the ability to laugh at ones self without lashing out at others over false pride, the betterment of the community. The simple answer of what is right and wrong, hardley what we have today.
Don Knotts came from a better time, and has gone to a better place. God Bless.

[mustanger98]

Texshooter, I didn't notice about Otis's and Aunt Bea's date of death being the same until you brought it up and I had to look back. I also notice that their date of birth was the same as well.

[RioShooter]

Thanks to the moderator for keeping this thread open. On TFL it was closed because it was not gun related.

THR is best again.

[adaman04]

May God give him one blessing for every person he made laugh. Thanks for all the laughs!

[The Real Hawkeye]

Thanks, Don, for the many hours of wholesome and fun entertainment you provided for so many. You will be missed.

[foghornl]

Don Knotts is (sadly, now was) :( one of my favorite comedy actors. I cannot think of anyone else that could have played Bumblin' Barney Fife nearly so well.

Also remember his movies...(May not have titles exactly right) As The Incredible Mr. Limpett, he falls into the harbor and becomes a fish

Ghost & Mr. Chicken...there was at least 1 more, but I can't think of it right now.

Andy Griffith got his start in a Broadway Production of "No Time For Sargeants", and that role was carried over into the movie. IIRC, Don knotts was also in that movie.\

My 2 favorite episodes of Andy Griffith Show had Barney as the lead character...The motorcycle "...We'll set up our own Checkpoint Chicky..." and the one with 'Gomer' Citizen's Arrest...

[stevelyn]

RIP Mr. Knotts.:( Thanks for helping us laugh and pass the time.



Steve
Fan and fellow West Virginian

[V4Vendetta]

I'm gonna go to my room & cry now.:( Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Walter Mathauw* & now Don Knotts.:( All the good actors are dead or dying & we're stuck watching actors who are just "pretty boys":rolleyes: & can't act worth a bar of soap. At least we still have James Gardner, Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Caine & Sam Elliot though.

Barney, we'll miss you greatly. Rest now. No more problems.:(


*I think it's mis-spelled.

[MS .45]

A good comedian and a good man. Be at peace Mr. Knotts. You will be missed.

[bermbuster]

Don Knotts was certainly a heck of a guy and a great actor. Five Emmy awards. That has to be a record.

My favorite episode of The Andy Griffith Show was the one where Barney gets a motorcycle with a sidecar. The man was hysterically funny.

RIP

[f4t9r]

He gave me many laughs over the years and will go down as one of the best and we can still watch him thanks to shows like TV Land

[fiVe]

MUSTANGER98

Thanks for your research on the actors in the show who have passed on, but did I read correctly that "Otis" and "Aunt Bee" passed away on the same day?

I just don't recall that.


Texshooter, I didn't notice about Otis's and Aunt Bea's date of death being the same until you brought it up and I had to look back. I also notice that their date of birth was the same as well.

I'm not trying to be difficult or step on anyone's toes, but my research turned up the following:

Hal Smith
Born: 24 Aug 1916 - Potesky, MI_______|--- As posted
Died: 28 Jan 1994 - Woodland Hills, CA__|--- above

Frances Bavier
Born: 14 Dec 1902 - New York, NY
Died: 6 Dec 1989 - Siler City, NC

RIP, Don Knotts. Thanks for all the laughter. My 2 favorite characters: Barney Fife and Luther Heggs.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

I don't have any .38 Spl, but next time I go to the range I'll put a round of 9mm into my pocket in his honor.

RIP, Don.

- NF.

[gunsmith]

I watched (I think) mr twig as a kid in the sixties then I was supposed to go to bed, I couldn't stop laughing. every ten minutes I would remember a scene and start laughing again, my dad said one more laugh and you're getting a spanking...I got one.

[mustanger98]

fiVe, I just checked back and saw what happened. Matter of me getting my info off imdb.com, but then getting confused on what I'd cut and pasted. You posted this info correctly. And they did not die of quite the same problem either- heart attack vs congestive heart failure due to heart attack.

[Turkey Creek]

I've lived too long- Don Knotts and all the great ones are leaving us and we are the poorer for it- On the same day Darrin McGavin passed away also- I am a cult member of the "Kolchak Night Stalker" series- It was pretty campy but good entertainment- Not many in the entertainment business now are worthy of of their abilities- I will miss them both :(

[Hikingman]

Thanks for the humor Don, and for for making clear - the value of at least one live bullet in the next chamber, or for some, in the pocket.

[ATAShooter]

Ya know, they are remaking alot of movies and shows these days,.... But Don Knotts as Barney, and like Ed O'neill as Al Bundy will never be able to be duplicated... It was like they were put here for it.

[Texshooter]

AND NOW,

Chester from "Gunsmoke."

Dennis Weaver gone. It does seem like bad news can sometime come in units of 3.

R.I.P. to Don, Dennis and Daren.

[Phyphor]

...that he did stay pretty true to his hilarious ways, even on Matlock..... Personally, I didn't like that show... (Wasn't very interesting, solving the murder yourself wasn't very do-able in the later seasons, ) ..but whenever Mr. Knotts showed up, it was usually worth a laugh, the way he'd annoy 'ol Ben.

[SpookyPistolero]

Oh my God the wookalar! Sucks your brains right out of your nose, just schhhhhuuuuckkk!

It's a well known fact, that just like stakes for vampires, you need a time gun to kill a wookalar. Knowledge gained due to mr. knott's and connaway's fine work.

I watched that movie ad infinitum growing up and it still makes me laugh.

"Hilda is dead, and here's something to note. You can't bury her at sea, 'cause her bosoms will float."

"To dig your own grave, is quite a sight. But to bury yourself, is not very bright. There are more to kill, and the job'll be done. Now there are five, soon there'll be a lot less."

[mustanger98]

I've recently checked AGShow compilations from the library...when Barney became frantic and exctited that had to be some of funniest stuff you've ever seen...timeless...

I keep on getting reminded of stuff Mr. Knotts did. Thinking of him getting frantic and excited... I saw this documentary about him and they showed a character he invented called "the nervous man". They showed some clips and that was hilarious just watching Mr. Knotts twitch and fidget and carry on... and act like he was going through all that nervous stuff while trying also to act like there's nothing wrong. I couldn't watch without laughing.

And this just reminded me of what they told once about when Howard McNear signed on to play Floyd... the said he was so funny Mr. Knotts couldn't look at him without bustin' out laughin' and it took 20+ takes to shoot that one scene.

I remember when he came on Matlock too... it was good to see them working together again... just like old times, looked like to me... the way he'd show Barney-esqe stress dealing with Ben just like he had Andy years before.:D A line that stood out to me (because both of my grandfather's are/were WW2 vets) was between Mr. Knotts and Mr. Griffith, who are in my grandparents' age group and I'm not saying it as funny, but as a matter of some truth: Mr. Knotts said "at our age, whenever we say 'the war' nobody asks which one'.

Oh my God the wookalar! Sucks your brains right out of your nose, just schhhhhuuuuckkk!

I didn't see that movie, but the tone of this line reminds me of another of his famous lines:

"It's terrible, Andy. It's just terrible! I'll never live it down as long as I live

As to all the crap their passing off on us as comedy these days, seems to me we're long overdue to "NIP iiIIT in thE BUD!!!" It's as bad as some of these kids... "first their breakin' glass, then the next thing you know they'll be wearin' leather jackets and zoomin' around on motorcycles". But of course, in Mayberry, the only one ever zoomin' around on a motorcycle was Barney, who said each piece of clothing had a purpose, from helmet to jacket... (and Mr. Griffith had to ask) "and what are those heavy leather gauntlets for? in case a dog thinks you look silly and tries to bite you?" The sidecar scenes are a riot and Mr. Knotts knew how to carry it off.:D