APW 0 Posted February 26, 2006 (edited) Don Knotts, the irrepressible comic actor who won five Emmys as Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, died Friday night in Los Angeles; he was 81. Knotts died of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, and had recently suffered health problems that kept him from making an appearance at his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, last August. Knotts started out in entertainment as a ventriloquist before returning to college and then enlisting in the army at the onset of World War II. After the war and college, he returned to New York and pursued a career in radio and television; he nabbed a part as a psychiatrist in the Broadway play No Time for Sergeants, which starred actor Andy Griffith. He reprised his role in the film version, and after moving to Los Angeles, was cast opposite Griffith in the actor's eponymous sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. The show ran from 1960-1968, and Knotts won an unprecedented five Best Supporting Actor Emmys in a row as manic deputy Barney Fife, a role for which he would forever be identified. After leaving the show, Knotts embarked on a film career, appearing in family-friendly films such as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Reluctant Astronaut and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, among others. His career in the 70s was marked primarily by Disney films such as The Apple Dumpling Gang and No Deposit, No Return, until he joined the sitcom Three's Company in the middle of the show's run as the bumbling landlord Mr. Furley, forever interfering in his tenant's lives. After Three's Company, Knotts made innumerable appearances in television shows and occasionally films; one of his most notable recent roles was as a mysterious television repairman who sets strange events in motion in the film Pleasantville. Knotts was married twice, to Kay Mets from 1948-1969, with whom he had two children, and to Lara Lee Szuchna from 1974 to 1983. Edited February 26, 2006 by APW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youbroughtheryouRiker 2 Posted February 26, 2006 R.I.P. Don I loved the movies of his that I saw. Check out Private Eyes with Tim Conway. Awesome stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Itchygomba69 0 Posted February 26, 2006 I just saw it on the News Bummer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen of Borg 2 Posted February 26, 2006 Oh no. I haven't heard until just now, that is sad news R.I.P. Gonna nip it in the bud Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kor37 9 Posted February 26, 2006 Don Knotts was a national treasure. One of the best comedic talents of all time. I especially loved "The Incredible Mr. Limpet". Rest In Peace, Don. You've earned it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KIMIMELA 1 Posted February 26, 2006 (edited) Both these actors you have mentioned today I have not heard of before but I cannot pass without giving thoughts. My prayers and thoughts are with his friends and family etc at this time. Ohhh, please Lord no more... Edited February 26, 2006 by xXTrekkieCaraXx Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekz 7 Posted February 26, 2006 I agree, Don Knotts was a national treasure who kept working too. He did the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in the recent Chicken Little movie. His movies were always fun. I watched him live and in reruns as BArney Fife for years. "Gonna Nip it in the Bud!" Indeed! R.I.P. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stvoyagerfan 1 Posted February 27, 2006 i was surprised to find this out. he was a great comedian. RIP Don Knotts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trekmachine 0 Posted February 27, 2006 You will be missed Don Knotts :sadwalk: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
