Don Knotts will always be remembered for his iconic parts as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show and as landlord ‘Ralph Furley’ from the late 1970s show Three’s Company.
The late comedy star was truly one of the best and a real treasure of humor for everyone to cherish – he gave us so many giggles over the years. For me, he’s one of the most hilarious actors ever and his shocked face still makes me laugh today.
After Don’s breakthrough with The Andy Griffith Show, he became one of the most recognized faces in America. But he always kept his personal life private. It was only after his sad passing in 2006 that many secrets about him were uncovered…
Don Knotts was born in 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, growing up in relative hardship. His dad worked as a farmer and his mom had already turned 40 when she had Don.
He started off with a rough beginning. Don’s father suffered a nervous breakdown when Don was born. He also had a violent side, reportedly once chasing his son with a knife.
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Naturally, these tough experiences impacted young Don making him quite shy, always trying to shield himself from outside dangers. Those traits stayed with him throughout life – even though he seemed totally different while performing on stage.
Don also had four brothers; however two sadly passed away at young ages. His oldest brother Earl died when just 13 years old due to pneumonia which back then was very serious (this being before antibiotics were common). Another brother William died at age 31.
Don grew up with his mother running a boarding house owned by their family. Despite all the sadness during childhood, he developed an amazing talent for making people laugh! He could bring smiles to faces even at an early age but it took time before Hollywood noticed him.
He began working hard as a chicken plucker but even before high school started showing interest in ventriloquism performing regularly at churches and other events.
Eventually, Don went to New York hoping to become famous as comedian – but it didn’t go well at all! Feeling downhearted, he returned home to West Virginia and joined the United States Army during World War II.
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Before long ,he used this enlistment opportunity touring & entertaining troops using his doll Danny “Hooch” Matador in shows called Stars & Gripes .
He earned several medals for what he did serving until1946 across western Pacific Islands . Although never holding weapons or fighting enemies ,he played key role easing soldiers lives bringing laughter during tough times .
When returning home ,D on moved back New York where career would take off thanks contacts Special Service Secret Branch gaining foothold entertainment industry . He got break soap opera Sear ch For Tomorrow playing role between1953–1955 .
“It was only serious role I ever played professionally,” said later .
When casted Deputy Barney Fire on The Andy Griffith Show probably didn’t realize how much it would change everything ! Achieving huge success starring thin wiry high-strung deputy .
In the 1980s, Don Knotts teamed up again with Andy Griffith in the TV movie Return to Mayberry, where he reprised his role as the cherished deputy Barney Fife.
During the 2000s, Don was still active but mostly took on voice roles. He even voiced Scooby-Doo in a video game. In 2000, he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Towards the end of his life, this iconic actor fought lung cancer and all its awful effects. He passed away at age 81 in a Los Angeles hospital and was laid to rest at Westwood Memorial Park in LA.
A few years back, Don’s daughter Karen shared some touching moments from her father’s last days. While visiting him, she found herself laughing at his endless jokes.
“He was literally dying but said something that made my stepmom and me burst into laughter! I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to be standing there laughing at my beloved father who’s dying,’” Karen told Closer Weekly.
In another interview with Fox News, she talked about how it felt “forbidden” to laugh by your dad’s deathbed – which is usually seen as wrong under normal conditions.
“He wasn’t trying to be funny – he just was! Sometimes he’d say or do something hilarious without meaning it. We were sitting with him knowing it was close to the end of his illness; it felt so heavy. Then suddenly he did something so funny that we couldn’t help but giggle,” Karen explained further:
“I just had to leave that room! I didn’t want him thinking I was laughing at him because he could get sensitive about stuff like that. But I thought ‘Oh my God, I need out now.’ Later on, I told [director] Howard Storm about it and he said ‘You should have stayed and laughed! That’s what comedians live for.’ But hurting my dad’s feelings wasn’t what I wanted!”
Karen mentioned her father never lost his humor – not even when facing death. However, she has one regret:
“I told this story to Howard Storm who said ‘You should have stayed and laughed out loud!’ He was right; maybe I should’ve just stood there cracking up,” she added.
Don Knotts had three marriages and two kids – one son & one daughter. His daughter Karen followed in her father’s footsteps becoming an actress herself despite Don not wanting her in showbiz!
“We didn’t see much of him since he worked long hours,” Karen recalled “And when home he’d be locked away working on lines while we were young kids.”
She remembered helping him rehearse: “He asked me run lines.”
When Karen published her memoirs many details about their family came out – things people might have wondered about before!
Most importantly though? It was Don’s tough childhood that really affected him deeply.
“My dad carried a lot of weight from those problems,” said Karen.
Throughout life Don dealt with hypochondria & macular degeneration too. Betty Lynn who co-starred with Dons’ on The Andy Griffith Show described him as “a very quiet man” who seemed nothing like Barney Fife!
To cope with these challenges? He turned towards therapy for help:
“He had many moods & battled depression often; I’d try helping by pointing out positives,” shared Karen
Don Knotts’ legacy continues today – there’s even a statue honoring him back home in Morgantown!
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“It’s a prop that represents the script for The Ghost and Mr. Chicken which he worked on around the same time. So, it’s a reference to his movie work in his left hand and a nod to his TV role with the Andy Griffith Show with the item for Barney Fife in his right hand,” artist Jamie Lester explains.
The 5-time Emmy Award-winning star was also recognized with “Don Knotts Boulevard” in Morgantown.
“Don was unique. There’s no one like him. I cared for him deeply. We shared a long and amazing life together I told him I loved him, and I held onto his hand. His chest moved several times, and I think he heard me,” Andy Griffith said to WFMY when Don passed away in 2006.
Don Knotts was truly one of the best people and actors ever – share this article on Facebook if you agree.
