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In Remembrance: Don Knotts
Don Knotts, the wide-eyed comic actor known for his iconic roles on
television sitcoms and in several screen comedies in the 1970s and
80s, has passed away on February 24, 2006 in Los Angeles, CA. He was
81.
Born July 21, 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, Knotts turned to
performing as a teen in order to escape an unhappy upbringing. After
serving in the Army during World War II and receiving the Victory
Medal among other commendations, Knotts attended West Virginia
University. After graduating in 1948 with an education degree, he
moved to New York City to pursuer an acting career.
In 1953, Knotts landed his first television role, that of the
neurotic Wilbur Peterson on the soap opera Search For Tomorrow.
It would be the comic actor’s only serious role. After he left the
series in 1955, he landed a role in playwright Ira Levin’s comedy
No Time For Sergeants. The role not only brought Knotts critical
acclaimed, it was also his first pairing with actor Andy Griffith,
who would become Knotts’ life-long friend. Knotts furthered his
comedic reputation by recurring appearances on NBC’s late night talk
show The Steve Allen Show between 1956 and 1960.
Knotts joined with Griffith in reprising their stage role for the
1958 film adaptation of No Time For Sergeants. The two then
went on to star in the rural comedy series The Andy Griffith Show,
with Knotts standing out as the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife. Knotts
would win Emmy Awards for each of the five years he was on the show.
Knotts used his television cache to land more film
roles, appearing as support in such films as The Last Time I Saw
Archie (1961), It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Move
Over, Darling (both 1963). His first starring film role was in
the 1964 comedy The Incredible Mr. Limpet, which featured
Knotts as a meek man who is transformed into a fish through a
combination of live action and animation.
In 1966, Knotts headlined The Ghost And Mr. Chicken, the
first of a five film contract with Universal that also yielded
The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun In The West
(1968), The Love God? (1969) and How To Frame A Fig
(1971). Although they were panned at the time of their release,
comic actors like Jim Carey and Martin Short have sited these films
as influences.
Knotts moved over to Disney Studios for a series of
family comedies including The Apple Dumpling Gang, Gus
(both 1976), Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo (1977) and The
Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979).
In 1979, Knotts created his second memorable television
character in the form of Ralph Furley, the ascot-wearing landlord
who fancied himself a ladies man, on ABC’s racy sex farce Three’s
Comedy. Although, his work on the sitcom may have raised his
public profile, Knotts wasn’t able to fully re-energize his film
career. He would appear in films such as The Prize Fighter
(1979), Cannonball Run II (1984) and Pleasantville
(1998). His last role was providing the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey
for the animated feature Chicken Little (2005). |
