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Don Knotts

Birth Name:
Jesse Donald Knotts
Birth Place:
Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack, Writer
Don Knotts

Fast Facts

  • Earned five Emmy awards for his role as Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show"
  • Enlisted in the U․S․ Army following high school and spent most of his time entertaining troops during WWII
  • Quote: "I thought of Barney as a kid․ You can always look into the faces of kids and see what they are thinking, if they're happy or sad․ That's what I tried to do with Barney․"
  • Quote: "My idol was Jack Benny and he was the master of subtlety and timing․"
  • Passed away on February 24, 2006 in Los Angeles due to complications from lung cancer just hours after a visit from friend and co-star, Andy Griffith
  • After leaving "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1965, he signed a five-film deal with Universal Studios and would later star as a supporting character on the 1980s hit sitcom, "Three's Company"
  • After performing ventriloquist acts across the country, he would later gain fame in the late 1950s in Steve Allen's variety show, a role that would help him land his most memorable role to date, Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show"
  • Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000
  • Has a statue erected of his likeness in his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia
  • Tired of performing his ventriloquist act and being upstaged by his doll, he reportedly threw 'Danny' overboard in the South Pacific while serving in the Army

Awards

  • 1961Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Series:Winner
  • 1962Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor:Winner
  • 1963Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor:Winner
  • 1966Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy:Winner
  • 1967Golden Laurel - Male Comedy Performance:Nominated
  • 1967Gold Medal - Favorite TV Program:Nominated
  • 1967Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy:Winner
  • 2003TV Land Award - Favorite Second Banana:Winner
  • 2003TV Land Award - Nosiest Neighbor:Nominated
  • 2004TV Land Award - Favorite Fashion Plate - Male:Nominated
  • 2004Legend AwardWinner
  • 2005TV Land Award - Favorite Nosy Neighbor:Nominated
  • 2024OFTA TV Hall of Fame - Character:Winner
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