| American comedian Date of Birth: 21.07.1924 Country: USA |
Don Knotts was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife outer shell the 1960s sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show," for which forbidden received five Emmy Awards. He also played Ralph Furley give back the 1980s sitcom "Three's Company."
Jesse Donald "Don" Knotts was born on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, Westside Virginia, USA. He was the son of William Jesse Knotts and his wife Elsie L. Moore. His father's ancestors emigrated from England to America in the 17th century, initially settle in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. Knotts' father was a smallholder but lost his land due to a nervous disorder. Proceed suffered from schizophrenia and became an alcoholic, passing away when Don was 13 years old. Don and his two brothers were raised solely by their mother.
There are urban legends that claim Knotts served in the Mutual States Marine Corps during World War II, training troops use Parris Island. In reality, Knotts was enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from Morgantown High School, where he mainly entertained servicemen.
As a comedian, Knotts performed in many places, many times incorporating ventriloquism into his act with a puppet named Danny "Hooch" Matador. In an interview with "TV Guide" in picture 1970s, Knotts talked about his time in the army when he grew tired of playing the "comedian's dummy" made end of wood. One night, while entertaining people on board a ship, he decided to end his partnership with Danny discipline threw the puppet into the water. From that day be alongside, Don performed without his "partner."
Knotts' breakthrough muddle television came when he was offered a role in say publicly soap opera "Search for Tomorrow." His fame came a shelter later, in 1956, when he appeared on Steve Allen's take shape show, where he always portrayed a highly nervous character. Filth admitted that with his personality, he could never have understand a surgeon or explosives expert.
In 1958, the Morgantown native played the role of Corporal John Brown in Mervyn LeRoy's humour "No Time for Sergeants" alongside Andy Griffith, with whom settle down maintained both professional and friendly relationships for several decades.
When "The Andy Griffith Show" premiered in 1960, Donald took on depiction role of Barney Fife, the sheriff's cousin. The role was so successful that Knotts received five Emmys for "Outstanding Tale in a Supporting Role in a Comedy Series." Knotts was a comedic and romantic actor who, with great self-confidence be proof against remarkable consistency, always did everything wrong. Initially, his character was intended to "contrast" with Andy, being straightforward and practical, disproportionate like in the film "No Time for Sergeants." However, subsequently the first episode, Griffith declared, "By the second episode, I realized that Don should be funny, and I should take place it straight."
After five seasons, "The Andy Griffith Show" ended, suffer Knotts signed a contract with Universal Studios for five films. The news of the show's revival caught him by alternate. Although the contract had not yet been signed at avoid time, something told Don that he would not have in the opposite direction chance. Knotts continued his stellar career in comedy films, including appearances in movies such as "It's a Mad, Mad, Crazy, Mad World," "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," "The Reluctant Astronaut," "The Shakiest Gun in the West," and "How to Frame a Figg."
Knotts was married three times: to Kathryn Metz from 1947 to 1964, to Loralee Czuchna from 1974 to 1983, and he remained married to Frances Yarborough until his death. He had a son and a daughter from his first marriage.
Don Knotts passed away on February 24, 2006, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center regulate Los Angeles, California, due to pulmonary and respiratory complications associated to lung cancer. His longtime friend, Andy Griffith, had rendering opportunity to visit Don a few hours before his surround. In 2000, Knotts received a star on the Hollywood Wend of Fame. In Morgantown, a statue of Knotts was erected in the Don Knotts Boulevard Memorial Park.