Don Knotts

Jesse Donald "Don" KnottsJesse Donald “Don” Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three’s Company in the 1980s.
In 1979, Knotts returned to series television in his second most identifiable role, landlord Ralph Furley on Three’s Company. The series, which was already an established hit, added Knotts to the cast when the original landlords, a married couple played by Audra Lindley and Norman Fell, left the show to star in a short-lived spin-off series (The Ropers). Though the role of the outlandish, overdressed, nerdy-geeky-Don Knottsbuffoon landlord was originally intended to be a minor recurring character, Knotts was so funny and lovable as a character who fantasized that he was an incredibly attractive lothario, that the writers greatly expanded his role. On set, Knotts easily integrated himself to the already-established cast who were, as John Ritter put it, “so scared” of Knotts because of his star status when he joined the cast. When Suzanne Sommers left the show after a contract dispute in 1981, the writers started giving the material meant for Sommers’ Crissy to Knotts’ Furley. Knotts remained on the show until it ended in 1984. The Three’s Company script supervisor, Carol Summers, went on to be Knotts’ agent—often accompanying him to personal appearances.
In 1986, Don Knotts reunited with Andy Griffith in the 1986 made-for-television movie Return to Mayberry, where he reprised his role as Barney Fife yet again. In 1988, he joined Griffith in another show, playing a recurring role as pesky neighbor Les Calhoun on Matlock until 1992.
Jesse Donald KnottsAfter his appearances on Matlock ended in 1992, Knotts’ roles became sporadic including a cameo in the 1996 film Big Bully as the principal of the high school. In 1998, Knotts had a small but pivotal role as a mysterious TV repairman in Pleasantville with Reese Witherspoon. That year, his home town of Morgantown, West Virginia, changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Ave (US 119, SR 73) to “Don Knotts Boulevard” on “Don Knotts Day”. Also that day, in a nod to Don’s role as Barney Fife, he was also named an honorary Deputy Sheriff with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.
The actor was married to college sweetheart Kathryn (Kay) Metz from 1947-64 and to Loralee Czuchna from 1974-83. He had two children from his first marriage, Karen and Thomas. He was married to actress Francey Yarborough at the time of his death.