Jesse Donald "Don" Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was a highly respected comedic actor, best known for his role on The Andy Griffith Show as Barney Fife, a portrayal for which he won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor five times.
Born and raised in West Virginia, Knotts served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He began his acting career on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow in 1953, though he first rose to fame as a recurring cast member on The Steve Allen Show. A long and fruitful association with Andy Griffith started when the two were cast in the Broadway play and film versions of No Time For Sergeants. After leaving The Andy Griffith Show, he starred in several comic films aimed at kids such as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, and The Shakiest Gun in the West, later pairing with Tim Conway during The '70s in movies such as The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Private Eyes.
Later, he appeared in two episodes of The New Scooby-Doo Movies (with his likeness being used as a Mythology Gag on many future Scooby-Doo properties) and on Three's Company as the landlord Ralph Furley, as well as reuniting with his old co-star Andy Griffith in several episodes of Matlock and having a memorable supporting role in Pleasantville.
TV Tropes filmography for Don Knotts:
- Wake Me When It's Over (1960) as Sgt. Percy Warren
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as Nervous Motorist
- The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) as Henry Limpet
- The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) as Luther Heggs
- The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) as Roy Fleming
- The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) as Jesse W. Heywood
- The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) as Theodore Ogelvie
- No Deposit, No Return (1976) as Bert
- Gus (1976) as Coach Venner
- Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) as Wheely Applegate
- Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978) as Sheriff Denver Kid
- The Private Eyes (1980) as Inspector Winship
- Cannonball Run II (1984) as CHP Officer #2
- Return to Mayberry (1986) as Barney Fife
- Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night (1987) as Gee Willikers (voice)
- Big Bully (1996) as Principal Kokelar
- Cats Don't Dance (1997) as T.W. Turtle (voice)
- Pleasantville (1998) as TV Repairman
- Quints (2000) as Gov. Healy (TV Movie)
- Chicken Little (2005) as Mayor Turkey Lurkey (voice)
- Air Buddies (2006) as Sniffer (voice)
- The Steve Allen Show (1957–60) as Himself
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1 episode, 1960) as Esmond Metzger
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960–68) as Barney Fife
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1 episode, 1968)
- The Red Skelton Show (4 episodes, 1961–65) as various
- McHale's Navy (1 episode, 1965) as Lt. Pratt
- The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1 episode, 1968) as Himself - Guest
- The Bill Cosby Show (1 episode, 1970) as Leo Swann
- The New Scooby-Doo Movies (2 episodes, 1972) as Himself/Homer Pipsqueak (voice)
- Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1 episode, 1974) as Charles "Bumbles" Johnson (voice)
- The Muppet Show (1 episode, 1977) as Himself - Special Guest Star
- Fantasy Island (2 episodes, 1978–79) as Felix Birdsong/Stanley Scheckter
- Three's Company (1979–84) as Ralph Furley
- The Love Boat (1 episode, 1979) as Himself
- Inspector Gadget (1 episode, 1985) as Male M.A.D. Agent (voice)
- Matlock (1988–92) as Les Calhoun
- Newhart (1 episode, 1990) as Iron
- Fish Police (1 episode, 1992) as Mr. Lichen (voice)
- Step by Step (1 episode, 1993) as Deputy Feif
- 8 Simple Rules (1 episode, 2003) as Himself
- Odd Job Jack (1 episode, 2003) as Dirk Douglas (voice)
- Johnny Bravo (2 episodes, 2004) as Himself
- That '70s Show (1 episode, 2005) as The Landlord
- Fatherhood (2 episodes, 2005) as Edwin Mazur (voice)
- Las Vegas (1 episode, 2005) as Himself
- Robot Chicken (1 episode, 2005) as Himself
- Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights (2002) as Groundskeeper (voice)
Tropes associated with Don Knotts's work:
- The Bus Came Back: Barney came back for some guest appearances.
- Clueless Deputy: Barney practically codified this trope.
- Dirty Old Man: Not Don Knotts himself, but how he portrayed Mr. Furley.
- Embarrassing First Name: His full name is Jesse Donald Knotts.
- Ghost Story: The film The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, in which he plays the emponymous Mr. Chicken. It's about a cowardly reporter investigating the local Haunted House.
- Hollywood Tone-Deaf: A frequent part of Don's comedy acts and as his signature role of Barney Fife. Averted in real life, as he was a talented singer with a fine baritone voice. He used the upper register of his voice and a rather nasal tone when acting as Barney.
- Ink-Suit Actor: In The Incredible Mr. Limpet.
- Lovable Coward: His frequent screen persona.
- Put on a Bus: Don Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show and the character of Barney Fife accepted a new job in Charlotte. He did come back for a few guest appearances, and also for the 1986 reunion TV movie Return to Mayberry.
- Slapstick: He was a master of the craft.
