Don Knotts has died... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 02-25-2006, 06:48 PM

Actor Don Knotts Dies at 81

(AP) Cast members from "The Andy Griffith Show", from left: Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Ron Howard...
Full Image

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. He was 81.

Knotts died Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, said Paul Ward, a spokesman for the cable network TV Land, which airs "The Andy Griffith Show," and another Knotts hit, "Three's Company."

Unspecified health problems had forced him to cancel an appearance in his native Morgantown in August 2005.

The West Virginia-born actor's half-century career included seven TV series and more than 25 films, but it was the Griffith show that brought him TV immortality and five Emmies.

The show ran from 1960-68, and was in the top 10 of the Nielsen ratings each season, including a No. 1 ranking its final year. It is one of only three series in TV history to bow out at the top: The others are "I Love Lucy" and "Seinfeld." The 249 episodes have appeared frequently in reruns and have spawned a large, active network of fan clubs.

As the bug-eyed deputy to Griffith, Knotts carried in his shirt pocket the one bullet he was allowed after shooting himself in the foot. The constant fumbling, a recurring sight gag, was typical of his self-deprecating humor.

Knotts, whose shy, soft-spoken manner was unlike his high-strung characters, once said he was most proud of the Fife character and doesn't mind being remembered that way.

His favorite episodes, he said, were "The Pickle Story," where Aunt Bea makes pickles no one can eat, and "Barney and the Choir," where no one can stop him from singing. "I can't sing. It makes me sad that I can't sing or dance well enough to be in a musical, but I'm just not talented in that way," he lamented. "It's one of my weaknesses."

bad_boy · 02-25-2006, 06:50 PM

That's so sad. RIP

KristenJ · 02-25-2006, 06:53 PM

wow, i cant believe it. i just turned to fox news when they said he died last night. im in shock, thats so sad.

he was a good man.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 02-25-2006, 07:00 PM

OMG, no

I love him. RIP

SBTB Geek · 02-25-2006, 07:05 PM

RIP.

Hollow · 02-25-2006, 07:11 PM

awww

I Love John Ritter · 02-25-2006, 07:11 PM

So sad.

Don Knotts

Heart Shaped Box · 02-25-2006, 07:13 PM

I still can't believe this is happening..

R.I.P Don

EmoJoe · 02-25-2006, 07:16 PM

Brian Damage · 02-25-2006, 07:22 PM

To the great Don Knotts

Janice · 02-25-2006, 07:22 PM

MaydayMalonesGirl · 02-25-2006, 07:23 PM

Aw, man.

Southern Hellraiser · 02-25-2006, 07:25 PM

Rip

Courtnee · 02-25-2006, 07:33 PM

staypuftman2004 · 02-25-2006, 07:37 PM

02-25-2006, 06:48 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Don Knotts has died... Actor Don Knotts Dies at 81 (AP) Cast members from "The Andy Griffith Show", from left: Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Ron Howard... Full Image LOS ANGELES (AP) - Don Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show," has died. He was 81. Knotts died Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, said Paul Ward, a spokesman for the cable network TV Land, which airs "The Andy Griffith Show," and another Knotts hit, "Three's Company." Unspecified health problems had forced him to cancel an appearance in his native Morgantown in August 2005. The West Virginia-born actor's half-century career included seven TV series and more than 25 films, but it was the Griffith show that brought him TV immortality and five Emmies. The show ran from 1960-68, and was in the top 10 of the Nielsen ratings each season, including a No. 1 ranking its final year. It is one of only three series in TV history to bow out at the top: The others are "I Love Lucy" and "Seinfeld." The 249 episodes have appeared frequently in reruns and have spawned a large, active network of fan clubs. As the bug-eyed deputy to Griffith, Knotts carried in his shirt pocket the one bullet he was allowed after shooting himself in the foot. The constant fumbling, a recurring sight gag, was typical of his self-deprecating humor. Knotts, whose shy, soft-spoken manner was unlike his high-strung characters, once said he was most proud of the Fife character and doesn't mind being remembered that way. His favorite episodes, he said, were "The Pickle Story," where Aunt Bea makes pickles no one can eat, and "Barney and the Choir," where no one can stop him from singing. "I can't sing. It makes me sad that I can't sing or dance well enough to be in a musical, but I'm just not talented in that way," he lamented. "It's one of my weaknesses."

02-25-2006, 06:53 PM	#3
KristenJ Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 04, 2005 Posts: 203	wow, i cant believe it. i just turned to fox news when they said he died last night. im in shock, thats so sad. he was a good man.
	__________________ I guess it's hard for people who are so used to things the way they are-even if they're bad-to change. They kind of give up. And when they do, everybody kind of loses -Pay It Forward

02-25-2006, 07:00 PM	#4
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	OMG, no I love him. RIP
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

02-25-2006, 07:11 PM	#7
I Love John Ritter Miss ya, John Senior Member Join Date: Apr 06, 2004 Location: In John Ritter's arms Posts: 2,687	So sad. Don Knotts
	__________________ Highlight between the X and the O X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there! O Johnathan Southworth Ritter September 17, 1948 - September 11, 2003 Five years without you. Don Knotts July 21, 1924 - February 24, 2006.

02-25-2006, 07:13 PM	#8
Heart Shaped Box Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 16, 2005 Location: New York Posts: 2,510	I still can't believe this is happening.. R.I.P Don
	__________________ We are leaving somethings unsaid And we are breathing deeper instead There's really no way to reach me There's really no way to reach me There's really no way to reach me Cause I'm already gone

02-25-2006, 06:50 PM	#2
bad_boy Member Forum Star Join Date: Sep 18, 2003 Location: Merritt Island, FL Posts: 19,576	That's so sad. RIP

02-25-2006, 07:05 PM	#5
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	RIP.

02-25-2006, 07:11 PM	#6
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	awww

02-25-2006, 07:16 PM	#9
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

02-25-2006, 07:22 PM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	To the great Don Knotts
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-25-2006, 07:23 PM	#12
MaydayMalonesGirl ACID! POLICEHHHH! Forum Star Join Date: Apr 24, 2003 Location: in a van down by the river. Posts: 18,393	Aw, man.

02-25-2006, 07:25 PM	#13
Southern Hellraiser Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 08, 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 19,960	Rip
	__________________ Jeremy

02-25-2006, 07:33 PM	#14
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

02-25-2006, 07:37 PM	#15
staypuftman2004 NWO-4-LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,450
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