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

_Jack&Janet_ · 02-25-2006, 06:53 PM

I'm at a lose for words....

Heart Shaped Box · 02-25-2006, 07:00 PM

OMG! I seriously thought this was a joke at first..

I Love John Ritter · 02-25-2006, 07:10 PM

OMG, this is so sad. R.I.P Don Knotts

KristenJ · 02-25-2006, 07:13 PM

R.I.P. Don, luv ya so much!!!

missjohnR · 02-25-2006, 07:15 PM

This is soooooooo sad. First John and now Don. I will keep his family in my prayers. I knew Don was sick. He was sick for a while now. He was being honored with an award but he was too sick to attend. He had to stay in bed. So I'm half surprise that he's gone but another part of me isn't due to knowing his health.

TV DVD Fan · 02-25-2006, 07:20 PM

I too am at a loss for words. An inspiration. Your wonderful work on "Three's Company" will never pass as unforgotten. You were special; you made the show special. I feel as if a part of my own life has been cut off.

Pat

Brian Damage · 02-25-2006, 07:23 PM

Mr. Furley was the best!

IloveJack · 02-25-2006, 07:25 PM

I loved Don as RF and thought he was one of the greatest actors around. RIP Don Knotts, you will always be in our hearts!

Moonlight Lady · 02-25-2006, 07:33 PM

This really sucks

I shouldn't be shocked. I knew he was sick for quite awhile, but, when you hear it on TV...Man.

He's the fourth cast member of TC to go.

R.I.P Don, We'll miss you.

staypuftman2004 · 02-25-2006, 07:38 PM

KissMyGrits · 02-25-2006, 08:00 PM

RIP!! He was a wonderful performer and could make people laugh!! I loved him in whatever show he was in!! He eill truly be missed by all his fans!!

Wildchats · 02-25-2006, 08:11 PM

Very sad news, indeed. He was getting on in years. However, he still had a lot of life and "Furley-ness with those characters he continued to portray. I remember when he portrayed the Mayor, I think in "Quints" on the Disney Channel a few years ago. He was awesome in that!

PrettyinPink55 · 02-25-2006, 08:11 PM

Well, that's another Three's Company cast member we've lost.

It's so hard to believe, because they are so alive when we watch them on TV, especially on Three's Company!

Rest in Peace Mr. Furley!

You gave us laughter and so much more!!! And you will keep doing so for generations to come!

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
_Jack&Janet_ Together in my book Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 19, 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 265	I'm at a lose for words....
	__________________ Aren't they Cute! John got all the attention

02-25-2006, 07:00 PM	#4
Heart Shaped Box Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 16, 2005 Location: New York Posts: 2,510	OMG! I seriously thought this was a joke at first..
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02-25-2006, 07:10 PM	#5
I Love John Ritter Miss ya, John Senior Member Join Date: Apr 06, 2004 Location: In John Ritter's arms Posts: 2,687	OMG, this is so sad. R.I.P 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	#6
KristenJ Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 04, 2005 Posts: 203	R.I.P. Don, luv ya so much!!!
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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, 07:15 PM	#7
missjohnR KELLIE PICKLER IS #1 Frequent Poster Join Date: May 06, 2005 Location: Somewhere in the East where alot of people NEVER heard of. Posts: 434	OMG!!!!!!! This is soooooooo sad. First John and now Don. I will keep his family in my prayers. I knew Don was sick. He was sick for a while now. He was being honored with an award but he was too sick to attend. He had to stay in bed. So I'm half surprise that he's gone but another part of me isn't due to knowing his health.
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02-25-2006, 07:20 PM	#8
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	I too am at a loss for words. An inspiration. Your wonderful work on "Three's Company" will never pass as unforgotten. You were special; you made the show special. I feel as if a part of my own life has been cut off. Pat
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02-25-2006, 07:23 PM	#9
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	Mr. Furley was the best!
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02-25-2006, 07:25 PM	#10
IloveJack Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2004 Posts: 47	I loved Don as RF and thought he was one of the greatest actors around. RIP Don Knotts, you will always be in our hearts!

02-25-2006, 07:33 PM	#11
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	This really sucks I shouldn't be shocked. I knew he was sick for quite awhile, but, when you hear it on TV...Man. He's the fourth cast member of TC to go. R.I.P Don, We'll miss you.
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02-25-2006, 07:38 PM	#12
staypuftman2004 NWO-4-LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,450
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02-25-2006, 08:00 PM	#13
KissMyGrits HEGM! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 01, 2004 Location: Las Vegas Baby! Posts: 2,135	RIP!! He was a wonderful performer and could make people laugh!! I loved him in whatever show he was in!! He eill truly be missed by all his fans!!
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02-25-2006, 08:11 PM	#14
Wildchats Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,076	Very sad news, indeed. He was getting on in years. However, he still had a lot of life and "Furley-ness with those characters he continued to portray. I remember when he portrayed the Mayor, I think in "Quints" on the Disney Channel a few years ago. He was awesome in that!
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02-25-2006, 08:11 PM	#15
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Well, that's another Three's Company cast member we've lost. It's so hard to believe, because they are so alive when we watch them on TV, especially on Three's Company! Rest in Peace Mr. Furley! You gave us laughter and so much more!!! And you will keep doing so for generations to come!
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