RIP, Don Knotts

Actor Don Knotts, most famous for his role as Barney Fife on the very successful “The Andy Griffith Show” passed away last night. He was 81.

The AG Show is one of my all-time favorites and Knotts in the role of Deputy Fife always made me laugh … now, hopefully he’s making ’em smile in heaven.

Prayers and thoughts go out to Mr. Knotts’ family.

13 Responses to "RIP, Don Knotts"

forest hunter says:

February 25, 2006 at 6:58 pm

Here’s to the man we all knew as Barney, RIP. I echo the sentiments of Sister Toldja for the surviving members of his family.
stackja says:

February 25, 2006 at 7:50 pm

Amen!
Sloan says:

February 25, 2006 at 8:54 pm

Godspeed, Don Knotts. A thousand thanks for making me laugh, I don’t know how many times.
Big Bang Hunter says:

February 25, 2006 at 11:05 pm

– Who could ever forget that sheepish grin and tilt of his head as he jammed his thumbs in his waist band and answered one of Opies questions with the patented “…..Well now see Opie, its your basic law enforcement training that those of us in the biz have honed to a…”

At which point Andy would step in and rescue the kid….

– Rest well in the knowledge you brought endless hours of laughter to several generations of your fellow Americans, as well as fans in hundreds of other countries all over the world where Mayberry was syndicated….. Heres too you Don….another angel gets his star…

– Bang
Red Tory says:

February 25, 2006 at 11:19 pm

He will be missed. And let’s not forget his stellar role in “Pleasantville.” It’s impossible to think of anyone else playing that role. Apparently, he was a much better actor than many gave him credit for, with a remarkable gift for memorizing his lines and improvising whenever necessary.
camojack says:

February 25, 2006 at 11:36 pm

What about his movies? The Incredible Mister Limpet was ground-breaking in it’s mixture of animation and live action.
Lorica says:

February 26, 2006 at 8:44 am

As a friend said to me last night. “The Apple Dumpling Gang will ride no more”. I think my favorite line from the AG show as “let me get my bullet”. Just thinking about it now cracks me up. God Bless him and keep him and his family. – Lorica
Jeff says:

February 26, 2006 at 10:07 am

In an interview Andy Griffith said about the show, “Everything sprang from love.” That is why it endures now 46 years after it debuted. He also said, they never did jokes, they did humor.

You could also tell that Andy Griffith cared about his cast and the integrity of the show. Two things I read come to mind.

First, Howard MacNear (Floyd) had a stroke and left the show. That is when Jim Nabors joined the cast. Later Howard expressed interest in coming back. Andy wanted him back and made all kinds of accomadations for him. Look at the latter part of season 4 through about season 6 and watch Floyd. You never see him walking. They built a brace so he could stand or had him sitting down. In the last season he he was in he was sitting everytime. Setting that up so you never saw the brace or making the cuts so you never had to see him walk must have been difficult but they did it.

Second, Andy gave Ron Howard as normal of childhood as possible. When Ron wanted to play little league Andy shot around his schedule. Sometimes shooting Ron’s part of a conversation and then Andy’s later and making it look like they were there together. Ron later said when he became a director he realized how much Andy had done for him. To this day I think this is why Ron Howard never fell into that child star trap. Andy understood Ron was a child first and an actor second, not an actor who happened to be a child.

Great show, great characters. The Barney Fife character is maybe the most unique in television history.

If I have had a down day all I have to do is plug in an episode and I am cheered up.

Thanks Don and know that as long as there is television your work will always be on the air somewhere in the world.
PCD says:

February 26, 2006 at 11:14 am

I bet God only lets Knotts have one bullet. I wonder if he and John Ritter are doing a “3’s Company” in Heaven?
CZ says:

February 26, 2006 at 12:07 pm

Years ago I saw a photo of Don as Barney Fife next to a photo of Mick Jagger. The resembelance is incredible.

Was a compliment to Don or a slam at Mick?
Severian says:

February 26, 2006 at 2:59 pm

This is so sad, I always loved Don Knots. Just today, Darin McGavin also died, of Kolchak the Night Stalker fame. And a couple of weeks ago, Andreas Katsulas died of lung cancer, a veteran character actor who played numerous villians and mafioso types, but also is known for playing G’Kar on Babylon 5, a part he excelled in.

Sad, it seems so many of the icons of our youth are passing away.
Lorica says:

February 26, 2006 at 4:23 pm

It was a compliment to Mick and a slam to Don IMO. I could watch AG reruns, I can’t watch Mick Jagger more than two mins before his horrid voice would drive me out of the room. – Lorica
stackja says:

February 26, 2006 at 5:34 pm

The good die and the bad live on George C looney “traitor”.

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