Don Knotts Dies at 81

[paineinthearse]

In memorium - http://www.dubyamovie.com/



http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2006/02/26/333967.html

By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer
40 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Don Knotts, who won TV immortality and five Emmys for playing the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" with self-deprecating humor, was remembered by his friend and co-star as a comedic genius who wrote some of the show's best scenes. "Don was a small man ... but everything else about him was large: his mind, his expressions," Griffith told The Associated Press on Saturday. "Don was special. There's nobody like him."

Knotts, 81, died Friday of pulmonary and respiratory complications at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, said Sherwin Bash, his friend and manager. His half-century career included more than 25 films and seven TV series, most notably playing the bug-eyed deputy who 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.

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 spawned a large, active network of fan clubs. Knotts, whose shy, soft-spoken manner was unlike his high-strung characters, once said he was most proud of the Fife character and didn't mind being remembered that way.

<snip>

He married Kay Metz in 1948, the year he graduated from college. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1969. Knotts later married, then divorced Lara Lee Szuchna. Knotts is survived by his wife of three years, Francey Yarborough, and two children, Karen and Thomas, from his first marriage.

___

Associated Press writer Vicki Smith in Morgantown, W.Va., contributed to this report.

[Captain Hilts]

1. GREAT as the shrink in "No Time for Sergeants." nt

[welshTerrier2]

13. he was great but not as the shrink ...

i think he was in charge of testing manual dexterity ... he had those interlocking rings that the Andy Griffith character pulled out of shape to get them apart ...

that's a great movie you cited ...

[bullimiami]

2. we will miss you mr limpet

[Ready4Change]

3. And the TV Repairman from 'Pleasantville.'

It was always great to see him pop up in a role.

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. RIP Mr. Knotts

Thanks for the laughs!

[CowTow]

5. nip it nip it nip it nip it nip it nip it nip it nip it !

i've never heard anyone say even one bad thing about him his entire life.
thank you for being such a large part of my childhood -- a very nice part.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

6. Loved him as Mr. Furley. Say hi to John Ritter. RIP.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

7. delete post

[Blue Belle]

8. He will be missed!!!

I was so sad to read this online today. He and Tim Conway were absolutely hysterical together...

[paineinthearse]

9. dubyamovie.com

Would love to see John Stewart play this on the Daley Show - http://www.dubyamovie.com

[npincus]

10. i loved "The Reluctant Astronaut"

He was funny without saying a word. RIP.

[deutsey]

11. This truly saddens me.

RIP, Mr. Knotts.

:patriot:

[etherealtruth]

12. Truly saddens me, as well eom.

[MrBenchley]

14. First saw him on the old Steve Allen show....

As the nervous man in the street.....

Steve: What is your name sir, and what do you do for a living?
Don: John K.B. Siboney, and I work for the New York City Police Department's Bomb Squad.
Steve: And what does the K.B. stand for?
Don: KA BOOM!

Steve: What is your name sir, and what do you do for a living?
Don: John S.L. Siboney, and I am a plastic surgeon.
Steve: And what does the S.L. stand for?
Don: Sorry, lady....

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

15. I first saw him in "The Apple Dumpling Gang".

Great movie.

[MrBenchley]

16. He actually had kind of a tragic childhood

He was also a veteran....

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

17. I think that came through in his work,

he was always so endearing.

[SeattleRob]

18. RIP! N/T