Don Knotts

Twitchy TV comic Don Knotts was born July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, W.Va. A former ventriloquist and World War II veteran, Knotts graduated from West Virginia University and went to New York, where he found work in radio and as the "nervous man on the street" on "The Steve Allen Show."

A match was made in comedy heaven when Knotts appeared opposite Andy Griffith in the Broadway and screen versions of No Time for Sergeants. In 1960, they were teamed in the TV sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show," for which Knotts won three consecutive Emmys as bumbling deputy Barney Fife. During the show's run he also made five films, starting with The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964).

After a string of Disney films, Knotts returned to TV in "Three's Company" and "Matlock." His final film appearance was in 1998's Pleasantville, although he continued to do voice work for animated features. Knotts died Feb. 24, 2006.

Filmography