Biography
With his ungainly, frail-looking physique, bulging eyes, weak chin and prominent Adam's apple, he confounded traditional notions of what a screen star should be, but that's exactly what he was for the better part of three decades. After great success in the 1960s as a TV second banana, Knotts spent much of the second half of that decade as a feature comedy star. Nevertheless, the small screen proved the more hospitable home. His Deputy Barney …
Latest Tv Credits
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How to Frame a Figg
The Shakiest Gun in the West
Career Milestones
| Appeared as a regular ensemble member on "The Steve Allen Show", an NBC comedy/variety series; moved to Hollywood with the production in the fall of 1959 | ||
| Broadway debut, "No Time for Sergeants"; first collaboration with Andy Griffith | ||
| Completed college degree; offered teaching fellowship (which he declined) | ||
| Drafted into the US Army during WWII; served in the South Pacific | ||
| Hosted and starred in "The Don Knotts Show", an NBC comedy-variety series | ||
| In the Army, became part of a show called "Stars and Gripes" with partner Michael Shaughnessy | ||
| Joined the cast of the hit sitcom "Three's Company" as landlord Ralph Furley | ||
| Made first TV appearances on shows including "Howdy Doody" | ||
| Made recurring appearances on "The Garry Moore Show", a CBS variety series | ||
| Moved to NYC to pursue an acting career | ||
| Played Deputy Barney Fife on the popular CBS sitcom, "The Andy Griffith Show"; left to focus on film career (made occassional guest appearances through 1968) | ||
| Played the recurring role of pesky neighbor Les Calhoun on the popular NBC courtroom drama, "Matlock", starring Andy Griffith | ||
| Started out in radio in a show entitled "Bobby Benson and the B Bar B's" | ||
1953 | Appeared in a recurring role on the (initially) CBS soap opera "Search for Tomorrow" | |
1958 | Reprised role for the film version of "No Time for Sergeants" | |
1964 | First starring role in a film, "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" | |
1965 | Co-hosted first TV special, "The Andy Griffith-Don Knotts-Jim Nabors Show" on CBS | |
1970 | Received story credit for the feature, "How to Frame a Figg" (also starred) | |
1975 | First feature pairing with Tim Conway, "The Apple Dumpling Gang" | |
1986 | Reprised the role of Barney Fife for the hugely successful (highest rated of its season) TV-movie reunion "Return to Mayberry" | |
1995 | Participated in the HBO benefit special "Comic Relief" | |
1996 | Returned to features in the role of the school principal in "Big Bully" | |
1998 | Had pivotal role in "Pleasantville," as a folksy TV repairman | |
2000 | Honored with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (January 19) | |
2005 | Voiced Mayor Turkey Lurkey in the animated feature "Chicken Little" | |
Awards
1961 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Supporting Role By an Actor in The Andy Griffith Show |
1962 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Supporting Role By an Actor in The Andy Griffith Show |
1963 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Supporting Role By an Actor in The Andy Griffith Show |
1966 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance By an Actor In a in The Andy Griffith Show |
1967 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance By an Actor In a Supporting Role in The Andy Griffith Show |