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Actor Don Knotts dies at 81; made being a nerd OK
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/politics/13962329.htm ^ | Sat, Feb. 25, 2006 | JEREMIAH MARQUEZ

Posted on 02/25/2006 2:38:42 PM PST by lunarbicep

LOS ANGELES - 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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anamericansoldier; barneyfife; donknotts; nipitinthebud; obituary
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To: laney

Remember the time Barney tried to recite the pre-amble to the Constitution for Andy, and Andy had to prompt him through the whole thing. Classic American comedy! Don Knotts was great.


21 posted on 02/25/2006 2:49:50 PM PST by Callahan
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To: lunarbicep
When T.V. was good to watch.

R.I.P. "Deputy".

22 posted on 02/25/2006 2:49:54 PM PST by mosquewatch.com ("The enemy is anyone who will get you killed, no matter what side they are on.")
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To: lunarbicep

One of the best TV shows ever. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Rest in peace Mr. Knotts.


23 posted on 02/25/2006 2:51:21 PM PST by Cap'n Crunch
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator

To: lunarbicep

The The Andy Griffith Show would never have made without old Barney.


25 posted on 02/25/2006 2:51:42 PM PST by jwh_Denver (Don't ask me any questions, I've lawyered up.)
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To: lunarbicep

You done good, Don.


26 posted on 02/25/2006 2:54:30 PM PST by Lexington Green (Guess the war is over. Ya-hoo!)
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To: Cap'n Crunch
They don't make 'em like that anymore.

If this planet is around in a thousand years, people will still be laughing at (and with) Deputy Fife.

27 posted on 02/25/2006 2:55:26 PM PST by Dark Skies ("Free speech is THE weapon of choice against islam.")
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To: SevenofNine

Don Knotts passes.


28 posted on 02/25/2006 2:56:11 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Lexington Green

29 posted on 02/25/2006 2:56:28 PM PST by iPod Shuffle
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To: jwh_Denver

You could learn alot about life from watching Andy Griffith. And insecure Barney was at the heart of the show. I loved the way Andy always looked out for his goofy friend.


30 posted on 02/25/2006 2:58:05 PM PST by Callahan
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To: lunarbicep

What a loss.


31 posted on 02/25/2006 2:59:00 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: lunarbicep

Thank You Mr. Knotts, for the FREEDOM and the laughs.


32 posted on 02/25/2006 2:59:56 PM PST by Patriot Hooligan ("God have mercy on my enemies because I won't." General George S. Patton)
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To: lunarbicep

Don Knotts spent a great deal of time in Traverse City, Michigan at the Cherry County Playhouse...In later years when the theater was move to Muskegon, Michigan, Don frequented that city as well...

Some of the old time actors spent a lot of time in Traverse City...The Ponderosa crew were seen there often...There were a few scenes in the Ponderosa series that were actually filmed in Traverse City, Mich...

These 'giants' of television also participated in the annual local parade during the Grand Traverse Cherry Festival...

Just a little history I am familiar with...


33 posted on 02/25/2006 3:06:22 PM PST by Iscool (Start your own revolution by voting for the candidates the media (and gov't) tells you cannot win.)
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To: lunarbicep

Nobody made me laugh harder than Don Knotts. RIP


34 posted on 02/25/2006 3:07:25 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: Callahan

Oh I remember..I watch Andy on Classic TV when ever it is on!
I will miss him..the greatest deputy!


35 posted on 02/25/2006 3:07:37 PM PST by laney (*Ouantum Queen...)
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To: Callahan
"Remember the time Barney's tried to recite the pre-amble to the Constitution for Andy, and Andy had to prompt him through the whole thing. Classic American comedy! Don Knotts was great."

That was the best funny tv moment ever!

I also especially remember Barney's speech to Opie that the group of stay dogs were going to be ok and ended up saying, "Those selfish giraffes." It was touching and so funny.

I remember Barney making chili on his illegal hot plate in his rooming house room. Barney flirting with Thelma Lou on the telephone and he realizes Opie is present. And of course when he dressed up he'd wear his salt 'n pepper coat.
36 posted on 02/25/2006 3:09:01 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: lunarbicep
Rest in peace.



37 posted on 02/25/2006 3:11:20 PM PST by tiredoflaundry (I'll admit it , I'm a Snow Flake !(Snoq) The rest of my tagline redacted by court order.)
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To: lunarbicep

And Hillary lives.

Go figure.


38 posted on 02/25/2006 3:12:17 PM PST by new yorker 77 (Conservatives who eat their own are a liberal's best friend.)
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39 posted on 02/25/2006 3:14:52 PM PST by BraveMan
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To: lunarbicep

Barney Fife, best sitcom character ever.


40 posted on 02/25/2006 3:20:23 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Thank you, Don Knotts.)
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