Knotts' widow endorses a statue but says the monument should be of her husband, not of the bumbling deputy he made famous on "The Andy Griffith Show"Silly. Knotts' characterization of Barney Fife was a masterpiece, an actor's creation of a fully realized, human character so real, people didn't realize it was a portrayal.
This is the statue of John Wayne at the John Wayne Orange County airport near LA:
Well guess what? When John Wayne wasn't working, he did not dress like this. But this image is how millions remember him (and fondly).
It's entirely appropriate for a statue of Don Knotts to be based around his most famous characterization. I'm sure he'd be proud of it.
I read this article in our local paper on Sunday and could not believe the pettiness of Don's widow. Don Knotts WAS Barney Fife and many Americans first came to know him in that role. That's not to say that his other work was not outstanding as well, but Mrs. Knotts should realize that it was as Barney Fife that Don first came right into the homes of America and right into our hearts!