Don Knotts

Jesse Donald "Don" Knotts was an American comedic actor who departed this life at the age of 81 due to pulmonary and respiratory complications to pneumonia related to lung cancer. He became famous for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the television sitcom "The Andy Griffith Show." He was a ventriloquist in high school and performed in many church and school functions. Born 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, he enlisted in the United States Army after high school and then he graduated from West Virginia University in 1948. Beginning his career in 1949 as a ventriloquist Knotts got his first big break in 1953 with a role in the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow.” But most know him for his loveable role as Barney Fife on the television sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show” which started in 1960. He won five Emmy awards for his portrayal of Fife. In 1980, Knotts starred with Tim Conway in the comedy film, “Private Eyes.” Later in his life, in 1998, he had a co-starring role in the comedy-drama film, "Pleasantville" w