Don Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006)

He will forever be remembered as Deputy Barney Fife of Mayberry on the 1960’s classic television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” The amazing career that spanned several decades began in the 1950’s on Broadway. He made a few film appearances including No Time for Sergeants, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Pleasantville and as Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little… He was a regular cast member on the daytime soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” from 1953 to 1955. He brought his Barney Fife character to other programs: “The Joey Bishop Show”, “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “The New Andy Griffith Show.” In 1979 he took on the role of Ralph Furley on the sitcom “Three’s Company.” He replaced Normal Fell's Stanley Roper, the show’s landlord, and remained until the end of the show in 1984… In 1986 he returned to play Barney Fife in the reunion special “Return to Mayberry.” In 1988 he teamed up with his good friend Andy Griffith once again when he began playing Les Calhoun on Griffith’s detective series “Matlock.” He played the character in fifteen episodes between 1988 and 1992… His final television role was a guest appearance on “That 70’s Show” in 2005 and his final film role was in “Air Buddies” which was released on December 12, 2006 eleven months after the actor’s passing… His other television credits include (this list is incomplete): “The Steve Lawrence-Eydie Gorme Show” “The Steve Allen Show” “The Danny Kaye Show” “The Jerry Lewis Show” “The Garry Moore Show” “The Andy Williams Show” “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” “The Kraft Music Hall” “The Leslie Uggams Show” “The Steve Allen Comedy Hour” “The Flip Wilson Show” “Dinah’s Place” “Dinah!” “The Sonny and Cher Show” “The Hollywood Squares” “The Captain and Tennille” “The Muppet Show” “E! True Hollywood Story” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” “Biography” “8 Simple Rules…for Dating My Teenage Daughter” “Larry King Live” “Las Vegas” “The Bob Cummings Show” “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” “The New Steve Allen Show” “The Red Skelton Show” “McHale’s Navy” “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre” “Here’s Lucy” “Fantasy Island” “The Love Boat” “Inspector Gadget” “She’s the Sheriff” “Newhart” “Step by Step” “Burke’s Law” “Odd Job Jack” In Memoriam Remembers: Don Knotts

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remembering the Cast of "Make Room for Daddy" / "The Danny Thomas Show" (583)

It was one of the longest running family sitcoms in television history.  Right there along side "I Love Lucy", "The Honeymooners", "Father Knows Best" and "My Little Margie" it was one of the most beloved programs of the day.  It began on ABC as "Make Room for Daddy" on September 29, 1953.  After 120 episodes the title changed to "The Danny Thomas Show" and in 1957 the program moved to CBS.  After a healthy eleven year run the show ended on April 27, 1964 after producing 351 episodes total.  In 1970 a majority of the cast returned for the show "Make Room for Granddaddy" which lasted from 1970 to 1971 producing 24 episodes.  The cast was headed up by Danny Thomas who played nightclub entertainer Danny Williams.  Jean Hagen played his wife Margaret, Rusty Hamer played his son Rusty and Sherry Jackson played his daughter Terry.  Jackson played Terry from 1953 to 1958 followed by Penny Parker who played the role from
Read more

Doris Packer (May 30, 1904 - March 31, 1979)

She began in New York on Broadway and then started appearing on radio. Some of her radio credits include "Henry Aldrich" and "Mr. & Mrs. North." When she became a widow in 1953 she relocated to California where she began appearing on film and on television. Her first film was Meet Me at the Fair. She also appeared in The Perils of Pauline in 1967. She is best remembered as Mrs. Cornelia Rayburn, Beaver's Principal on "Leave it to Beaver." She also had a recurring role on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." Her final film appearance was in Shampoo in 1975... Other Television Credits: "The Great Gildersleeve" "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre" "The Bob Cummings Show" "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" "I Love Lucy" "Lux Video Theatre" "The Jack Benny Program" "The Thin Man" "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" "Maverick" &quo
Read more