Don Knotts, 1294-2006

February 25, 2006 2:46 PM

Call him Mr. Limpet, Mr. Furley, Wormie, Les Calhoun, or Barney Fife. Actor Don Knotts has passed away at 81.
posted by Smart Dalek (128 comments total)

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posted by shmegegge at 2:51 PM on February 25, 2006

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damn.
posted by PenDevil at 2:54 PM on February 25, 2006

Awww.

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posted by Gator at 2:55 PM on February 25, 2006

Comic genius. He'll be missed.
posted by wolftrouble at 2:55 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Astro Zombie at 2:55 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by kalimac at 2:58 PM on February 25, 2006

The "Nervous Man on the Street" from Sid Caesar's 1950's "Show of Shows" Unforgetable.
posted by Dareos at 2:59 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by funkbrain at 3:00 PM on February 25, 2006

The "Nervous Man on the Street" from Sid Caesar's 1950's "Show of Shows" Unforgetable.
posted by Dareos at 3:00 PM on February 25, 2006

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The lights have been dimmed in the corner room of the YMCA in Raleigh.
posted by enrevanche at 3:01 PM on February 25, 2006

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Mayberry is closed today.
posted by bjgeiger at 3:04 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by exlotuseater at 3:07 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by 235w103 at 3:08 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Vidiot at 3:08 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by boo_radley at 3:09 PM on February 25, 2006

:(
posted by jenovus at 3:09 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by lobstah at 3:10 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by amberglow at 3:10 PM on February 25, 2006

Don Knotts, 1294-2006

They always go so young.
posted by jenovus at 3:10 PM on February 25, 2006 [1 favorite]

May bury, R.I.P.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:10 PM on February 25, 2006

Oh shit. :(
posted by sourwookie at 3:10 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by drezdn at 3:11 PM on February 25, 2006

I'm glad there are comments here that make me laugh. Speaks highly of what he meant to us.
posted by sourwookie at 3:11 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Busithoth at 3:12 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by geekyguy at 3:13 PM on February 25, 2006

(laughing guiltily at jenovus's post)
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 3:14 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by MonkNoiz at 3:20 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by fatbobsmith at 3:21 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:22 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Mijo Bijo at 3:22 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by willpie at 3:23 PM on February 25, 2006

No need to be so sad, the bugger was 81, I'd say that's a win for him. Good on ya, Don.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:25 PM on February 25, 2006

"Are you a nice Don? Like, Don DeLuis?"
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Awesome at 3:29 PM on February 25, 2006

meep.
posted by jann at 3:31 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Otis at 3:34 PM on February 25, 2006

I hope when they bury him they put a bullit in his pocket.
One of the greatest characters (Barney) ever in television IMHO.
posted by Tablecrumbs at 3:39 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by deCadmus at 3:44 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 3:44 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by armage at 3:44 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by jawbreaker at 3:47 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by gurple at 3:49 PM on February 25, 2006

Barney made a generation of introverted, skinny kids that grew up in the 50's feel a bit better about ourselves....

A great actor, Don will be missed.
posted by HuronBob at 3:52 PM on February 25, 2006

Don Knotts was one of the finest comic actors of his generation. Last night, Comedy Central was replaying Richard Pryor's "Not Dead Yet." One interviewer commented that one of Pryor's strengths was that he was willing to put his own fears on stage.

While I am not trying to draw a comparison between Pryor (who was a one of a kind, "touched by the gods of comedy" performer) and Knotts, I think that statement applies to Knotts as well.

Knotts' characters tended to suffer endless, uncomfortable humiliations. Yes, in the end, he frequently got the girl or won the race, but the gauntlet of small indignities he had to run to succeed were always filled with small, cringe inducing missteps.

Part of what made him so funny was the fact that he was able to depict the small scale horror we all feel when we realize we've returned from the bathroom with toilet paper hanging off of our shoe, or the moment when we realize the beautiful person that we thought was flirting with us was only winking because something got in their eye.

Knott's comic acting was honest, deeply felt and allowed us to laugh at things that we were secretly terrified might happen to us. That he was active in his craft right up to the end speaks to the love he bore his art.

While it sad that he has passed away, 81 years of active life doing the thing that you love to do is, I think, everyone's dream. Congratulations, Mr. Knotts, on a life very well lived.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:55 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by SteelyDuran at 3:58 PM on February 25, 2006

Call him Mr. Limpet, Mr. Furley, Wormie, Les Calhoun, or Barney Fife.

Or Dubya.
posted by homunculus at 3:58 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by terrapin at 4:05 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by fungible at 4:05 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by punkrockrat at 4:07 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by WhipSmart at 4:07 PM on February 25, 2006

Don Knotts was a great character actor; between 1961 and 1967, he won the supporting actor Emmy five times. Just amazing.
posted by MegoSteve at 4:08 PM on February 25, 2006

This is sad, indeed. (Is it terrible I thought he was already dead?)
posted by piratebowling at 4:10 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by jlkr at 4:11 PM on February 25, 2006

If there's anything that upsets me, it's having people say I'm sensitive.
-Don Knotts as Barney Fife
posted by Ynoxas at 4:11 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by VulcanMike at 4:22 PM on February 25, 2006

Oh my Barney, Oh my Barney,
Had a jail but couldn't lock it,
Had one bullet for his pistol,
Had to keep it in his pocket.

RIP deputy Fife...
posted by AstroGuy at 4:24 PM on February 25, 2006

The "Nervous Man on the Street" from Sid Caesar's 1950's "Show of Shows" Unforgetable

Actually, he was the "Nervous Man on the Street" from Steve Allen's show during the 1950s. Along with Louis Nye ("Hi Ho, Steverino") who passed away last October.
posted by teirnon at 4:26 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by fleetmouse at 4:27 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by fixedgear at 4:29 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by AspectRatio at 4:31 PM on February 25, 2006

There's a Shrine to Don Knotts at worldofcheese.com (they haven't gotten the bad news yet, as of 4:30PM PST) that includes clips from his comedy album "An Evening With Me".


posted by wendell at 4:33 PM on February 25, 2006

Good work, Deputy!

posted by cenoxo at 4:38 PM on February 25, 2006

Nipped in the bud. (mp3)
posted by scottst at 4:39 PM on February 25, 2006

A moment of silence... I grew up on Andy Griffith show reruns. And the The Private Eyes? Let's don't forget that movie--at the tender age of 8, I considered it comedy gold.

p.s. That's a great sound soundclip scottst.
posted by josephtate at 4:47 PM on February 25, 2006

We Love Barney Fife (mp3)
posted by Gamblor at 4:51 PM on February 25, 2006

Don't forget The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

Nuts.
posted by mazola at 4:53 PM on February 25, 2006

"The most beloved person in all of show business." (from a very reliable source)
posted by wendell at 4:55 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by educatedslacker at 4:56 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by BrotherCaine at 4:57 PM on February 25, 2006

Dana Gould used to do a great bit about how Don Knotts could never make obscene phone calls because his voice was so recognizable.

RIP
posted by jrossi4r at 4:59 PM on February 25, 2006

nobody like 'em. an original. a great loss.
posted by brandz at 5:02 PM on February 25, 2006

Archive of American Television Interview, (seven parts, google video)
posted by furtive at 5:07 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by briank at 5:10 PM on February 25, 2006

"ATTA BOY, LUTHER!!!"


Man. What a great great guy.

There isn't a . big enough.
posted by stenseng at 5:12 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by rhapsodie at 5:16 PM on February 25, 2006

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Aw, geez, Barn.
posted by mwhybark at 5:22 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by damnthesehumanhands at 5:32 PM on February 25, 2006

Time to re-rent "The Apple Dumplin' Gang"
posted by Balisong at 5:35 PM on February 25, 2006

Does the Hash Knife Outfit throw in its hand? Or do we go out in a blaze of glory?

Go get 'em, Don.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 5:38 PM on February 25, 2006

"Alright, nip it Ange, NIP IT! There'll be no cryin' on MY watch tonight! By the way, tell Thelma Lou I won't forget." Tips deputy hat, places bullet and badge on Andy's desk, exits stage left with purpose and head held high.





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posted by snsranch at 5:55 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by unrepentanthippie at 5:58 PM on February 25, 2006

Mayor Turkey Lurkey is dead?
posted by cillit bang at 6:03 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by schmedeman at 6:06 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by googlebombed at 6:14 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by jeversol at 6:17 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by djeo at 6:20 PM on February 25, 2006

No... not Mayor Turkey from Chicken Little!!!

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posted by pmbuko at 6:34 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by stinkycheese at 6:57 PM on February 25, 2006

Oh! This really chokes me up. He was such a loveable personality, such a great comedian. Rest in peace Mr. Knotts.
posted by zarah at 7:07 PM on February 25, 2006

For those of you unfamiliar with DK, if you're reading this far down, let me offer this: Everytime a comic actor is playing a self-conciously pompous ass, he'll turn down the corners of his mouth and sniffle a bit. That's Don Knotts, and you'll see this specific move in sitcoms about twice a week. Zach Braff, in particular, should be writing weekly checks to the Knott estate, bless him. RIP Officer Fife.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:12 PM on February 25, 2006

I was hoping that I misheard this and jumped to the wrong conclusion.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:17 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Demogorgon at 7:19 PM on February 25, 2006

Watching the The Incredible Mr. Limpet on television with my grandfather is one of my earliest memories. Thank you Don, RIP.
posted by jennababy at 7:20 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by DragonBoy at 7:29 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by Hot Like Your 12V Wire at 7:35 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by peewee at 7:51 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by puddles at 8:31 PM on February 25, 2006

Don Knotts always makes me think of my childhood, and the simple happy pleasures of life. I'm sure I'll be sharing his work with my children.

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posted by kyleg at 8:35 PM on February 25, 2006

I remember seeing (hearing) him recently in Chicken Little and thinking, holy shit, he's still going?

Then last night, I watched "The Aristocrats" which ends with a Tim Conway bit. Again, I thought, holy shit, he's still going? Uh oh. Maybe he's next.
posted by fungible at 8:46 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by chaz at 8:47 PM on February 25, 2006

Thanks, fungible. I couldn't think of the name Tim Conway. For some reason, DK and Tim Conway always get tangled in my memory. Similiar roles, for sure.

I'd just been reading about Mayberry, researching the career of Ron Howard (having recognized him in a Twilight Zone episode from season 1).

Andy couldn't have been Andy without Barney.

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posted by Goofyy at 9:07 PM on February 25, 2006

Knotts' character of Ralph "RF" Furley on 3s Company was amazing: a mass of blustering insecurities swathed in the hippest ugly wardrobe ever seen. Pure gold.

RIP>
posted by davidmsc at 9:29 PM on February 25, 2006

a mass of blustering insecurities swathed in the hippest ugly wardrobe ever seen. Pure gold.

Nicely said davidmsc.

aww, always loved him as Barney Fife and Mr. Limpet. There're also sound clips of the Andy Griffith Show whistling theme tune and His Final Message to Humanity.
posted by nickyskye at 9:36 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by shoepal at 9:51 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by wrapper at 10:02 PM on February 25, 2006

A squeeky voice from my childhood as Dep. Barney.

Got to admire anyone who can survive and thrive in that business for so long.
posted by HTuttle at 10:41 PM on February 25, 2006

>RIP< Sad loss, he was a mensch.
posted by dbiedny at 10:56 PM on February 25, 2006

By: Akiko Stehrenberger
posted by dgaicun at 10:58 PM on February 25, 2006

Damn, I suck.
posted by dgaicun at 10:59 PM on February 25, 2006

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posted by darksasami at 11:28 PM on February 25, 2006

He was in awful stuff, but "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" and "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" were just right for Sunday afternoon television.
posted by pracowity at 1:12 AM on February 26, 2006

Frank Sinatra's inner child.
posted by sighmoan at 1:28 AM on February 26, 2006

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posted by Dreamghost at 2:30 AM on February 26, 2006

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posted by cookie-k at 5:18 AM on February 26, 2006

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posted by OmieWise at 5:33 AM on February 26, 2006

In Mayberry, the sherrif's office is empty, the chairs in Floyd's barbershop are vacant, but the choir, oh the choir is singing with joy in their hearts.
posted by Ber at 7:04 AM on February 26, 2006

dgaicun, wow, Akiko's art is amazing, including the excellent portrait of DK.
posted by nickyskye at 8:10 AM on February 26, 2006

By the way, I just don't think there has ever been a better match between screen actor and film composer than that of Don Knotts and Vic Mizzy, who also scored The Addam's Family, and wrote the music for The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Love God?, and How to Frame a Figg.

Mizzy just got Knott's manic, nervous high energy and weird bravado, and translated it into some extraordinary musical themes. Seriously, I've though about this a lot, and I think it is one of the great if unnoticed artistic collaborations of the 20th century.

Having Darren McGavin and Don Knott's die within a day of each other is proving as traumetizing to me as when Jimmy Stewart and Robert Mitchum died in the same 24 hours. I think I shall spend today very drunk and watch the half-dozen Knotts films I own as well as the Night Stalker/Night Strangler double pack.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:22 AM on February 26, 2006

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posted by UseyurBrain at 10:37 AM on February 26, 2006

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posted by Faint of Butt at 12:14 PM on February 26, 2006

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posted by Smedleyman at 1:15 PM on February 26, 2006

I worked with him a few years ago on a stage production of Last Of The Red Hot Lovers. Offstage, he was vague, sometimes a little unfocused, had some trouble finding things. He was clearly showing his age.

Onstage, he never missed a line, never missed a cue, never missed a beat, never stepped on a laugh, never fudged the timing. In front of an audience, he was young and quick and nimble.

A consummate performer. Standing O for a life on stage and screen.

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posted by kyrademon at 1:19 PM on February 26, 2006

Damn.

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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 2:43 PM on February 26, 2006

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posted by secret about box at 2:56 PM on February 26, 2006

The cast of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World grows a bit smaller.

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posted by evilcolonel at 3:19 PM on February 26, 2006

"grows a bit smaller"??? Me no spicka de Inglish.
posted by evilcolonel at 3:19 PM on February 26, 2006

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posted by coldon at 6:49 PM on February 26, 2006

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posted by cass at 12:00 PM on February 27, 2006

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posted by Duncan at 9:03 PM on February 27, 2006