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
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
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
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
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".
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
"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.
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
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
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
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).
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.
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
....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... ....................................................... posted by Dreamghost at 2:30 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
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 shmegegge at 2:51 PM on February 25, 2006