Don Knotts Quick Info Height 5 ft 6½ in Weight 70 kg Date of Birth July 21, 1924 Zodiac Sign Cancer Eye Color Blue

Don Knotts was an American actor and comedian who was best known for his portrayal of Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, Ralph Furley on Three’s Company, Luther Heggs in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), and Henry Limpet in The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964).

Born Name

Jesse Donald Knotts

Nick Name

Don

Age

He was born on July 21, 1924.

Died

Don died on February 24, 2006, at the age of 81 in Los Angeles, California, United States due to pulmonary and respiratory complications of pneumonia.

Sun Sign

Cancer

Born Place

Morgantown, West Virginia, United States

Nationality

Education

He completed his schooling from Morgantown High School.

In 1948, Don graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown with a degree in education and a minor in speech.

Occupation

Actor, Comedian

Family

• Father – William Jesse Knotts
• Mother – Elsie Luzetta Moore
• Siblings – Willis Knotts (Older Brother), William Knotts (Older Brother), Ralph Knotts (Older Brother)

Build

Slim

Height

5 ft 6½ in or 169 cm

Weight

70 kg or 154.5 lbs

Girlfriend / Spouse

Don Knotts had dated –

1. Kathryn Metz (1947-1964) – He and Kathryn had a son named Thomas Knotts, and later, a daughter named Karen Knotts (b. April 2, 1954).
2. Lara Lee Szuchna (1974)
3. Loralee Czuchna (1974-1983)
4. Frances Yarborough (2002)

Race / Ethnicity

White

He was of English descent on his father’s side.

Hair Color

Black

As he aged, his hair turned gray.

Eye Color

Blue

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Distinctive Features

• A high-pitched, exasperated voice
• He had a wide-eyed stare that often expressed shock or frustration.

Brand Endorsement

He appeared in the commercials for various brands such as –

• Target
• Kodiak
• Bonanza Steakhouses
• Beneficial Finance

Don Knotts Facts

1. His mother Elsie was 40 years old when he was born.
2. During the early years of his career, Don Knotts took to the art of ventriloquism. He even performed at various church and school events.
3. After the birth of Don, his father suffered from a stress-induced nervous breakdown. According to sources, it was caused due to schizophrenia and alcoholism.
4. Don’s inward nature was caused because his father would often threaten him with a knife when he was very young. However, all of that stopped after his father passed away when he was only 13 years old as a result of pneumonia.
5. Knotts and his brothers were brought up single-handedly by their mother who at the time owned a boarding house.
6. Don’s older brother William died in 1941. He was only 31 years old when he passed away. Later, at the age of 84, his mother died in 1969.
7. While studying at West Virginia University, he was part of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and Alpha Psi Omega Honor Society.
8. After completing his high school, Don decided to relocate to New York City in an effort to make a career for himself as a comedian and ventriloquist. However, after a failed attempt, Don returned to his hometown.
9. After completing his college freshman year, Knotts signed into the U.S. Army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, where he found success there as he toured as a part of the G.I. variety show called Stars and Gripes.
10. Amidst the many service medal that he received for his time in the military were also the World War II Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal.
11. During the early 2000s’, Knotts became blind due to macular degeneration in both of his eyes.

Featured Image By Rogers and Cowan, Beverly Hills / Wikimedia / Public Domain