comedy classic The Tonight
Show with Steve Allen, where he honed his nervous, bumbling
persona. Born in West Virginia, Knotts developed a ventriloquist
act as a teen, which he performed in and around his hometown
of Morgantown WV. When he enlisted in the Army
during WWII, he took the act on the road as part of "Stars
and Gripes," a special service unit that entertained
the troops. After the war, Knotts enrolled in West Virginia
University where he majored in theater. Upon his arrival in
New York, Knotts kept busy working comedy clubs and making
radio appearances. He met life-long friend Andy Griffith when
the two appeared on Broadway in No Time for Sergeants.
When The Tonight Show moved to Hollywood, Knotts met
up with Griffith again, who told him about a TV show he was
developing. It was Knotts who suggested creating the character
of Barney Fife. Knotts went on to translate his awkward, everyman
character into numerous television and film roles, including
The Incredible Mr. Limpert (1964), The Ghost and
Mr. Chicken(1966), The Shakiest Gun in the West,
and two Apple Dumpling Gang (1975 & 1979) flicks
with fellow comedian, Tim Conway. Ralph Furley was Knotts'
final sitcom role, but he continued to make TV and film appearances
almost up until the time of his death in 2006. |
