"One Bullet" Barney Fife

Don Knotts, TV's Barney Fife, Dies at 81

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2006

Don Knotts, who won TV immortality and five Emmys for playing the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" with self-depreciating humor, was remembered by his friend and co-star as a comedic genius who wrote some of the show's best scene.

"Don was a small man... But everything else about him was large: his mind, his expressions," Griffith told The Associated Press on Saturday. "Don was special. There's nobody like him."

Knotts, 81, died Friday of pulmonary and respiratory complications at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, said Sherwin Bash, his friend and manager.

His half-century career included more than 25 films and seven TV series, most notably playing the bug-eyed deputy who carried in his shirt pocket the one bullet he was allowed after himself in the foot. The constant fumbling, a recurring sight gag, was typical of his self-deprecating humor.

The show ran from 1960-68, and was in the top 10 of the Nielsen ratings each season, including a No. 1 ranking its final year. It is one of only three series in TV history to bow out at the top: The others are "I Love Lucy" and "Seinfeld." The 249 episodes have appeared frequently in reruns and spawned a large, active network of fan clubs.

Knotts, whose shy, soft-spoken manner was unlike his high-strung characters, once said he was most proud of the Fife character and didn't mind being remembered that way.

He also played the would-be swinger landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company," which he joined in 1979, and was an original cast member of "The Steve Allen Show," the comedy-variety show that ran from 1956-61.

*full article *

One of my all time favorites. He always made me laugh, especially when Andy took his bullet.

Thanks, Don

Don Knott is certainly one of the most entertaining persons of out time. It's really sad to see someone of this level have to leave. I don't ever recall seeing a movie that Don Knotts was in and considering watching something else.

A true joy to watch, countless laughs over the years.

Truely a sad day and event. He will be missed.

"Johnny Pneumonic" was on last night. Stupid movie, but Mr. Knotts had a small role, and I was chuckling at his beautiful goofyness.

Yes, he was great. My favorite Don Knotts' movie was The Incredible Mr. Limpett!
Here's his movie career .