When Don Knotts passed away in February 2006 at the age of 81 due to complications from lung cancer, he left behind a remarkable legacy in comedy that influenced many contemporary actors, including Jim Carrey and Martin Short. Best known for his role as the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, Knotts also endeared himself to a new generation as Ralph Furley on Three’s Company.
Knotts departed The Andy Griffith Show after its fifth season in 1965, believing the series would conclude as initially indicated by Griffith. However, by the time he learned the show would continue, he had already signed a multi-year contract with Universal. His performance on The Andy Griffith Show earned him five Emmy Awards, including two for guest appearances after his departure.
In addition to his television success, Knotts had a fruitful film career with notable roles in movies like The Incredible Mr. Limpet and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. His performance in the 1998 film Pleasantville introduced him to a new audience, where he played a mystical television repairman.
At the time of his death, Don Knotts’ net worth was estimated to be around $20 million. His contributions to entertainment were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000, and in 2016, a statue was erected in his honor in his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia.
