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66-644: Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on the 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show , for which he earned five Emmy Awards . He also played Ralph Furley on the sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. He starred in multiple comedic films, including leading roles in The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966). In 2004, TV Guide ranked him number 27 on its "50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time" list. Knotts

132-484: A G.I. variety show called Stars and Gripes . His ventriloquist act included a dummy named Danny that Knotts grew to hate and eventually threw overboard, according to friend and castmate Al Checco . Knotts served in the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's 6817th Special Services Battalion . He was discharged at the rank of Technician Grade 5 , equivalent at the time to corporal . During his service, he

198-407: A ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. After high school, he traveled to New York City to try to make his way as a comedian, but when his career failed to take off, he returned home to attend West Virginia University. After his freshman year, he joined the U.S. Army and spent most of his service entertaining troops. He toured the western Pacific Islands as a comedian, in

264-590: A "very quiet man. Very sweet. Nothing like Barney Fife." TV writer Mark Evanier called him "the most beloved person in all of show business". Knotts died at age 81 on February 24, 2006, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from pulmonary and respiratory complications of pneumonia related to lung cancer . He underwent treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the months before his death but returned home after reportedly feeling better. He

330-407: A Figg (1971). Knotts reprised his role as Barney Fife several times in the 1960s. He made five guest appearances on The Andy Griffith Show (earning another two Emmy Awards), and he appeared once on the spin-off Mayberry R.F.D. , in which he was present as best man for the marriage of Andy Taylor and his longtime love, Helen Crump . He continued to work steadily, although he did not appear as

396-557: A Television Comedy . Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia , the youngest of four sons of farmer William Jesse Knotts and his wife Elsie Luzetta Knotts (née Moore), who were married in Spraggs, Pennsylvania . His English paternal ancestors emigrated to America in the 17th century, originally settling in Queen Anne's County, Maryland . His brothers were named Willis, William and Ralph (who

462-559: A bit." Knotts was married three times. His marriage to Kathryn Metz lasted from 1947 until their divorce in 1964. They had a son, Thomas Knotts, and a daughter, actress Karen Knotts (born April 2, 1954). After they divorced, Knotts raised his daughter as a single parent. He married Loralee Czuchna in 1974; they divorced in 1983. His third marriage was to Frances Yarborough, from 2002 until his death in 2006. Knotts struggled with hypochondria and macular degeneration. Betty Lynn , one of his co-stars on The Andy Griffith Show , described him as

528-483: A case where he believed an ex-convict was coming back to Mayberry to attack Sheriff Taylor, he deputized Goober Pyle and Otis Campbell (who are even more inept) and attempted to provide 24-hour protection for the sheriff, although there was in fact no threat and the bodyguards did little except interfere with each other ("High Noon in Mayberry"). Barney is often frustrated with the primitive technological tools available to

594-476: A derivation from Knotts' real-life nickname for Griffith) are best friends, having grown up together in Mayberry, and graduated from the same class at Mayberry Union High School in 1948. Barney maintains warm relations with Andy's son Opie and his Aunt Bee . Although graduating from high school in 1948, both Barney and Andy claim to have served in the military. Andy was stationed in France during "the war" and Barney

660-525: A few places during the course of the show. In the second season episode "Sheriff Barney," his address is given at 411 Elm Street. By the fourth season episode "Up in Barney's Room," he's residing in Mrs. Mendelbright's boarding house, where she forbids him from owning either a hot plate or light bulb over 40 watts. However, by episode’s end she allows him to cook and use bulbs up to 100 watts. During his vacations, he takes

726-693: A lawman resembling Barney Fife, and "Guess Who's Knott Coming to Dinner". He appeared as Felix Unger in a stage version of Neil Simon 's The Odd Couple , with Art Carney as Oscar Madison, and toured in the Neil Simon comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers . Beginning in 1975, Knotts was teamed with Tim Conway in a series of slapstick films aimed at children, including the Disney film The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) and its sequel, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979). They also did two independent films,

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792-514: A parody on Robot Chicken , on which he was teamed with Phyllis Diller . In 2003, he teamed up again with Tim Conway to provide voices for the direct-to-video children's series Hermie and Friends , which continued until his death. In 2005, he was the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little (2005), his first Disney movie since 1979. On September 12, 2003, he was in Kansas City , in

858-412: A pleasant singing voice, performing duets with Andy and his guitar. His attempts to impress others sometimes cause him to accidentally reveal both personal and police secrets, often with dire consequences. An emotional powder-keg, Barney often overreacts to challenging situations with panic, despair or bug-eyed fear. As a law enforcement officer, Barney is overly officious and insistent on doing things "by

924-569: A police officer or authority figure "Barney Fife" has become an American slang term for gross ineptitude or overzealousness. A notable example occurred during the Scott Peterson case, in which the defendant's mother referred to the local police captain as "Barney Fife". During oral arguments for the Supreme Court case Herring v. United States regarding evidence exclusion by negligent law enforcement, Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan told

990-426: A regular on any successful television series until 1979, when he took the part of landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company . In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Knotts served as the spokesman for Dodge trucks and was featured prominently in a series of print ads and dealer brochures. On television, he hosted a variety show/sitcom hybrid on NBC , The Don Knotts Show , which aired on Tuesdays during autumn 1970, but

1056-637: A room at the Raleigh YMCA , as first mentioned in the third season episode "Andy and Opie, Bachelors." Barney's main girlfriend is a local girl, Thelma Lou ( Betty Lynn ), whom he eventually marries in Return to Mayberry , a 1986 NBC movie. He had two other girlfriends: Miss Rosemary followed by Hilda May. Barney also dates other women, in particular, a waitress at the Junction Cafe and Bluebird Diner named Juanita, with whom Barney has phone conversations but who

1122-404: A speech defending Andy and his record as sheriff. He explains how much of a benefit Andy is to Mayberry; then - in a rare display of candor and a departure from his usual insistence on following the letter of the law - he explains what Andy had been trying to teach him from the moment Barney first became a deputy: that a lawman does better in dealing with people when he goes more by the heart than by

1188-446: A stage version of On Golden Pond , when he received a call from John Ritter's family telling him that his former Three's Company co-star had died that day of an aortic dissection . He and his co-stars attended the funeral four days later. Knotts had appeared with Ritter for the last time in 2003 in a cameo on 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter , in an episode that paid homage to their previous television series. Knotts

1254-461: Is never seen . She was first mentioned in the episode "Andy Forecloses". When Don Knotts left the series in 1965 to pursue film roles, the character Barney Fife was said to have left Mayberry to join the police department in Raleigh. After that, the character remained mostly offscreen for the remainder of the show, although Knotts made five guest appearances as Barney Fife in the last three seasons. As

1320-417: Is a cameo of a Barney Fife deputy sheriff in a crowd. In The Sopranos season 6, episode 15 , Paulie Gualtieri tells Tony Soprano a story about getting pulled over by a state trooper while driving Tony's father's Cadillac without a license in the 1960s. Mr. Soprano, Sr. tells the young Paulie to smooth things over by telling the trooper he has a cousin who is a trooper named Barney Fife. He gets punched in

1386-409: Is competent, the result backfires on him. In the episode "Barney's Sidecar," Barney drives a motorcycle/sidecar quite well on patrol; however, Mayberry is so small a town that the motorcycle is practically useless for local law enforcement. Nonetheless, Barney has rare moments of courage and competence, such as when he saves a member of the state police who has been captured by criminals, and apprehends

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1452-402: Is offered the position of sheriff in the nearby town of Greendale, only to learn from Andy the difference between serving as sheriff versus deputy. He runs against Andy, only to later withdraw, in the fifth season episode "Barney Runs for Sheriff." In Return to Mayberry , Barney finally holds the position of "acting sheriff" of Mayberry and runs for the office proper; but, at the end, encourages

1518-442: Is often exasperated with him. This includes various storylines showing Barney’s innocent disruptions of Andy’s romantic pursuits; his professional incompetence in allowing prisoners to escape; and, his unorthodox approach to police work, among other things. Andy, however, usually covers for Barney’s foibles, even making Barney appear competent, which Barney realizes. He is featured in these The Andy Griffith Show episodes: Calling

1584-527: Is quite limited. He wishes to be perceived as "a man of the world", but he is quite naïve, and his fear of appearing ignorant leaves him easily duped. This gullibility is evident when, for example, he is conned into buying a lemon from a crafty old widow ("Barney's First Car"). Although he believes himself a skilled singer, he has a tin ear , as highlighted in "Barney and the Choir" and "The Song Festers", although at other times, when he's not trying to show off, he has

1650-559: Is the descendant of Nathan Tibbs, a Mayberry Revolutionary hero, he says his name is "Barney Tibbs Fife". Andy jokingly says, "I thought your middle name was Oliver." Another inconsistency is Barney's military service in WW II, which is not easily reconciled with his having graduated high school in 1948 (although in fact World War II for the US officially ended December 31, 1946, by order of President Truman). Although Barney and Andy are best friends, Andy

1716-600: The American military. The unit was created on 22 July 1940 by the War Department as part of the Army Service Forces . Special Services not only used its own specially trained and talented troops but also would often engage local performers. Among its activities were staging plays and stage acts, holding concerts, filming documentaries, and providing recreational opportunities for servicemen. Special Services were one of

1782-425: The Mayberry sheriff's department. He sometimes attempts to modernize the department by acquiring equipment of little use in sleepy Mayberry, such as an intercom system for the jailhouse ("The Great Filling Station Robbery"), and a search-and-rescue dog ("Barney's Bloodhound"). On occasion, Barney believes his experience as a long time deputy qualifies him to be a sheriff. In a second season episode ("Sheriff Barney"), he

1848-701: The Special Services Branch helped him to break into show business. In addition to doing stand-up comedy at clubs, he appeared on radio, eventually playing the wisecracking, know-it-all character "Windy Wales" on a radio Western called Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders . Knotts got his first break on television on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow , where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He came to fame in 1956 on Steve Allen 's variety show as part of Allen's repertory company, most notably in Allen's mock "Man in

1914-567: The Street" interviews, always playing an extremely nervous man. He remained with Allen through the 1959–1960 season. From October 20, 1955, through September 14, 1957, he appeared with Andy Griffith in the Broadway stage version of No Time for Sergeants , in which he played two roles, listed in the Playbill as a Corporal Manual Dexterity and a Preacher. In 1958, he made his movie debut with Griffith in

1980-520: The book" to the point of absurdity. In one case when Andy was briefly summoned away, as acting sheriff, Barney proceeded to book and lock up everyone in town for various minor infractions ("Andy Saves Barney's Morale"). However in at least one case, he is commended for his apparent overzealousness, after he tickets the state governor's car for being parked illegally ("Barney and the Governor"). Barney tends to be alarmist, and overreacts to potential dangers. In

2046-446: The book, thereby allowing Andy to remain sheriff. In a few early episodes in the first season, Andy and Barney comment that they are cousins (initially as part of a joke implying that this relationship is responsible for Barney being hired as deputy), but this relationship is rarely mentioned later, and it is sometimes suggested in later episodes that they are not related. Genetics aside, Barney and "Ange" (as he frequently addresses Andy,

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2112-419: The boxing comedy The Prize Fighter (1979) and the mystery-comedy The Private Eyes (1980). Knotts co-starred in several other Disney films, including Gus (1976), No Deposit, No Return (1976), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977) and Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978). In 1979, Knotts returned to series television as the wacky but lovable landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company . The series, which

2178-455: The cast of the first-run syndicated comedy What a Country! , as Principal Bud McPherson, for its remaining 13 episodes. It was produced by Martin Rips and Joseph Staretski, who had previously worked on Three's Company . From 1988 until 1992, Knotts joined Andy Griffith on Matlock in the recurring role of pesky neighbor Les Calhoun. His roles became more sporadic, including a cameo appearance in

2244-419: The ceiling of the courthouse, at which point he would sadly hand his pistol to Andy. This is why Barney kept one very shiny bullet in his shirt pocket. In episode #196, Andy gave Barney more bullets so that he would have a loaded gun to go after a bad guy that Barney unintentionally helped escape. While Barney was forever frustrated that Mayberry was too small for the delusional ideas he had of himself, viewers got

2310-454: The character of Barney Fife was suggested by Don Knotts himself. At the same time The Steve Allen Show was ending, Knotts was looking for work. When he saw the episode of The Danny Thomas Show featuring Andy Taylor, he called Griffith suggesting that his sheriff character might reasonably need a deputy. Griffith liked the idea and suggested that he call Executive Producer Sheldon Leonard . Griffith later recalled that Don Knotts' contribution

2376-407: The character, whose name is not explicitly mentioned, appears in the premiere episode of The New Andy Griffith Show , visiting the mid-sized city of Greenwood to catch up with Mayor Andy Sawyer, who looks exactly like Andy Taylor and shares some of Taylor's earlier mannerisms and friendships with Fife, Goober Pyle and Emmett Clark. Fifteen years would pass before the character was again reprised in

2442-494: The contract when Griffith announced his decision to continue the series; but he had made up his mind to move on, believing that he would not get the chance again. Knotts left the series in 1965. His character's absence on the show was explained by Deputy Fife having finally made the "big time", joining the Raleigh , North Carolina, police force. Knotts went on to star in a series of film comedies that drew on his high-strung persona from

2508-462: The court, "There's not a Barney Fife defense to the violation of the Fourth Amendment ." At least two cartoons pay homage to Barney Fife: In The New Scooby-Doo Movies , Don Knotts guest stars as himself to help solve the mystery, but wearing Barney Fife's uniform as deputy of "Juneberry." In Freakazoid "Toby Danger" when a out of control giant robot is destroying Las Vegas, Nevada, there

2574-486: The criminals by driving to the jail with the crooks and their hostage trapped in their trailer ("Jailbreak"). This is one of the few occasions when Barney catches the crooks intentionally rather than by accident. When a vindictive newspaper publisher uses a female employee to trick Barney into giving away "dirt" on Andy to get the latter removed as sheriff (as revenge for getting a speeding citation which he neglected to pay) ("Andy on Trial"), Barney redeems himself and Andy with

2640-528: The deputy on the popular show earned for him five Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy . A summary of the show from the website of the Museum of Broadcast Communications describes Deputy Barney Fife: Self-important, romantic, and nearly always wrong, Barney dreamed of the day he could use the one bullet Andy had issued to him, though he did fire his gun on a few occasions. He always fired his pistol accidentally while still in his holster or in

2706-606: The family plot at Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown. Knotts graduated from Morgantown High School . After enlisting in the United States Army and serving in World War II , he earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in speech from West Virginia University in Morgantown, graduating in 1948. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at WVU. Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as

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2772-596: The few U.S. Army units to be racially integrated during World War II . Special Services opened their first Recreational Officer school at Fort Meade Maryland on 1 April 1942. Within the United States Marine Corps , the Special Services Division was the forerunner of today's Special Services Branch. It was formed on 1 March 1943, to provide morale maintaining recreational and informational services to Marine Corps personnel. As of at least 2004,

2838-459: The film Big Bully (1996) as the high school principal. In 1998, he had a small but pivotal role as a mysterious TV repairman in Pleasantville . That year, his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Avenue ( U.S. Route 119 ) to Don Knotts Boulevard on "Don Knotts Day". Also on that day, in honor of Knotts's role as Barney Fife, he

2904-475: The film version of No Time for Sergeants , in which he reprised his Broadway role, playing a high-strung Air Force test administrator whose routine is disrupted by the hijinks of a provincial new recruit. In 1960, Andy Griffith was offered the opportunity to headline his own sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968). Knotts took the role of Barney Fife , the deputy—and originally cousin—of Sheriff Andy Taylor (portrayed by Griffith). Knotts's portrayal of

2970-418: The floor, the ceiling, or his own gun holster. The negligent discharge of Barney's gun becomes a running gag , usually followed by Barney sheepishly handing his gun to Andy. Another recurring gag has Barney locking himself or both himself and Andy in one of the jail cells, with the keys just out of reach. Another running gag is Barney being captured by escaped criminals twice. A third gag is that even when Barney

3036-408: The head by the trooper for his troubles and Mr. Soprano has to bribe the trooper $ 100 (said to be an average month's wage at the time) to avoid charges. Knotts' portrayal of Barney Fife earned him five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series , the most in that category. Special Services (entertainment) Special Services was the entertainment branch of

3102-509: The repertory company on Steve Allen 's variety show, where he played the "extremely nervous man" in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews. In 1958, Knotts made his film debut in the adapted version of No Time for Sergeants . Knotts was cast as deputy Barney Fife on television's The Andy Griffith Show , which ran from 1960 to 1968. He reprised the character on other shows, such as The Joey Bishop Show and Return to Mayberry . Knotts won five Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in

3168-497: The reunion film Return to Mayberry in 1986. By then, Fife had moved back and become the town's acting sheriff. Barney Fife is outwardly smug and self-important, covering up his insecurities and low self-confidence with a display of bravado. He presents himself as an expert on such diverse subjects as firearms, martial arts, women, singing, wilderness survival, psychology and American history. He frequently tries to impress others with his knowledge or skill in areas where his expertise

3234-457: The sense that he couldn't have survived anywhere else. Don Knotts played the comic and pathetic sides of the character with equal aplomb and he received three Emmy Awards during the show's first five seasons. When the show first aired, Griffith was intended to be the comedic lead with Knotts as his straight man , similar to their roles in No Time for Sergeants . However, it was quickly discovered that

3300-407: The series had several writers, there were occasional continuity errors, most frequently in Barney's middle name , which changed each time it was referenced. For example, both Barney and Andy are given different middle names in different episodes. In the episode "Class Reunion", Barney's middle name is Milton, though at other times he is called "Bernard P. Fife". In another episode, where he believes he

3366-469: The series was low-rated and short-lived, and Knotts was uncomfortable with the variety show format. He also made frequent guest appearances on other shows, such as The Bill Cosby Show and Here's Lucy . In 1970, he appeared as a Barney Fife-like police officer in the pilot of The New Andy Griffith Show . In 1972, Knotts voiced an animated version of himself in two episodes of The New Scooby Doo Movies : "The Spooky Fog of Juneberry", in which he played

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3432-469: The show after a contract dispute in 1981, the writers started giving the material meant for Somers's Chrissy to Knotts's Furley. Knotts remained on the series until it ended in 1984. The Three's Company script supervisor Carol Summers became Knotts's agent and often accompanied him to personal appearances. In 1986, Knotts reunited with Andy Griffith in the made-for-television film Return to Mayberry , reprising his Barney Fife role. In early 1987, he joined

3498-432: The show was funnier with the roles reversed. As Griffith maintained in several interviews, "By the second episode, I knew that Don should be funny, and I should play straight." Knotts believed remarks by Griffith that The Andy Griffith Show would end after five seasons, and he began to look for other work, signing a five-film contract with Universal Studios . In his autobiography, Knotts admitted that he had not yet signed

3564-435: The show's beginning in 1960 until 1965, when Knotts left the show to pursue a career in feature films. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina . Knotts reprised the character in guest appearances each season until The Andy Griffith Show left the air in 1968. Barney also appeared in the inaugural Mayberry R.F.D. episode, in which Andy and Helen Crump marry. In 1971,

3630-458: The sitcom That '70s Show , in which he played the landlord. It was his last live-action television appearance. His final role was in Air Buddies (2006), a direct-to-video sequel to Air Bud , voicing the sheriff's deputy dog Sniffer. Knotts's friend Al Checco said, "Don was somewhat of a ladies' man. He fancied himself something of a Frank Sinatra . The ladies loved him and he dated quite

3696-562: The television series. He had a cameo appearance in United Artists ' It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and starred in Warner Bros. ' The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964). Knotts began his Universal five-film contract with The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), followed by The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Love God? (1969) and How to Frame

3762-442: The town to vote for Andy who has returned to Mayberry. One frequent source of comedy is Barney's incompetence with firearms. After numerous negligent discharges (usually with a Smith & Wesson or Colt .38 caliber revolver), Andy restricts Barney to carrying his gun unloaded, with only one bullet in his shirt pocket, "in case of an emergency". However, Barney tends to load his gun unnecessarily, and often ends up firing it into

3828-554: Was a file clerk who never left the United States (he stated that "me and this other fella ran the PX library" on Staten Island ). Barney was nevertheless proud of his war record: "I did my part in helping to whip the dreaded Hun", he boasted in the episode "Quiet Sam." Andy administered Barney his oath of office as deputy and issued him his gun in August 1953. Barney is mentioned as residing in

3894-451: Was already an established hit, added Knotts to the cast when the original landlords, Stanley and Helen Roper (a married couple played by Norman Fell and Audra Lindley , respectively), left to star in their own short-lived spin-off series The Ropers . On the set, Knotts easily integrated himself into the already established cast, who were, as John Ritter put it, "so scared" of Knotts because of his star status. When Suzanne Somers left

3960-953: Was awarded the World War II Victory Medal , the Philippine Liberation Medal , the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal (with four bronze service stars ), the American Campaign Medal , the Army Good Conduct Medal , the Army Marksman Badge (with an M1 Carbine ) and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin . After being demobilized, Knotts returned to West Virginia University and graduated in 1948. He married Kay Metz and moved back to New York, where connections that he had made in

4026-523: Was born in West Virginia , the youngest of four children. In the 1940s, before earning a college degree, he served in the United States Army and in World War II . While enlisted, he chose to become a ventriloquist and comedian as part of a G.I. variety show, Stars and Gripes . After the army, he got his first major break on television on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow , where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. He gained wide recognition as part of

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4092-802: Was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Knotts's obituaries cited him as a major influence on other entertainers. In early 2011, his grave's plain granite headstone was replaced with a bronze plaque depicting several of his movie and television roles. A statue honoring him, created by Jamie Lester , was unveiled on July 23, 2016, in front of The Metropolitan Theatre on High Street in his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia. The following are Don Knotts's acting credits. • ISBN 9781572972100 Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known The following are accolades and honors that Don Knotts received throughout his career. Barney Fife In 1999, TV Guide ranked him ninth on its 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time list. According to Andy Griffith,

4158-470: Was called "Sid"). Knotts's mother was 40 years old at his birth. His father, who had schizophrenia and battled alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inwards at an early age. His father died of pneumonia when Knotts was 13. He and his brothers were subsequently raised by their mother, who ran a boarding house in Morgantown. She died in 1969 at age 84. Her son William preceded her in death in 1941 at age 31. They are buried in

4224-588: Was named an honorary deputy sheriff with the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department. Knotts was recognized in 2000 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . He continued to act on stage, but much of his film and television work after 2000 was as voice talent. In 2002, he appeared again with Scooby-Doo in the video game Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights . He also spoofed his appearances on that show in various promotions for Cartoon Network , and in

4290-465: Was the last Three's Company star to work with Ritter. During this period of time, macular degeneration in both eyes caused the otherwise robust Knotts to become virtually blind. His live appearances on television were few. In 2005, he parodied his Ralph Furley character while playing a Paul Young variation in a Desperate Housewives sketch on The 3rd Annual TV Land Awards . He parodied that part one final time in "Stone Cold Crazy", an episode of

4356-415: Was the show's saving grace because he was uncomfortable with the original concept to have Andy Taylor being the comic lead. In an interview with The Archive of American Television , Griffith admitted, "The second episode was called 'Manhunt' and I knew by that episode that Don should be the comic and I should play straight for him. That made all the difference." Fife appeared on The Andy Griffith Show from

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