RIP Don Knotts

Actor. Comedian. Sex symbol.

Three things you might think difficult for a man from humble beginnings in West Virginia to achieve, but then again, when was Don Knotts just like everyone else?

Born July 21, 1924, Don Knotts was destined for greatness from the very start. During WWII, he entertained the troops with his style of comedy and brought home the World War II Victory Medal. At the end of the war he enrolled and graduated from his hometown university, West Virginia University, in 1948.

After that, he headed out to make his mark on the world...and what a mark that turned out to be. Known best for playing Deputy Barney Fife, Don Knotts will forever be remembered as one of the finest actors of his generation. He earned five Emmy awards for his work on the Andy Griffith Show and should have received countless others for his portrayal of Mr. Furley on the hit show Three's Company.

You could say his career stalled a bit after that, but he's Don Knotts, and Don Knotts does not let his career stall. He returned to the role of Barney Fife in a made-for-television movie in 1986 and was later seen in the movie Pleasantville in 1998.

In the year 2000, he was finally awarded his place in history as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was about 30 years too late, but who's counting.

Sadly, he succumbed yesterday to complications from lung cancer. He will be sorely missed and this blog salutes him. Goodbye Don Knotts, may you rest in peace.