What Was Don Knotts' Net Worth?
Don Knotts was an American comedian and actor who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of his death in 2006. Don Knotts was best known for his roles as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" and as landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company."
Early Life
Don Knotts was born Jesse John Knotts on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia. His parents were of English descent, and their lineage traces its roots to 17th-century America. His father was an alcoholic farmer who suffered from abusive bouts of schizophrenia and was bedridden at the time of Don's birth. After Knotts' oldest brother died of pneumonia, Don and his two remaining brothers were raised by their mother at the boarding house she operated.
He had an early interest in comedy and performing and would often put on ventriloquist shows around town. Following his graduation from high school, he spent a brief time in New York City pursuing jobs as an entertainer and then returned home to attend college at West Virginia University.
Knotts' college education was interrupted when he was drafted in 1943 to serve in the Army's Special Services Branch as a member of a military comedy troupe. In the troupe, he focused on ventriloquism. Don had a ventriloquist act called "Stars and Gripes" that he grew to despise so much that he tossed its signature dummy, Danny, overboard. During his time in the military, he had the opportunity to network with other entertainers and sharpen his comedy routines. He returned to West Virginia from his service in 1948.
Early Career
After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in education, Knotts got married and returned to New York City to pursue a show business career. His connections from the military helped him break into the scene, and he landed his first major television role in 1953 on the soap opera "Searching for Tomorrow." He was featured on the 1959-1960 season of Steve Allen's variety show, where his recognition as a comedian grew. Knotts then took a leading role in the star-studded Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants," where he became acquainted with Andy Griffith. The play had been adapted from a television series starring Griffith, and it was based on a novel. After the play closed, it was adapted into a film starring both Griffith and Knotts.
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"Andy Griffith Show" Fame
In 1960, Knotts was given a leading role in "The Andy Griffith Show," playing a bumbling, rustic Sheriff's deputy. His career skyrocketed with the success of the show, and he earned five Emmys for his performance. Believing it would conclude after its fifth season, Knotts left the show to pursue a career in film, but he would return to reprise his role as Barney Fife in later seasons.
He got his first leading film role in 1964's "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" and subsequently signed a five-film contract with Universal Studios. These primarily family-friendly comedies included the box office hits "The Reluctant Astronaut" and "The Shakiest Gun in the West." He spent most of the '60s working on films for Universal, and after his contract ended, he was offered his own variety show on NBC. "The Don Knotts Show" premiered in 1970, but it suffered from poor ratings and low viewership. Knotts realized that he felt uncomfortable in the variety show format, and it was canceled soon after airing.
Andy Griffith Show Salary Dispute
When he agreed to do "The Andy Griffith Show," Don at first accepted a one-year contract. Ahead of the second season, he signed an extension that paid him $1,250 per episode. Roughly $35,000 per season. After adjusting for inflation, that's the same as earning $13,200 per episode today, roughly $370,000 per year today. It was quickly seen as a bad deal and he regretted locking himself in at such a low rate. At one point, Don apparently requested a share of the show's backend ownership, which was wholly owned by Andy, and the two producers Sheldon Leonard and Danny Thomas. His request was denied.
This low rate, and Andy Griffith's apparent refusal to reconsider the deal or offer a raise, created tension between the two stars. However, Don was also under the impression that the series would end after the fifth season, and he agreed to the contract after all, so he mostly let it go. He even signed a five-film movie deal with Universal Studios ahead of the fifth season's conclusion.
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Later Films and "Three's Company"
While he worked consistently throughout the early '70s, Don didn't have many notable roles and mainly stuck to guest appearances on television. It wasn't until 1975 that he returned to film. In addition to working on two independent films, he had a leading role in two Disney films and supporting roles in four others. In 1979, he joined the incredibly popular sitcom "Three's Company" and played an eccentric yet lovable landlord. He remained on the show for five seasons until its end in 1984, and his portrayal of Mr. Furley was as beloved by viewers as his character on "The Andy Griffith Show."
His television roles on both sitcoms marked the peaks of his acting career and cemented his status as a Hollywood legend. In 1986, he reunited with his former "Andy Griffith Show" castmates for the TV movie "Return to Mayberry." Throughout the late '80s and '90s, his work was more sporadic, and he primarily took parts as a guest star on television or minor character in film.
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Personal Life
Don married three times. His first marriage to his hometown girlfriend, Kathryn Metz, lasted from 1947 to 1964. The couple had two children together, and after their divorce, Knotts raised the children on his own. His daughter, Karen Knotts, followed in her father's footsteps and became a comedian and actress. His second marriage to Loralee Czuchna lasted from 1974 to 1983. In 2002, Don wed actress Francey Yarborough and remained with her until his death just four years later.
Throughout his life, Knotts suffered from depression, anxiety, and hypochondria. Even once he became a notable comedian, he struggled with an inferiority complex that would sometimes cause him to stay in bed for days. When he was only 57, he was diagnosed with macular degeneration, an eye condition that causes blurry vision and worsens over time. He continued to work until it became so severe that he was no longer able to drive.
In the early 2000s, Knotts was diagnosed with lung cancer. His last film would be as a voice actor in Disney's "Chicken Little." He died in 2006 at age 81 from complications related to his cancer. One of the last people to leave his bedside was his good friend and frequent costar Andy Griffith. After his death, Griffith wanted a statue of Knotts placed in his hometown and fought for it to be made in Don's likeness, but he lost out to others who wanted it to resemble his most recognizable character Deputy Barney Fife.
Real Estate
At the time of his death, Don's primary residence was a condo near Beverly Hills. He bought the unit in August 1983 for $338,170. His estate sold the unit in October 2007 for $1.23 million.
