When Don Knotts appeared in the 1998 movie, Pleasantville, it was towards the end of his life. He passed away eight years later. Pleasantville would go down in history as his last big project. The movie was about two teenagers stuck in a black-and-white, fictional 1950s TV series. As Knotts helped to define a bygone era of television, his inclusion in the film lent the project credibility. People close to Knotts and fans knew he was more than Barney Fife from Mayberry, more than the TV Repairman from Pleasantville. This is the rest of Don Knotts.
25. Award Winning
Knotts eventually left The Andy Griffith Show as he thought the show would end after season five, and took other work. Before he left, in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, and 1967, he won Emmy awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy playing Barney Fife. He was part of the reason that shows dominated the comedy awards at most award shows. Most actors will never experience that kind of recognition.
24. TV Land Awards
In 2004, Knotts showed up with his old pal, Andy Griffith, for the TV Land Awards. The show recognizes TV shows in a variety of morphing categories. It was one his last award show appearances. It was also one of the last times fans saw the famous pair together again. Don Knotts looked haggard compared to Griffith, a fact critics didn’t hesitate to point out.