Career Early careerīefore he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at WVU.

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. Knotts graduated from Morgantown High School. They are buried in the family plot at Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown. Her son William preceded her in death in 1941 at age 31. He and his brothers were then raised by their mother, who ran a boarding house in Morgantown. His father died of pneumonia when Knotts was 13. His father, who had schizophrenia and alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inward at an early age. His brothers were named Willis, William, and Ralph (who was called 'Sid'). His English paternal ancestors emigrated to America in the 17th century, originally settling in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 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. Knotts won five Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy. He reprised the character in other shows, such as The Joey Bishop Show and Return to Mayberry. Knotts was cast as deputy Barney Fife on television's The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968. In 1958, Knotts made his film debut in the adapted version of No Time for Sergeants. He then gained wide recognition as part of 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. variety show, Stars and Gripes.Īfter the army, he got his first major break on television in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. While enlisted, he chose to become a ventriloquist and comedian as part of a G.I. In the 1940s, before earning a college degree, he served in the United States Army and in World War II.

Knotts was born in West Virginia, the youngest of four children. In 2004, TV Guide ranked him number 27 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list. He starred in multiple comedic films, including the leading roles in The Incredible Mr. : 18 He also played Ralph Furley on the highly rated sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, a 1960s sitcom for which he earned five Emmy Awards. He has seven children and two grandchildren.Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian.

In 2005, the duo joined the rest of the Carol Burnett cast in receiving TV Land's Legend Award and, in 2008, Conway received his 7th Emmy Award for his Guest Appearance on “30 Rock.”Ĭonway’s most successful films include Disney’s “The Apple Dumpling Gang” and “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again,” as well as “The Private Eyes” and “The Prize Fighter,” both written by Conway and featuring his “The Apple Dumpling Gang” co-star and longtime friend, Don Knotts.Ĭonway’s first book, What’s So Funny? My Hilarious Life, was released thru Simon & Schuster, Inc./Howard Books in October 2013 and hit the New York Times Best Seller list for five weeks.Ĭonway resides in Encino, California, with his wife of thirty years. In 1989, Conway received his much deserved star on Hollywood's 'Walk of Fame.' In 2002, he and Korman were inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame. The spontaneous break in character became a hallmark to watch for in every episode.Ĭonway's often-improvised humor, razor-sharp timing and unforgettable characters have made him one of the funniest and most authentic performers to grace the stage and studio in the last forty years. Conway played the funny guy opposite Harvey Korman's straight man, often cracking up Korman midway through scenes. Tim Conway is best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” a legendary 11-year stint that garnered him six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and four generations of fans.

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