Just a Humble West Virginian
By Laura Spitznogle
You may know him best as Barney Fife or Ralph Furley. If you spent much time in Morgantown, you surely know that he was born and raised here and graduated from WVU in 1948 with a bachelor of arts in theatre. It’s hard to miss the street sign that says Don Knotts Boulevard near the river. You also might expect that with success, fame, and fortune, that the accomplished actor is now aloof and unapproachable, but that’s just not the case. In fact, Morgantown’s own Don Knotts is a very humble man.
In August, the city of Morgantown decided to hold a festival for the man known for his slapstick humor and slight stature. To honor the five-time Emmy Award winner, the city planned to put a star in the sidewalk in front of the Metropolitan Theatre (somewhat like the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles), show his films in the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater, and more. Unfortunately, Knotts was unable to attend the festival because he wasn’t well enough to travel.
Surprised the city is going to such lengths to honor him, Knotts appreciates that a new generation of fans is becoming familiar with his work via reruns and fan clubs.
For the old and new fans alike there’s an official TAGSRWC (The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club) chapter in Morgantown. This is a national organization, with clubs all over the U.S. and even in other countries. Then, there’s the TV network, TV Land, which not only shows reruns of The Andy Griffith Show, but of Three’s Company, too. If you don’t have cable TV, you can visit numerous Web sites dedicated to Knotts and his works, and many places rent or sell his movies. He has been in numerous plays, television series, and movies. He has worked with Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Orson Welles, Tim Conway, and many more great actors and actresses. You can still hear his voice on various cartoons, including the upcoming animated film Chicken Little.
In 1999, the notoriously shy and private Knotts published his autobiography, Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known. In the book, Knotts tells of growing up on University Avenue in a poor but close-knit family. He still thinks that his older brother, Shadow, was the funniest member of his family. He tells of his insecurities and the struggles he encountered on the long road of becoming a well-known, talented actor. He even sounds humble in his book as he describes his work and the process of becoming famous along the way.
Morgantown isn’t a big city and there aren’t a lot of famous people from here. But when there’s somebody to be proud of, the people here aren’t shy. Although the Don Knotts Festival in Morgantown was postponed, the sidewalk star ceremony still took place, as did the first official meeting of the local Don Knotts Fan Club and a display of Knotts memorabilia.
Even though Knotts became famous and now lives in Beverly Hills, he’s still just a humble West Virginian at heart. He came from modest beginnings and worked diligently to be so incredibly successful; he hasn’t forgetten his hometown, his family, or WVU. So, Don, here’s to you feeling good enough to attend the festival next summer so Morgantown can honor one of its truly humble sons.