don knotts son, thomas don knotts son, thomas

His commercial breakthrough came in 1960 with the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) where he played Barney Fife. ", Don Knotts, US actor, in costume in a studio portrait, against a blue background, issued as publicity for the television series. Karen is currently in the process of writing a memoir and is now performing a show about her childhood titledTied Up In Knotts!. in Morgantown, West Virginia , Ethiopia, Died on February 24, 2006 A son named Thomas Knotts and the actress Karen Knotts. He attended St. Patrick's School and graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 1974 and attended Allan Hancock College and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Tom worked at his family. At that point, he gained some emotional freedom and was able to fight his brother's terrorism. A statue honoring him, created by Jamie Lester, was unveiled on July 23, 2016, in front of The Metropolitan Theatre on High Street in his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia. The ill-treatment he received continued for years until the comedian's father died when he was 13. Actor Don Knotts, best known for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on the popular 1960's television series "The Andy Griffith Show," poses at a luncheon honoring Knotts with actor Andy Griffith. His first marriage ended in 1964 with a divorce and he married his second wife, Loralee Czuchna in 1974. Though he left The Andy Griffith Show in 1965 to pursue a film career, his periodic returns in 1966 and '67 earned him two more Emmys. However, the comedian made sure to go to his children's room and say goodnight. we begin to show & tell who our loved ones were during particular moments in their lives. His English paternal ancestors emigrated to America in the 17th century, originally settling in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. The original series only aired for 3 seasons due to low ratings. However, none of Knotts' roles stood out as much as his portrayal of Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show." Many loved the entertainment icon for his quick wits and his notable roles in productions such as "Three's Company," "Mr. Chicken," and "The Ghost. He was stressed out. that occurred during Thomas' lifetime. He was survived by two children, Karen and Thomas, from his first marriage to Kathryn Metz. He first married Kathryn Metz in 1947 and got divorced in 1964. In the 1950s, Don Knotts had several series appearances, including Search for Tomorrow, Robert Montgomery Presents, The Bob Cummings Show, and The Steve Allen Plymouth Show. The Amendment had only received 35 of the necessary 38 state ratifications. In 1958, Knotts made his film debut in the adapted version of No Time for Sergeants. Tom is a United States citizen - he was born in the United States and has lived his life in California, and in Palo Alto since the 1990s. [1]:18[2] He also played Ralph Furley on the highly rated[3] sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. Don Knotts Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio-Wiki, Frances Yarborough(m. 20022006),Loralee Czuchna(m. 19741983),Kathryn Metz(m. 19471964). He also appeared in the video game Scooby-Doo! On February 24, 2006, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, lung cancer was the reason behind Don Knottss death. Here's a glimpse at the icon's fatherhood, including how he was once teased about his soft parenting. 24 death records, 201 followers 28.0k+ favorites. From his first marriage, Knotts had a son, Thomas Knotts, and a daughter, actress Karen Knotts (born April 2, 1954). He was honored with a Star on the Walk of Fame in 2000. 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. When he was dying, he was making us laugh in hysterics. His mother lives in Sacramento, in Northern California and it seems that Tom's choice was to live in Northern California, at least until his mother passed away. He later starred in Three's Company and hosted his own sitcom/variety show, The Don. He attended St. Patrick's School and graduated from. His first marriage ended in 1964 with a divorce and he married his second wife, Loralee Czuchna in 1974. (81 years old). [1]:12 He also made frequent guest appearances on other shows such as The Bill Cosby Show and Here's Lucy. Don Knotts is best known for his role as Barney Fife in the television series The Andy Griffith Show (1960 -1968) for which he received widespread recognition and multiple awards. Knotts' portrayal of the deputy on the popular show earned him five Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy.[14]. He had a son, Thomas Knotts and daughter, actress Karen Knotts, from his first marriage. In 2000, Don Knotts was awarded a star on the Walk of Fame by Hollywood. Where we share what we remember to make discoveries and meaningful connections with others. In 1966, on September 8th, the first Star Trek episode, "The Man Trap," was broadcast on NBC. The average age of (Reuters), And despite getting older, Knotts was determined to pursue his passion to entertain. After Knotts and Metz parted ways, the latter relocated to North Carolina with their son, while Karen remained with her father. Knotts pulled his friend into the restroom and asked. After that, his roles were sporadic, including a cameo appearance in the film Big Bully (1996) as the high school principal. [1]:15 He continued to act on stage, but much of his film and television work after 2000 was as voice talent. Knotts and Metz dated for two years before tying the knot in December 1947 in a ceremony at Metz's father's church. Name: Don Knotts Birth Year: 1924 Birth date: July 21, 1924 Birth State: West Virginia Birth City: Morgantown Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Don Knotts was a comedic. Los Angeles, CA. Market data provided by Factset. in the family tree section to add relatives, or press the "X" What was Andy Griffith worth at his death? Eventually, after staying married for almost two decades, the comedian decided to end his union with Metz. His first leading role in a film came in 1964, with The Incredible Mr. Limpet. [1]:7, Knotts served in the army from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946, in the Army's 6817th Special Services Battalion. When you share a memory, or just show that you care by interacting with the biography, In 1979, Knotts returned to series television in his second most identifiable role, the wacky but lovable landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company. Please try again. Threes Company in 1979 was his second most popular television show and he played the character of a wacky-but-lovable landlord, Ralph Furley in the show. In episode #196, Andy gave Barney more bullets so that he would have a loaded gun to go after a bad guy that Barney unintentionally helped escape. American television actor Don Knotts stands his family on the porch of their home, March 2, 1961. Further, the frequency band can be changed as long as the VCO is being controlled by a frequency detector. Knotts struggled with hypochondria and macular degeneration. She was studying Speech and English, and the only thing she knew about the comedian was that he was the fair-haired boy from the drama department. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. Due to such incidents, Don became quite reclusive at a very young age. Thomas M. Knotts, 56, of Nipomo passed away on Monday, July 2, 2012 while walking on the beach. In 1993, on February 26th, a truck bomb exploded in the garage under the North Tower of the World Trade Center. In 1955, he made his debut on Broadway in the hit comedy, No Time For Sergeants, which marked his first collaboration with Andy Griffith. Three years later, the comedy icon was diagnosed with lung cancer. [18] He continued to work steadily, though he did not appear as a regular on any successful television series until in 1979 he got the part of landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company for seasons 4 through 8, after the departure of Norman Fell, who had played the previous landlord. She died in 1969 at age 84. next to their name to remove from the family tree. Knotts suffered from severe hypochondria and also had a degenerative eye disease called macular degeneration. Years later, Karen would open up about the comedian's great fatherhood, despite his busy schedule. Thats what comedians live for! He was right; I should have just stood there and blasted out laughing.. Before his demise and after one failed marriage, Knotts married two more times. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. He divorced Loralee in 1983 and married Frances Yarborough in 2002. [1]:13 The series, which was already an established hit, added Knotts to the cast when the original landlords, Stanley and Helen Roper (a married couple played by Norman Fell and Audra Lindley, respectively) left to star in their own short-lived spin-off series The Ropers. In addition to doing stand-up comedy at clubs, he appeared on radio, eventually playing the wisecracking, know-it-all character "Windy Wales" on a radio Western called "Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders". But his marriage wasn't the only challenge he'd have to face in life. [7] He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at WVU. [23] He underwent treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the months before his death, but returned home after reportedly feeling better. Born on July 21, 1924, as Jesse Donald Knotts, in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, the famous comic . He served in World War II following which he completed his bachelors degree in education in 1948 from West Virginia University with minor in speech. [6] He toured the western Pacific Islands as a comedian, in a G.I. [3] It was directed by Andersen Gabrych. [1]:11 After making How to Frame a Figg, Knotts' five-film contract with Universal finished. Select " [relationship]" Don Knotts played the comic and pathetic sides of the character with equal aplomb and he received three Emmy Awards during the show's first five seasons. After the army, he got his first major break on television in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow where he appeared from 1953 to 1955. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Griffith was in control of what happened after he died He asked a small group of trusted friends to bury him immediately after his death, as de Vis wrote, before the paparazzi could storm Roanoke Island to capture his remains on film. Knotts eventually spent years in therapy but also found solace in entertaining. He had a son, Thomas Knotts and daughter, actress Karen Knotts, from his first marriage. Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 - February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. She Once Posed for Photos with a Plastic Surgeon, Married Andy Griffith Proposed to Co-star Several Times after Pressuring Wife to Quit Her Job to Raise Kids, John Wayne Welcomed Son at 56 & Knew He Would Miss Him Growing Up He Did Not Let Him Go to School, Nicolas Cage Wed Waitress 20 Years His Junior despite Her Family's Objection to Their Age Gap, Jerry Seinfeld Has 3 Kids Who Say He Is Not 'Nice Enough' It Took Him 'Years to Warm Up' to Them, Susan Lucci's 52-Year Husband Couldn't 'Wait 'Til She' Came 'Home' to Him Every Night He Quit His Career for Her, Dean Martin's Daughter Revealed That Her Dad Was Actually a Family Man with Traditional Values, Robert Conrad's Wife of 27 Years Remarried before His Death Yet Called Him Her 'Partner' after His Funeral, Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, George Carlin's Only Daughter 'Started Mysteriously Sleeping on the Floor' When Her Parents Began Arguing More. From left, daughter Karen, son Tom, Knotts, and. What was Don Knotts net worth when he passed away? The two men shared an uncomfortable Thomas Knotts was the son of actor Don Knotts. Unfortunately, while Knotts spent time working and building his career, his marriage crumbled. Knotts published in autobiography Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known in 1999. However, on Christmas Day in 2005, the comedian and his wife hosted Thomas and Karen. She also performs standup comedy on the road. His marriage to Kathryn Metz lasted from 1947 until their divorce in 1964, and he raised his daughter as a single parent. Very little is known about him. By January 2006, shortly after the New Year, Knotts had sunk into delirium and was admitted into Cedars Sinai Hospital. Jesse Donald Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia in 1924. All rights reserved. Comedian Don Knotts tries to figure out the 1961 Income Tax Return. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. The frequency band of the multi-band VCO can be changed only when the tuning signal is outside the tuning signal window. Around this time he also signed a five-film deal with Universal Studios. a At the time of his death, Don Knottss net worth was estimated to have been more than $20 Million. He teamed up with Tim Conway and gave his voice to Hermie and Friends in 2003. The primary reason of death was the complications arising from pneumonia related to lung cancer. Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, the youngest of four sons of farmer William Jesse Knotts and his wife Elsie Luzetta Knotts (ne Moore), who were married in Spraggs, Pennsylvania. Don Knottss most popular appearances were in The Andy Griffith Show and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States, Spouse/Ex-: Frances Yarborough (m. 20022006), Kathryn Metz (m. 19471964), Loralee Czuchna (m. 19741983), place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States, Ancestry: British American, Indian American, Diseases & Disabilities: Respiratory Problems, Lung Cancer, education: West Virginia University, Morgantown High School, See the events in life of Don Knotts in Chronological Order, (Actor and Comedian Known for His Role in TV Series: 'The Andy Griffith Show' and 'Three's Company'), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ay6XLTJ64M. Their relationship was so bad that Knotts' father threatened him with a knife on one occasion. Unfortunately, the joy Knotts brought his family soon ended. But Knotts never forgot about his horrific past. Don had three elder brothers. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Three days after Thomas was born, Knotts traveled to California for work. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Then, he went to New York in an attempt to kick an acting career, but that failed, so he returned home and later joined the United States Army. (m. 27-Dec-1947, div. He was mercurial, she said. In 1960, actor Don Knotts joined the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. After his freshman year, Knotts joined the U.S. Army, and during World War II, he toured the Pacific Islands as a comedian as part of a G.I. In 2003, he teamed up again with Tim Conway to provide voices for the direct-to-video children's series Hermie and Friends, which continued until Knotts' death. In the 1960s, Don Knotts had major rules in series, including The Red Skelton Hour and The Andy Griffith Show, which his fame grew a lot for. Help paint a picture of Thomas so that he is always remembered. During his childhood, Knotts' father became a paranoid schizophrenic and alcoholic, and Knotts sometimes joked that he drove his father crazy. [10] During his service, he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the AsiaticPacific Campaign Medal (with four bronze service stars), the American Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Marksman Badge (with an M1 Carbine) and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin. His film appearances during that period include No Time for Sergeants and Wake Me When Its Over. He was born in 1956 in Lynwood, Caif. The actor, best known for starring as bumbling, bug-eye Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, died in 2006 at age 81 from pulmonary and respiratory complications. "When his father passed, he was 13 years old. Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. On one of those visits, Karen recalled how Andy Griffith teased Knotts about his soft parenting towards his daughter. Knotts struggled with hypochondria and macular degeneration. Andy Griffith Jr. [5], Knotts graduated from Morgantown High School. He got a great psychiatrist named Duke Renniker. His father, who had schizophrenia and alcoholism, sometimes terrorized him with a knife, causing him to turn inward at an early age. Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 February 24, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. Jesse Donald Knotts was born on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia. At that point, that burden that huge burden lifted off him, and he became old enough that he was able to get the other brother under control, so he was no longer terrorized at home.. The couple's son, Thomas, followed in 1957. With Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Frances Bavier, Don Knotts. The Incredible Mr. Limpet was his first film in a leading role which released in 1964. His father was bedridden by the time he was born, battling alcoholism and schizophrenia. Add Thomas' family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. Thomas' average age compared to other Knotts family members is unknown. [citation needed] He and his co-stars attended the funeral four days later. BY ANCESTRY.COM. Add friend Advertisement Followers & Sources Source (s): Jesse Donald Knotts was born on July 21, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. While enlisted, he chose to become a ventriloquist and comedian as part of a G.I. variety show called "Stars and Gripes". Welcome to AncientFaces, a com "Thank you for helping me find my family & friends again so many years after I lost them. He appeared as Felix Unger in a stage version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, with Art Carney as Oscar Madison, and toured in the Neil Simon comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers. I was a kid. Being born on 21 July 1924, Don Knotts was 82 years old at the time of his death. He was married to his second wife, Loralee Czuchna, from 1974 to 1983, and was later romantically involved with actress Francey Yarborough. Knotts was the last Three's Company star to work with Ritter. The actor was aged 81 at the time of his death. Tom is an electrical engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Don Knotts died on February 24, 2006, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California from pulmonary and respiratory complications to pneumonia related to lung cancer. In 2005, he was the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little (2005), his first Disney movie since 1979. "One night, I just couldn't go to sleep, and he bought me a little radio, and I left it on all night, and it cured me of my sleeplessness," Karen recalled. That most popular appearance he had been in the situation comedy show that aired on CBS, The Andy Griffith Show, and a 1966 comedy-drama film called The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. After high school, Knotts proceeded to university, where he met his first wife, Kathryn Metz. Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved. or visit Help / Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) to discover more about the community. | Source: Getty Images. AncientFaces is a place where our memories & family stories live. Night of 100 Frights.. Don appeared in thirteen episodes of What a Country! in 1987. Don and Kathryn are the parents of 1 son and one daughter, Thomas Knotts, and actress Karen Knotts. On set, Knotts easily integrated himself into the already established cast who were, as John Ritter put it, "so scared" of Knotts because of his star status. After Don who died in 2006 at age 81 left the series in 1965, he went on to have a successful career in films like "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," "The Shakiest Gun in the West" and "The Apple. Knotts teamed up with his The Andy Griffith Show co-stars in 1986 for the television movie special Return to Mayberry. He always fired his pistol accidentally while still in his holster or in the ceiling of the courthouse, at which point he would sadly hand his pistol to Andy. The actor's daughter would later reveal that Knotts' school years were the best years of his life. Best Supporting Actor in a Television Comedy, Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Danny Thomas, 8 Simple Rules (to Dating My Teenage Daughter), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Television 7083 Hollywood, Blvd. Don Knotts was one of the greatest actors across the world, and for that, he received several award winnings and nominations. Market data provided by Factset. | Source: Getty Images. She told Closer Weekly Saturday that anyone who knew her father wouldnt be surprised by her shocking response. First sent to the states in 1972, the Amendment stated that "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex". They are buried in the family plot at Beverly Hills Memorial Park in Morgantown. He was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Well, if youre ready, lets start. The following wedding announcement appeared in The Los Angeles Times on Friday November 30th 1990: 1979 yearbook photo of Thomas Knotts at USC. He remained on the show until it went off the air in 1984. Don Knotts Later Years And Death. Don Knotts studied at Morgantown High School; then, he served in World War 2. In 2004, TV Guide ranked him number 27 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.[4]. Biographies are our place to remember and discover more about the people important to us. Wrong username or password. of 1 . Knotts works as a stand-up comic and SAG/AFTRA actor. In 1988, Knotts joined Andy Griffith on TV's Matlock, in the recurring role of pesky neighbor Les Calhoun, until 1992. Don Knotts was an actor from the United States of America. . He had a recurring role in Matlock from 1987 to 1992 with his Griffith team. When he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, he participated in a variety show that toured the Pacific. It was revealed that Knotts' romantic involvement with Lynn Paul, Andy Griffith's manager's assistant, was the cause of the split. Karen Knotts poses with her memoir "Tied Up in Knotts" at Book Soup on March 03, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. ADVERTISEMENT He and his brothers were then raised by their mother, who ran a boarding house in Morgantown. Knotts completed his graduation from Morgantown High School and was soon enlisted in the Army. After enlisting in the United States Army and serving in World War II,[6] he earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in speech from West Virginia University in Morgantown, graduating in 1948. [1]:15 That year, his hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia changed the name of the street formerly known as South University Avenue (U.S. Route 119) to Don Knotts Boulevard on "Don Knotts Day". In 1998, he had a small but pivotal role as a mysterious TV repairman in Pleasantville. His live appearances on television were few. For his role on the show, he won three Emmy Awards for outstanding performance in a supporting role in a series. We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. In the 1940s, before earning a college degree, he served in the United States Army and in World War II. He also enjoyed success on the big screen in films such as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and The Reluctant Astronaut. He was also Garys first postmaster. $20 Million We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Don first married Kathryn Metz in 1947. In 1986, Knotts reunited with Andy Griffith in the made-for-television film Return to Mayberry, reprising his Barney Fife role. Andy Griffith net worth: Andy Griffith was an American actor and singer who had a net worth of $60 million at the time of his death.Andy Griffith Net Worth. His father was an alcoholic and suffered from schizophrenia. When Don Knotts was on his deathbed, his daughter Karen needed to run out of the room so she could laugh. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Grace Palmer , Thomas Miner, Hlie de BOURGOGNE , Guillaume III Talvas de MONTGOMMERY. She has followed in her father's footsteps as a comedian and currently runs a one-woman comedy show titled "Tied Up In Knotts. Don performed some stand-up comedy in clubs; he also did some radio work. His character's absence on the show was explained by Deputy Fife's having finally made the "big time," joining the Raleigh, North Carolina, police force.[17]. Thomas' immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Knotts family tree. "[16], Knotts believed remarks by Griffith that The Andy Griffith Show would end after five seasons, and he began to look for other work, signing a five-film contract with Universal Studios. (1969) and How to Frame a Figg (1971). He lay on his deathbed surrounded by his kids, and during that period, he finally decided to tell Thomas and Karen about his illness. My dad was very burdened down by all these problems, said Karen. I felt really, really proud of him for all the work that he put into being a happy person. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,.css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}contact us! Born to a pair of farmers, Don Knotts was raised "dirt poor" in West Virginia during the Great Depression. His third marriage was to Frances Yarborough, from 2002 until his death in 2006. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. . "[1]:11 Knotts was married three times. They also did two independent films, the boxing comedy The Prize Fighter (1979), and the mystery-comedy The Private Eyes (1980). Don Knotts was a comedic actor of film and television known for his roles on TV's The Andy Griffith Show and Three's Company. Knotts always had his children in mind. variety show called "Stars and Gripes". His last credited role was in 2006 for voicing a deputy bloodhound named Sniffer in Air Buddies., He was also a very loving father, said Karen. Don Knotts is a legendary actor best known for his role as Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show.Knotts won five Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the show certainly wouldn't have been the same without him. Knotts stayed with the tremendously successful show for five seasons, during which time he won three Emmy Awards for outstanding performance in a supporting role in a series. AncientFaces is a 100% free and family-friendly community to share memories and connect with others to discover more about Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces | Source: Getty Images. Knotts took the role of Barney Fife, the deputyand originally cousinof Sheriff Andy Taylor (portrayed by Griffith). By the end, he had overcome everything that was down in his life. :18 He also played Ralph Furley on the highly rated sitcom Three's Company from 1979 to 1984. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Select the next to any field to update. Knotts was nominated for TV Land Awards under the categories Nosiest Neighbor and Favorite Fashion Plate Male in 2003 and 2004 respectively for his show Threes Company.. During his later years he also suffered from cancer. He was his biggest fan and mentor. However, he loved to perform and took active part in school and church functions. Karen recalled how she frequently visited the set and befriended Griffith. He married Kay Metz and moved back to New York, where connections he had made in the Special Services Branch helped him break into show business. They had two children, Thomas and Karen Knotts. Knotts died at age 81 on February 24, 2006, at the Cedars-Sinai . Don Knotts was a seasoned comedian with many accolades to show for it. [8], Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. Knotts family member is 71. Who is Thomas Knotts to you? | Source: Getty Images. Kathryn and Don also have a son, Thomas Knotts. Thomas is Caucasian. Suggest an alternative Share your comments about this record Karen confessed that Knotts worked long hours and sometimes missed dinner because he arrived home late.