![]() ![]() ![]() The duo of TV veterans appeared in six features together (as of 1996) beginning with the Disney Western comedy "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (1975). Bilko" creator Nat Hiken, in which he played a take-off on PLAYBOY's Hugh Hefner named Abner Peacock.After a brief return to TV as the host and star of the comedy-variety series "The Don Knotts Show" (NBC, 1970-71), the 70s found Knotts in more juvenile film fare, sometimes paired with Tim Conway in broad comedies. Knotts' 60s film career concluded with "The Love God?" (1969), helmed by "Sgt. The latter, a remake of the 1948 Bob Hope vehicle "The Paleface," was one of his better efforts. Chicken" (1966), "The Reluctant Astronaut" (1967) and "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968). His subsequent films were also low-budget kiddie fodder whose titles tell the tale: "The Ghost and Mr. This innocuous family film-a live-action/animation blend about a wimpy bookkeeper and fish-lover who becomes a war hero after magically transforming into a dolphin- was no great shakes but remains a fond memory to many thirtysomethings who watched TV in their youth. ![]() He had fared well in supporting roles, notably playing a mousy shoe salesman in the Doris Day vehicle "Move Over, Darling" (1963), but his TV success gave him leading man status beginning with "The Incredible Mr. The latter again paired him with Griffith who subsequently hired Knotts to co-star in his sitcom.Knotts left "The Andy Griffith Show" to pursue a feature career. He reprised the role of Manual Dexterity Corporal for TV on CBS's "The US Steel Hour" and the 1958 feature (his film debut). In between TV assignments, Knotts made his Broadway debut in 1955's "No Time for Sergeants," his first collaboration with Griffith. Knotts gained some attention with sketch appearances on "The Gary Moore Show" and, from 1956-60, gained further exposure as part of the ensemble of "The Steve Allen Show," a superior NBC comedy variety series. He found work in radio and TV, doing a stint on a soap and on the children's show "Howdy Doody," as Tim Tremble, a nervous friend of Buffalo Bob. variety show called "Stars and Gripes." After the service, Knotts went to college where he earned a teaching degree but turned down a fellowship, opting to move to NYC to pursue acting. More specifically, he was a comedian in a touring G.I. Knotts got his first taste of showbiz in the Army during WWII while serving in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations. ![]()
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