Learn About The 50 States
Don Knotts (1924)close
Jesse Donald Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was a shy child, prone to illness and episodes of depression. However, through his acting, he gained confidence, and by the time he was in high school, he had created a ventriloquist act. After high school, Knotts enlisted in the army, and after he left the army, he decided to give radio a try, and auditioned for a local theater company. In the mid 1950s, he landed a small role in a Broadway production entitled No time for Sergeants with Andy Griffith. He then auditioned for a movie version of the play, and then was recruited by Griffith for a regular spot on a television show launched in 1960. Knotts earned five Emmy awards for his work as "Barney Fife," the bumbling deputy sheriff. He also worked on a series of movies for Disney, including The Apple Dumpling Gang.
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Looking for a famous American?
This page presents short biographies of more than 200 famous Americans drawn from our unit, "The 50 States." These personalities are arranged by theme.
Just click a theme at the top of the page to view a selection list for that theme.
African Americans:
Artists:
Business Leaders:
National "Characters":
| Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum | Clyde Barrow | John Wilkes Booth |
| Butch Cassidy | William "Buffalo Bill" Cody | Davy Crockett |
| Jesse James | Evel Knievel | Harland David "Colonel" Sanders |
| Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith |
Cultural Figures:
Inventors:
Pioneers and "Firsts":
Politicians & Activists:
Scientists:
Sports Figures:
Accomplished Women:
Writers & Poets: