Don Knotts left 'The Andy Griffith Show' after five years in 1965, and 55 years later, there's still questions as to why he departed the series. Find out here!

Samantha Faragalli Younghans - Author

The Andy Griffith Show was one of the vital in style series on television from 1960 until 1968. That arguably had so much to do with the star-studded forged, in particular comedic actor Don Knotts. He portrayed Barney Fife at the hit display from 1960 till 1965 (Seasons 1 to five) till he made up our minds to leave the display and his main role behind. Now, Fifty five years later, reruns of the display are elevating questions on why Don left The Andy Griffith Show within the first place. Scroll down for the whole lot we all know!

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Why did Don Knotts leave 'The Andy Griffith Show'?

It seems Don left the comedy all those years ago due to miscommunication with the show's superstar, Andy Griffith. "I left because Andy said he would never do the show more than five years," Don explained in a previous interview. "I had a five-year contract and during the fifth season I thought 'I better start looking around for more work.'"

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And that is precisely what he did. "I wound up getting an offer from Universal to do movies and do my own pictures," he further explained. "And then Andy suddenly said he was going to stay on another two or three years. I hadn't signed but I had said I would and I had focused all my attention in that direction and I don't know, I just went ahead."

The resolution wasn't easy for Don. In fact, it was slightly a troublesome time for him. "It was a tough time for me because I enjoyed the show so much that I hated to leave," he defined. "I never expected it to go on."

The show went on for 3 extra complete seasons lasting from 1965 till 1968. Don made guest appearances in two episodes in Seasons 6 and 7, and one episode in Season 8.

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Which personality did Don Knotts play on 'The Andy Griffith Show'?

Don Knotts performed the very memorable personality of Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. In the role, he portrayed the deputy sheriff within the slow-moving town of Mayberry, NC.

Barney's personality within the display is very by-the-book, egotistical, and a know-it-all, but he is also very insecure with low vainness on the similar time.

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His reason why for leaving the city of Mayberry on the display used to be to sign up for the police drive in Raleigh, N.C. as a substitute. He handiest seemed in a few episodes once more after he left the town.

Don's Emmy awards for his function on the collection include Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role via an Actor or Actress in a Series in 1961, Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role via an Actor in 1962 and 1963, and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy in 1966 and 1967. Quite impressive!

Is Don Kotts alive?

Sadly, Don died on Feb. 24, 2006, from pneumonia. He used to be 81 years outdated on the time of his passing.

Today, his legacy lives on whilst watching old episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Three's Company, and more. May he relaxation in peace.

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