Don Knotts’ Daughter Reveals Why He Left ‘The Andy Griffith Show’

Don Knotts‘ daughter, Karen Knotts, revealed why he left The Andy Griffith Show after five seasons.

During an interview with Woman’s World published on Monday, July 27, Karen, 72, opened up about her late father. Don — who played Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife before exiting at the end of Season 5 — died at 81 in 2006, following a battle with lung cancer.

“We didn’t see him a lot, because he worked 10, 12 hours a day,” Karen admitted. “And when he was home, he was always holed up in his room working on his lines and stuff like that.”

When Andy Griffith and Don signed on for The Andy Griffith Show, they only agreed to five seasons. Griffith ultimately decided to stay until the series ended. However, Don exited as a regular cast member, as planned, opting instead for guest appearances on the show and its spinoff Mayberry R.F.D.

“Put yourself in his place. That show was hard, hard work,” Karen pointed out. “Then think of the character, and also the energy that it took to play him. Imagine the intensity, plus the level of perfection that was being strived for.”

The main reason Don left The Andy Griffith Show, however, was a five-film deal at Universal. It allowed him to “be a star in [his]own right and make all the decisions,” she explained.

Of the 1966 movie The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Karen admitted that her dad was “absolutely terrified, excited, overwhelmed,” because “it was the one he left The Andy Griffith Show to do.” She described him as “extremely nervous, pacing around the house,” and having been “completely consumed” by the film.

The Andy Griffith Show aired for eight seasons from 1960 to 1968. In addition to Don and Griffith, the sitcom starred Ron Howard, Frances Bavier, Colin Male, George Lindsey, Howard McNear, Tom Jacobs, and Aneta Corsaut, among others.

The Andy Griffith Show, streaming on Paramount+, FRNDLY TV, Philo, Pluto TV, and Xumo Play