Mayberry Memories of Don Knotts

Barney Fife is one of the most iconic characters in television history. The enormously popular and riotously funny character was conceived, crafted, and portrayed by the extraordinarily talented Don Knotts for the 1960's Andy Griffith Show. Don Knotts became one of the most famous and recognizable faces in America, remaining a phenomenal success for decades.

A former professional actor, Bill Knotts, is now bringing Mayberry Memories of Don Knotts, his one-man cruise ship shows about his famous uncle, to theaters across the country, including Reno Little Theater. While attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1970’s, Bill had the opportunity to live with Don and his wife in Beverly Hills. In this nostalgic and entertaining journey, Bill ushers his audience into a simpler time, back to the idyllic, fictional town of Mayberry. His theater and acting background are on full display as he regales the audience with numerous personal tales and family anecdotes of his time spent with Don over the decades. Sprinkling in family pictures and plenty of video clips of some of the greatest scenes from The Andy Griffith Show, Bill reintroduces the iconic and lovable characters and the actors who made them come to life. He delves into the Knotts family history, Don's early career and how he landed the part of Barney Fife, as well as his movie career with Universal, his memorable partnering with Tim Conway for multiple Disney movies, his return to television on Three's Company and Matlock, and his many stage productions across the country. Bill also recounts stories by Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and Tim Conway at various times in the evening.

In Mayberry Memories, the audience reactions to several early career videos from the 1950’s, before Don was a household name, provide clues of the coming huge career that was still in Don’s future.

Bill has appeared as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man; Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Sir Thomas More in Anne of a Thousand Days and many other theater roles. Numerous commercials, industrial films and live shows and corporate emcee opportunities rounded out his acting resume before he decided to pursue a business and teaching career.

Bill Knotts has been an entrepreneur and teacher most of his adult life. For over two decades he taught leadership principles, self-discipline, and networking skills to business owners throughout the United States. He earned an MBA from Arizona State University and has also taught college courses in investments, entrepreneurship, business communication and labor relations. He taught seminars for several years in various countries while a contractor for a national stock trading firm.