Today, millions of people know Don Knotts for his film career and his work on The Andy Griffith Show. But when the series first began, Knotts was still playing second banana. Knotts wrote about his first recognition for the character he got, an Emmy nomination, in his memoir, Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known. Today, Barney is considered one of the funniest characters in sitcom history, but at the time, Knotts expressed shock that he was even considered for an award.

"A short time after we finished filming the first season's shows, I got the surprise of my life," wrote Knotts. "I was in my backyard painting our fence when I was called to the telephone. I was greeted on the phone with congratulations. I had been nominated for an Emmy for best-supporting actor. I was stunned. This was something that had never crossed my mind. I was even more stunned when I won."

Of course, Knotts accepted the award with grace and even revealed that the win put a little extra spring in the actor's step. "I got an unexpected laugh during my acceptance speech when I said I had nothing to say because I had always been a prepared loser. But it was a good feeling and I must confess that for the first time in my career, I felt like strutting a little bit."

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Who said it: Barney Rubble or Barney Fife?

Of course, Knotts was right to strut. Even though he hadn't expected it, the award was a reward for his hard work and talent. It was also just the beginning of a long, successful career that Knotts was able to enjoy every minute of.

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