He is best remembered for his role as Barney Fife on the American television show The Andy Griffith Show. He won five Emmy Awards for his work as as Barney Fife. Don Knotts starred in a series of films in the 1960s; The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) , The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) and The Love God ? (1969).
In the 1970s, Knotts and Tim Conway starred together in a series of slapstick movies.
Don returned to television in the 1980s, appearing as Ralph Furley on Three's Company and had an small role on Matlock starring his old friend Andy Griffith. He also appeared with Griffith in the 1986 made for television movie Return to Mayberry where he once again played Barney Fife.