After his college freshman year, Knotts joined the United States Army and spent most of his service entertaining troops. After high school, he traveled to New York City to try to make his way as a comedian, but returned home to attend West Virginia University when his career failed to take off. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and Alpha Psi Omega Honor Society while at WVU.īefore he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. After enlisting in the United States ArmyĪnd serving in World War II, Knotts earned a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in speech from West Virginia University, graduating in 1948. Knotts graduated from Morgantown High School. Knotts is a sixth cousin of Ron Howard, a co-star on The Andy Griffith Show. They are buried in the family plot at Beverly Hills Memorial Park. Her son William preceded her in death in 1941, at age 31. Knotts and his three brothers were then raised by their mother, who ran a boarding house in Morgantown. He died of pneumonia when Knotts was 13 years old. Afflicted with schizophrenia and alcoholism, he sometimes terrorized Knotts with a knife, causing the boy to turn inward at an early age. Knotts's father suffered from mental illness he had a nervous breakdown due to the stress of Knotts's birth. Knotts's mother was 40 at the time of his birth. Knotts's brothers were named Willis, William and Ralph. Knotts's paternal ancestors emigrated from England to America in the 17th century, originally settling in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. Knotts's parents were married in Spraggs, Pennsylvania. Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, the youngest of four sons born to William Jesse Knotts and his wife, Elsie Luzetta Knotts (née Moore).
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