Don Knotts is gone.

The best of the jittery losers, the most rewarded second banana in Emmy history, he was brilliant at the comedy of schadenfreude...we winced for him, we laughed at him, but we liked him....a rare gift...

and as Mr. Furley in 'Three's Company' he proved that funny transcends material...

And he was responsible for two memorable film appearances (and admittedly many lackluster ones) that lent his ability to bring a certain gravitas to what might otherwise be so-so material: 'The Incredible Mr. Limpet' and 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.'

His final memorable appearance: the TV repairman/God-like link to "Pleasantville."

Mr. Knotts, thank you so much for making a kid laugh...and a college kid laugh...and middle aged man laugh...just one of millions in fifty years...