Don Knotts's daughter Karen is opening up about why her father infamously left The Andy Griffith Show.
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Speaking with Woman's World, Karen said that her father left the show to pursue better opportunities in his career. He landed a five-picture deal at Universal. Ultimately, Don wanted to be a star and not play second fiddle on a TV show.
"Put yourself in his place. That show was hard, hard work," Karen said. "Then think of the character, and also the energy that it took to play him. Imagine the intensity, plus the level of perfection that was being strived for."
Don Knotts Leaves 'Andy Griffith'
But Don Knotts was also very nervous to give up a sure thing to pursue a movie career.
"He was absolutely terrified, excited, overwhelmed—everything about this movie because it was the one he left The Andy Griffith Show to do," Karen said. "Part of his nervousness is that he didn't have the safety net of The Andy Griffith Show. There, the producers were running the show and Andy was kind of like the kindly headmaster, but none of that was there now. It was him."
Don Knotts's gamble proved to be a success for the actor. "He was stepping out and being his own boss now, and that was scary, but the film's success was a huge deal," she said.
He went on to star in multiple films and later starred on Three's Company as well.
"What was wonderful about the show is that it introduced him to a whole new generation who was discovering him," Karen said. "He just looked at things as one project or another. He never was one to go back and look at stuff from the past. In fact, I don't remember ever seeing him watch The Andy Griffith Show. He loved the show, but he would just look at each new project for what it was and take it for what it was. And dive into that particular project. That's just how he functioned."
