
How did Barney Fife get his name?
According to Andy Griffith, the character of Barney Fife was suggested by Don Knotts himself. At the same time that The Steve Allen Show was ending, Knotts was looking for work. When he saw the episode of The Danny Thomas Show featuring Andy Taylor, he called Griffith suggesting that his sheriff character might reasonably need a deputy.
What does Bob Fife stand for?
Bernard "Barney" P. Milton Oliver Fife is a fictional character in the American television program The Andy Griffith Show, portrayed by comic actor Don Knotts.
Who is Barney Fife on Andy Griffith?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. Bernard "Barney" Fife is a fictional character in the American television program The Andy Griffith Show, portrayed by comic actor Don Knotts. Barney Fife is a deputy sheriff in the slow-paced, sleepy southern community of Mayberry, North Carolina.
Why did Barney Fife leave Mayberry?
Barney becomes a hero in Raleigh when visiting Andy helps him solve a string of robberies. When Don Knotts left the series in 1965 to pursue film roles, the character Barney Fife was said to have left Mayberry to join the police department in Raleigh.

What does it mean to be called a Barney Fife?
Calling a police officer or authority figure "Barney Fife" has become an American slang term for gross ineptitude or overzealousness. A notable example occurred during the Scott Peterson case, in which the defendant's mother referred to the local police captain as "Barney Fife".
What did Barney Fife always say?
Barney: (chanting for good luck) Come, fish, come. Come, fish, come.
What was Barney Fife's middle name on Andy Griffith?
Barney's full name is Bernard Milton Fife, contradicting his middle name being Oliver in "A Plaque for Mayberry" (4/3/1961).
How old was Barney Fife in Andy Griffith?
4. Andy and Barney's characters were approximately 36 years old during this story. 5. Opie's character would be approximately 12 years old during this television season, meaning that Andy's character had Opie when Andy was approximately 22 years old.
What does run up an alley and holler fish mean?
Meaning explained The book “Mayberry 101” gives Greenbaum's explanation: “'You just go up an alley and holler fish' was one of my mother's sayings. It meant 'hush up' and came from the vendors who sold food in the alleys of her Philadelphia childhood.”
How many black people have appeared on The Andy Griffith Show?
Tarkington was also the first credited black actor to appear on The Andy Griffith Show, and the only African American on the show to ever have a speaking part.
What does RFD stand for in Mayberry?
Rural Free DeliveryThe "R.F.D." in the title "Mayberry R.F.D." stands for "Rural Free Delivery", a service by the Post Office to deliver mail to outlying areas in the countryside.
What was Thelma Lou's last name?
Thelma Lou, or Thel by boyfriend Barney Fife, is a character on the American television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)....Thelma LouFull nameThelmaNicknameThelSpouseGerald Whitfield (1965-1966) Barney Fife (1986-?)Significant otherBarney Fife (boyfriend) (1961-1965)8 more rows
What were Don Knotts last words?
While his final words were not recorded, Knott's Daughter, Karen Knotts, recalls having to leave the room to laugh out loud. Long-time friend and co-star Andy Griffith was also at Knott's bedside during his final moments. Griffith gave Knotts words of encouragement, saying “Jess (Don's real name), breathe.
Why was Andy Griffith buried four days after his death?
Griffith was in control of what happened after he died He asked a small group of trusted friends to bury him immediately after his death, as de Visé wrote, “before the paparazzi could storm Roanoke Island to capture his remains on film.
When did Barney from Andy Griffith died?
He is widely known for his role as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, a 1960s sitcom for which he earned five Emmy Awards....Don KnottsBornJesse Donald KnottsJuly 21, 1924 Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.DiedFebruary 24, 2006 (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.7 more rows
Where is Andy Griffith buried?
July 3, 2012Andy Griffith / Date of burial
Who suggested Barney Fife?
According to Andy Griffith, the character of Barney Fife was suggested by Don Knotts himself. At the same time that The Steve Allen Show was ending, Knotts was looking for work. When he saw the episode of The Danny Thomas Show featuring Andy Taylor, he called Griffith suggesting that his sheriff character might reasonably need a deputy. Griffith liked the idea and suggested that he call Executive Producer Sheldon Leonard. Griffith later recalled that Don Knotts ' contribution was the show's saving grace because he was uncomfortable with the original concept to have Andy Taylor being the comic lead. In an interview with The Archive of American Television, Griffith admitted, "The second episode was called 'Manhunt' and I knew by that episode that Don should be the comic and I should play straight for him. That made all the difference."
Where is Barney Fife?
Barney Fife is a deputy sheriff in the slow-paced, sleepy southern community of Mayberry, North Carolina. He appeared in the first five seasons (1960–65) as a main character, and, after leaving the show towards the end of season five, made a few guest appearances in the following three color seasons (1965–68).
Why did Fife leave the Andy Griffith Show?
Fife appeared on The Andy Griffith Show from the show's beginning in 1960 until 1965, when Knotts left the show to pursue a career in feature films. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What is Barney Fife's personality?
Personality. Barney Fife is outwardly smug and self-important, covering up his insecurities and low self-confidence with a display of bravado. He presents himself as an expert on such diverse subjects as firearms, martial arts, women, singing, wilderness survival, psychology and American history.
What is Barney's middle name?
In the episode "Class Reunion", Barney's middle name is Milton, though at other times he is called "Bernard P. Fife". In another episode, where he believes he is the descendant of Nathan Tibbs, a Mayberry Revolutionary hero, he says his name is "Barney Tibbs Fife". Andy jokingly says, "I thought your middle name was Oliver.".
Who is the acting sheriff in Return to Mayberry?
In Return to Mayberry, Barney finally holds the position of "acting sheriff" of Mayberry and runs for the office proper; but, at the end, encourages the town to vote for Andy who has returned to Mayberry. Andy comes to the rescue when Barney gets his gun stuck on his finger.
Is there a Barney Fife defense to the Fourth Amendment?
United States regarding evidence exclusion by negligent law enforcement, Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan told the court, "There’s not a Barney Fife defense to the violation of the Fourth Amendment.".

Overview
Character overview
Barney Fife is outwardly smug and self-important, covering up his insecurities and low self-confidence with a display of bravado. He presents himself as an expert on such diverse subjects as firearms, martial arts, women, singing, wilderness survival, psychology and American history. He frequently tries to impress others with his knowledge or skill in areas where his expertise is actu…
Production history
According to Andy Griffith, the character of Barney Fife was suggested by Don Knotts himself. At the same time The Steve Allen Show was ending, Knotts was looking for work. When he saw the episode of The Danny Thomas Show featuring Andy Taylor, he called Griffith suggesting that his sheriff character might reasonably need a deputy. Griffith liked the idea and suggested that he call Executive Producer Sheldon Leonard. Griffith later recalled that Don Knotts' contribution was the …
The Andy Griffith Show appearances
He is featured in these The Andy Griffith Show episodes:
• Episode 1: "The New Housekeeper"
• Episode 2: "The Manhunt"
• Episode 3: "The Guitar Player"
• Episode 4: "Ellie Comes to Town"
Legacy
Calling a police officer or authority figure "Barney Fife" has become an American slang term for gross ineptitude or overzealousness. A notable example occurred during the Scott Peterson case, in which the defendant's mother referred to the local police captain as "Barney Fife".
During oral arguments for the Supreme Court case Herring v. United States regarding evidence exclusion by negligent law enforcement, Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan told the court, "Th…
In popular culture
In the Scream movie franchise, the character Dewey Riley is compared to Barney Fife on multiple occasions.
In the video game series Half-Life Black Mesa security guards were nicknamed "Barneys" after an early character model was said to resemble Don Knotts, and were voiced with a faint Southern accent, similar to the West Virginia-born actor. This later became official in Half-Life: Blue Shift, …
Accolades
Knotts' portrayal of Barney Fife earned him five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, the most in that category.
External links
• Remembering Mayberry
• BarneyFife.com
• The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club