Título: Don Knotts
Seção: Early career
Background: Jesse Donald Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, the youngest of four sons born to farmer William Jesse Knotts and his wife, Elsie Luzetta Knotts (nee Moore). His parents were married in Spraggs, Pennsylvania. His English paternal ancestors immigrated to America in the 17th century, originally settling in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. Knotts' brothers were named Willis, William, and Ralph.

Conteúdo: Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions. 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. After his college freshman year, Knotts joined the United States Army and spent most of his service entertaining troops. He toured the Pacific Islands as a comedian as part of a G.I. variety show called Stars and Gripes.  His ventriloquist act included a dummy named Danny "Hooch" Matador. In a TV Guide interview in the 1970s, he said that he had grown tired of playing straight man for a hunk of wood when he was in the Army. According to Knotts, he tossed the dummy overboard off a ship in the South Pacific. He swore that he could hear the dummy calling for help as the ship sailed on, leaving him bobbing helplessly in the waves.  Knotts served in the United States Army from June 21, 1943 to January 6, 1946. Discharged in the rank of Technician Grade 5, which was the equivalent of a Corporal. During his military service, Knotts was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with 4 bronze service stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Badge (with a Carbine BAR) and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.  Knotts returned to West Virginia University after being demobilized and graduated in 1948. He married and moved back to New York, w

user: What did he try first

assistant: Before he entered high school, Knotts began performing as a ventriloquist and comedian at various church and school functions.

user: What did this lead him to do

assistant: 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.

user: What did he do after college

assistant: After his college freshman year, Knotts joined the United States Army

user: What did he do for the army

assistant: spent most of his service entertaining troops. He toured the Pacific Islands as a comedian as part of a G.I. variety show

user: What was this group called

assistant: Stars and Gripes.

user: What did he do for the act

assistant: His ventriloquist act included a dummy named Danny "Hooch" Matador.

user: What did he say about this dummy

assistant: he said that he had grown tired of playing straight man for a hunk of wood when he was in the Army.

user: What did he say about this

assistant: He swore that he could hear the dummy calling for help as the ship sailed on, leaving him bobbing helplessly in the waves.

user: What did this do for him

assistant: Knotts served in the United States Army from June 21, 1943 to January 6, 1946.