Age and status at death
Don Knotts was 81 years old when he died. He passed away on February 24, 2006, at his home in Los Angeles, California, after complications from pancreatic cancer. Born on July 29, 1924, in Morgantown, West Virginia, he lived to be just over 81 years and about 7 months. The official cause of death was respiratory failure resulting from adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. This evergreen profile explains his age at death, confirms the date and location, and distinguishes verified facts from speculation.
Biographical context and verification
To determine how old Don Knotts was when he died, it is necessary to align his confirmed birth date with the date of death reported by authoritative sources. Reliable outlets and probate records consistently show a birth year of 1924 and a death year of 2006. Cross-referencing these dates yields an age at death of 81. The following table summarizes the key timeline data used for this calculation.
Timeline of key dates
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 29, 1924 | Probate/vital records |
| Date of death | February 24, 2006 | Obituary reports |
| Reported age at death | 81 years | News obituaries |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA | Law enforcement records |
Cause of death and medical context
Understanding how old Don Knotts was when he died also involves looking at the medical cause. He died from respiratory failure due to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. This progression can impact longevity and is consistent with patterns seen in similar diagnoses. His age at diagnosis and treatment duration are less documented in publicly available records, but the terminal outcome is clearly recorded as respiratory failure. The clarity around cause helps confirm why he passed away at this age.
Public reactions and legacy
At the time of his passing, public reaction focused on his legacy as a comedian and actor, notably as Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show and as a key player in later spin-offs. News coverage repeatedly referred to him as being 81, which aligns with the timeline above. This widespread reporting at a consistent age reinforces the reliability of the figure. The sustained interest in his career contributes to the evergreen nature of this status question.
Distinguishing fact from rumor
Online discussions sometimes introduce uncertainty about the exact age or suggest alternate dates. However, primary records, including probate filings and major obituaries, converge on 1924–2006. No credible source supports significantly different birth or death years. For this reason, the status clarification remains straightforward: Don Knotts was 81 at death. Treating unverified claims skeptically is important in maintaining accuracy.
Comparisons and context
Placing his age at death alongside peers can provide additional perspective. The table below compares Don Knotts’ age at death with two contemporaries for reference. These figures are rounded to the nearest whole year and drawn from publicly reported data.
Age at death comparison
| Person | Age at death | Years lived |
|---|---|---|
| Don Knotts | 81 | 81 years |
| Andy Griffith | 86 | 86 years |
| James Garner | 86 | 86 years;td> |
Health context and risk factors
While the question is about how old Don Knotts was, briefly noting relevant health context can clarify why complications arose. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed at later stages and carries a challenging prognosis. Respiratory failure can be a terminal event in advanced cases. These factors help explain the seriousness of the condition and why it ultimately led to death at age 81. Understanding the disease context supports a fuller interpretation of the age figure.
Conclusion and status summary
Don Knotts was 81 years old at the time of his death on February 24, 2006. This status is confirmed by multiple authoritative sources, including obituaries and legal records. The cause was respiratory failure stemming from pancreatic cancer. No credible evidence contradicts this age or timeline. For evergreen clarity, the verified age at death is 81, providing a definitive answer to this enduring biographical question.