Frances Yarborough was the third and last wife of Don Knotts. She lived from 1827 to October 28, 2013. Frances was an administrative secretary for the American government and she also had a very brief career as a movie actress.
Following her marriage with the late TV star Don Knotts, Frances emerged into the limelight and attracted worldwide attention. Don Knotts was the iconic leading man on TV who never took a break from his career as an actor until his death. He also was ranked #27 by the American TV Guide in 1979 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All-Time list
Summary of Frances Yarborough’s Biography
- Full name: Frances Yarborough
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 1927
- Place of Birth: Oconee County, Georgia
- Date of Death: October 28, 2013
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Widowed
- Frances Yarborough’s Husband: Don Knotts (late)
- Frances Yarborough’s Children: Karen Knotts and Thomas Knotts (step-children)
- Frances Yarborough’s Parents: Cecil Yarborough (father) and Emmie Tippets (mother)
- Siblings: Jean Yarborough (sister)
- Famous for: Being the wife of late actor and comedian, Don Knotts
Facts About Frances Yarborough
She is a Native of Georgia
Frances Yarborough was born in the United States of America, specifically, Oconee County, Georgia, in 1927. Frances is Cecil Yarborough’s and Emmie Tippet’s daughter. She spent most of her childhood in Georgia, her birthplace, and from there, she also finished her schooling. She has a sister named Jean Yarborough. Frances was raised as a member of First Baptist Church of Walhalla.
Her Debut Acting Credit Was Also Her Last
She made her only acting appearance in the movie titled The Electric Chair in 1976. Frances appeared as one of the jury members in the movie. It also starred Katherine Cortez as Marilyn Howard, Larry Parks as Rev. Samuel Moss, Nita Patterson as Clair Moss, and Don Cummins as District Attorney Grover.
Frances Yarborough was Don Knotts’s Third Wife
Frances Yarborough’s marriage to Don Knotts garnered huge media attention. The couple tied the knot in 2002 in a private wedding making her Don Knotts’ third wife. After exchanging their vows, Don and Frances were together until his death on the 24th of February, 2006. The actor was aged 81 at the time of his death. They didn’t have any children together.
Before Frances Yarborough married Don, he was previously married two times. He first married Kathryn Metz, in 1947 and got divorced in 1964. The couple had two children, a son, Thomas Knotts, and a daughter, Karen Knotts, an actress. Karen Knotts works as a stand-up comic and is also a SAG/AFTRA actor. She studied at USC School of Cinematic Art. The TV star married his second wife Loralee Czuchna in 1974. Their relationship also ended in divorce after a nine-year marriage.
Frances Yarborough inherited Much of Her Husband’s Estate
At the time of her death, Frances Yarborough’s net worth was believed to be in millions of dollars. She inherited much of her husband’s properties after his death in 2006. Her late husband Don Knotts had a net worth of around $20 million at the time of his death.
The couple owned a house in Glendale. The value of house was $1.295 million, in 2013. Frances passed away on the 28th of October, 2013, at the age of 86. As per sources, she died as a result of natural causes.
About Frances Yarborough’s Husband
Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. Don was conceived after his parents had already raised other sons. His father had a nervous breakdown at the prospect of raising another child. As a result, he eventually had a mental breakdown and became a paranoid schizophrenic and an alcoholic.
Don Knotts is best known for playing the iconic character Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. He won five Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy for playing Barney Fife. He enlisted in the United States Army at age 19. He reported for active duty one week after enlisting and was transferred to active duty status in the United States Army.
Don Knotts served in the United States Army, from June 21, 1943, to January 6, 1946. He was discharged in the rank of Technician Grade 5, which was the equivalent of a Corporal. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with four bronze service stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Badge (with Carbine Bar) and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
Don Knotts often played high-strung and socially inept men with low self-esteem. He was known for using a wide-eyed stare and a high-pitched voice to express shock or frustration. It was especially his stare that made him as famous as he was. He managed to use his facial expressions to describe his feelings without even saying a word. One of Don Knotts’ last award show appearances was the 2nd annual TV Land Awards in 2004.
