Is Jon Cryer Related to Don Knotts? The Truth About the Two Comedy Stars

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Introduction

Jon Cryer and Don Knotts are two actors who have made millions of people laugh with their roles in television and film. Jon Cryer is best known for playing Alan Harper on the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, while Don Knotts is best remembered for portraying Barney Fife on the classic comedy The Andy Griffith Show. But are they related by blood or by marriage? The answer is no. Despite having similar last names and comedic talents, they have no familial connection.

Jon Cryer’s Family Background

Jon Cryer was born in New York City on April 16, 1965, to a show business family. His mother, Gretchen Kiger, is a playwright, songwriter, actress and singer.1 His paternal grandfather, the Rev. Donald W. Cryer, was a prominent Methodist minister.

Jon Cryer achieved his biggest success on television, playing Alan Harper on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men from 2003 to 2015. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. He currently stars in the NBC comedy Extended Family, where he plays a single dad who moves in with his eccentric relatives.

Jon Cryer has been married twice. His first wife was Sarah Trigger, a writer and actress, whom he married in 1999 and divorced in 2004. They have a son, Charlie. His second wife is Lisa Joyner, a journalist and television host, whom he married in 2007.

Don Knotts’ Family Background

Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, on July 21, 1924, to a working-class family. His mother, Elsie Luzetta Knotts, was a homemaker. His father, William Jesse Knotts, was a farmer and a mentally ill man who suffered from schizophrenia and alcoholism.

Don Knotts developed an interest in comedy and ventriloquism at an early age. He served in the United States Army during World War II, where he entertained troops with his act. He then pursued a career in show business, starting as a radio announcer and a comedian. He made his television debut on The Steve Allen Show in 1956, where he created his famous nervous man character. He then joined the cast of The Andy Griffith Show in 1960, playing Barney Fife, the bumbling deputy sheriff of Mayberry. He won five Emmy Awards for his role and became one of the most beloved characters in television history.

Don Knotts starred in several comedy films, such as The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Love God?, and The Apple Dumpling Gang. He also appeared in movies such as The Prize Fighter, Pleasantville, and Chicken Little. He reunited with Andy Griffith on several occasions, such as the TV movie Return to Mayberry and the series Matlock. He also co-starred with Tim Conway on the sitcom The Steve Allen Show and the variety show The Don Knotts Show. He voiced Turkey Lurkey in the animated film Chicken Little in 2005, which was his final film role.

Conclusion

Jon Cryer and Don Knotts are not related, despite having similar last names and careers in comedy. They have different family backgrounds and histories, and they belong to different generations and genres of entertainment. However, they do share a common passion for making people laugh and a talent for creating memorable characters. Jon Cryer and Don Knotts are both icons of their respective fields and eras, and their legacy will live on through their works and fans.

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