Barney Fife – The Character!

Barney Fife is a fictional character played by the great Don Knotts in the TV series The Andy Griffith Show.

Please leave your comments in the “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page

Don Knotts won three consecutive Emmy Awards for his hilarious portrayal of the lovable deputy.

Barney Fife and Andy Griffith

The producers of The Andy Griffith Show were not the only ones impressed with Don’s amazing talent.

Andy Griffith himself insisted that Barney got most of the good lines written in the show!

From that era to the day Don died, the two remained close friends. Andy was even with Don during his last hours. Amazing!

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts shortly before Don’s Death in 2006

---

The End of The Andy Griffith Show

The Andy Griffith Show was supposed to end in 1965, but after a lot of talks, the network persuaded Andy to keep it going.

Don Knotts, however, decided to focus on his film career and didn’t stay for the negotiations.

The show ran for three more years without Barney, although Don did appear in a cameo during the episode “The Return of Barney Fife.”

The characters of Andy and Barney did appear together again 1986 in the TV movie “Return to Mayberry“.

As a result of this reunion, the program became the top rated show of that year!

Here are some classic quotes that showcase Barney’s memorable personality and approach to life in the small town of Mayberry:

Classic Barney Fife Quotes

1. “Nip it in the bud!”

• Barney’s solution to handling problems before they get too big: deal with things early, or as he says, “nip it in the bud!”

1. “Andy, you’ve got to understand something. This is a desperate character we’re dealing with here!”

• Barney often overreacts to minor situations, treating every petty crime as though it’s a major crisis.

1. “Now here at The Rock, we have two basic rules. Memorize them so you can say them in your sleep. Rule Number One: Obey all rules. Rule Number Two: No writing on the walls.”

• His instructions to a new inmate in Mayberry’s jail, reflecting his love of rules.

1. “I’m in charge here, Andy. I’m in charge!”

• Barney frequently feels the need to assert his authority, often at the most unnecessary times.

1. “Well, I guess to sum it up, you’re dealing with a man who’s generally misunderstood.”

• A bit of Barney’s self-reflection, trying to explain his unique behavior to others.

1. “You beat everything, you know that?”

• Barney’s go-to phrase when he’s exasperated, usually directed at Andy after a prank or disagreement.

1. “There’s only one bullet, and I’ve got it in my shirt pocket.”

• Due to his nervous tendencies, Andy only allows Barney to carry one bullet, which he has to keep in his pocket.

1. “A man’s entitled to his opinion, and I’m entitled to my opinion.”

• Barney defending his stance in one of his many passionate, if not misguided, debates.

1. “If only you’d think a little more about your friends and neighbors and a little less about yourself, there’d be a lot less trouble!”

• A heartfelt (and somewhat ironic) statement from Barney about community spirit and selflessness.

1. “The last big buy at the gas station there in Mount Pilot said it’s a good one.”
   • Barney often tries to back up his opinions or decisions with questionable sources and reasoning.
2. “Now, men, here at the Rock, we have a few rules. And one of them is: Obey all rules.”
   • Another example of his strict adherence to (and confusion about) rules.
3. “My whole body’s a weapon!”
   • Barney, who was neither intimidating nor physically imposing, often acted as if he was a formidable lawman.
4. “Don’t look at me with those innocent eyes!”
   • Barney’s go-to line when he suspects someone of mischief, usually a character who is actually innocent.
5. “We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill, pot-smoking juvenile delinquent.”
   • Barney had a dramatic flair, making every incident seem like a major crime wave.
6. “You’ve got to study and prepare for being a deputy, you can’t just wake up one morning and say, ‘Shazam, I’m a deputy!’”
   • Barney takes his role seriously, even if his methods are often unorthodox.
7. “Boy, giraffes are selfish.”
   • A random but funny observation from Barney that left everyone in Mayberry scratching their heads.
8. “A man ought to never be caught without a pen. Here, take one of mine.”
   • Barney always tried to act prepared and professional, even for the smallest matters.
9. “I have a jaw like a doorknob!”
   • His unique way of bragging about his supposed physical prowess.
10. “Well, it’s a known fact that if you got a weak back, you got to watch your front!”
    • Barney’s attempt at wisdom, often coming out a bit mixed up.
11. “I’m warning you, Andy. If you’re not careful, I’m going to have to take your badge.”
    • Though he’s only the deputy, Barney sometimes forgets his own rank and tries to act as the sheriff himself.

Barney’s quotes capture the innocence and humor of small-town life, often exaggerated by his over-the-top personality.

Whether he’s trying to enforce Mayberry’s laws with exaggerated seriousness or making grand statements on trivial issues, Barney’s character remains iconic for his quirky charm and unintentional wisdom.