TED KNIGHT

'Ted Knight' (December 7, 1923–August 26, 1986) was an American actor. Ted Knight has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to Television, at 6671 Hollywood Boulevard.

Contents

Early years

Acting career

''The Mary Tyler Moore Show''

''Caddyshack'' and ''Too Close for Comfort''

''Super Friends''

Death

External links

Early years

Born 'Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka' to a Polish American family in Terryville, Connecticut, Knight dropped out of high school to enlist for military service in World War II, where his bravery was accordingly honored five bronze stars. He has the distinction of being the second most decorated American citizen of WWII.
In 1948, he married Dorothy Smith, and eventually had three children, Ted Knight. Jr, Elyse, and Eric.

Acting career

During the postwar years, Knight studied acting in Hartford, Connecticut. He became proficient with puppets and ventriloquism, which led to steady work as a TV kiddie-show host. Knight spent most of the 1950s and 1960s doing commercial voice-overs and essaying minor TV and movie roles (he was the nonspeaking cop who was guarding Norman Bates at the end of Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho'' (1960)). Knight's distinctive speaking voice brought him work as an announcer -- he narrated several animated television series including ''Super Friends'' -- and he appeared frequently in TV shows such as ''Bonanza'', ''Combat!'', ''Get Smart'', ''Twilight Zone'',''The Wild Wild West'', and ''The Love Boat''. (In one ''Love Boat'' episode he guest starred as a rival cruise captain opposite ''Mary Tyler Moore'' co-star Gavin MacLeod.)

''The Mary Tyler Moore Show''

His role as the vain and untalented newscaster Ted Baxter in ''Mary Tyler Moore'' brought Knight widespread recognition, and his greatest success. He received six Emmy Award nominations for the role, winning the Emmy for "Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy", in 1973 and 1976.
Many fans often assumed Knight was like the Ted Baxter character in real life, causing him occasional problems, and great heartache. In 1975, he approached ''Mary Tyler Moore'' Producer David Davis and Director Jay Sandrich in tears asking to be removed from the show due to the often negative effect that this was having on his wife and children. He was, in fact, an intelligent actor who worried that he was trapped in the character, and would be forever typecast. James L. Brooks brought in Georgia Engle and Robbie Rist to develop the character's softer side. To a degree Knight was typecast, although his character on ''Too Close for Comfort'' endeared him to a whole new audience of TV viewers.
Ted Knight was a social conservative who often disagreed with former co-star Ed Asner. While the two were political opposites, they remained friends throughout their association.

''Caddyshack'' and ''Too Close for Comfort''

After ''Mary Tyler Moore'' finished its seven-season run, Knight appeared in the film ''Caddyshack'' (1980), and played the lead role in the series ''Too Close for Comfort'' from 1980-1986.

''Super Friends''

The commanding voice of the Narrator of ''Super Friends'' was provided by Ted Knight during the early hour-long episodes. His signature line was, "Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice..." William Woodson took over once they dropped the original format.

Death

In 1985, he was diagnosed with colon cancer which, despite rigorous treatment, eventually began to spread to his bladder and throughout his lower GI. He died on August 26, 1986 from complications due to surgery to remove a tumor of the urinary tract. He was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His grave marker bears the name ''Theodore C. Konopka''.

External links

★

★ A fan site with many photos, press clippings, and information on his 1976 comedy album 'Hi Guys'

★ Interview with Lydia Cornell by Michael Sutton

★ Interview with Lydia Cornell on the podcast ''The Future And You'' (anecdotes about Ted Knight and ''Too Close For Comfort'')

★ "Find A Grave" webpage featuring a short bio, and photos of his grave marker.

★ Link to the home page of the Ted Knight Memorial 'Gof' Tournament - An Australian golf tournament held annually (now in its 22nd year) in honour of Ted.