Frances Yarborough: The Pillar of Strength in Don Knotts' World

Frances Yarborough is best recognized for marrying Don Knotts, a famous actor and comedian. Knotts, who passed away, won five Emmys and was best known for playing Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" in the 1960s. 

Francey Yarborough Family Background

Frances Yarborough was born in the 1960s. She is the daughter of Donald Howard Yarborough and Charity O’Connell Yarborough. 

Yarborough's father, Donald Howard Yarborough, was a prominent Texas Democrat, known for his gubernatorial campaign in 1962 and his support for John F. Kennedy. He also had a notable military background, serving as a Marine Corps company commander in China towards the end of World War II. 

Donald passed away in September 2009 from Parkinson's disease. Professionally, he was a lawyer dedicated to defending the rights of Mexican immigrants and African Americans, and he ran his law firm.  

Donald was born in New Orleans on December 15, 1925. His father, Frances' grandfather, was a bank president, but the bank failed during the Great Depression. The family relocated to Houston when Donald was 12 years old. 

Frances Yarborough's Siblings

Frances Yarborough has a sister named Sophie Yarborough. Through Sophie, Frances is the sister-in-law of Daniel de Visé, a seasoned journalist and author who worked for notable publications like The Washington Post and the Miami Herald over a 23-year career. de Visé is also known for writing the biography of Frances' late husband.

In addition, Yarborough has several half-siblings from her father's other relationships. These include Inez Vanderburg from Austin, Texas, Leverett Yarborough from Bend, Oregon, Danny Yarborough from Los Angeles, Donald Arthur Yarborough, and Mollie O’Connell Yarborough. 

How Rich is Francey Yarborough?

Frances Yarborough's net worth is unknown. Her primary occupation remains private, but according to IMDb, she has a film credit to her name. Yarborough appeared in the 1976 crime drama titled "The Electric Chair."

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Additionally, Yarborough once took on the role of a 1960s hippie and aspiring actress in one of the plays featuring her husband, Don Knotts. 

Frances Yarborough Was Married to Don Knotts

Frances Yarborough and her husband Don Knotts got married in 2002. Their meeting story goes back to when Don's comedy show, "What a Country!," ended suddenly. Yarborough was working as a production assistant on that show from early 1987, which is when she and Knotts first met. 

In his book "Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show," Knotts referred to Francey as a "beautiful, kind-hearted actress" who had moved to Hollywood with aspirations in improvisational comedy. At that time, one of her key responsibilities was helping Don learn his lines, which eventually led to their future together.

Frances Yarborough And Don Knotts Has 30 Years Age Gap

When Francey Yarborough and Don Knotts first met, there was a significant age gap between them - over 30 years. Yarborough was in her twenties, while Knotts, known for his role in "The Andy Griffith Show," was in his sixties. 

As described in the book "Andy and Don," they connected deeply despite their age difference. Yarborough remembered their early interactions fondly, saying, "We had an instant rapport." She talked about their similar experiences, saying, "I was living kind of a goofy life, and so was he. We would just talk and talk. He loved hearing stories about my family, and I enjoyed hearing about his. He was intrigued by the nuances of people." 

Frances, who was then a production assistant, also shared her initial impression of Don: "My first reaction to him was that he was so vulnerable. I’d never met someone so vulnerable." 

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Their bond quickly grew as they spent time together at La Scala in Beverly Hills, sharing stories and laughter. Within a few months, they became a couple, and Frances moved into Don's condo in Century City. They married in 2002 and stayed together until Knotts died in 2006. 

Before meeting Frances, Don had a challenging lifestyle. He often stayed up late, drank excessively, smoked heavily, and relied on pills to sleep. However, his habits changed dramatically after meeting Francey. She recalled a moment when he heard himself wheeze, dropped his cigarette, and never smoked again.

Don Knotts Past Affairs

Before marrying Frances Yarborough, Don Knotts had been married twice. His first marriage was to Kathryn Metz in 1947. The couple had two children, Thomas and Karen Knotts, but their marriage ended in 1964. 

Knotts then married Loralee Czuchna in 1974, and they stayed together until 1983. After his marriage with Czuchna ended, the Morgantown-born actor eventually married Frances. 

Frances Yarborough's Husband's Death

Frances Yarborough's spouse Don Knotts had made it clear in his will that he did not want to be kept alive by machines. So, when the time came, doctors turned off his life support. Knotts passed away on the evening of February 24, 2006, with his wife Frances, and his children, Karen and Tom, by his side.  

The main cause of his death was problems related to pneumonia, which were connected to his lung cancer. His funeral was held at Westwood Memorial Park, where he was laid to rest near famous stars like Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Truman Capote.  

Frances mentioned that Don had a special talent for seeing the deeper meaning in people's struggles and joys. He had a way of making it both funny and heartwarming. This thought was included in a tribute to him.  

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