Legendary comedic actor Don Knotts, best known for his role as Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, has passed away at age 81. Knotts died of lung cancer at a Beverly Hills, Calif., hospital Friday.

Knotts remained professionally active in the last years of his life despite health problems, contributing to “Max Lucado's Hermie & Friends” video series for the last three years as the voice of Hermie's best friend, Wormie. He also recently lent his voice to the character of Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Disney's animated family film Chicken Little, which released in November 2005.

“Don made a wonderful contribution as the voice of Wormie, bringing a quality of wholesomeness to the videos,” said Max Lucado, the “Hermie” series creator. “His voice will be sorely missed, and his memory will be treasured by all.”

Knotts can currently be heard in the role of Wormie in all six “Hermie & Friends” videos. Knotts' voiceover had been previously recorded for the seventh video, To Share or Nut to Share, due to release this fall.

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