A Beginning in Ventriloquism
Like some other successful comedians from back in the day, Knotts explored the world of ventriloquism before landing his major acting gigs. Knotts would go on stage and perform his act with the help of a wooden dummy that he called Danny “Hooch” Matador. Danny and Knotts worked together as a comedic duo for several years.
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He did the ventriloquist act up until he ditched the doll during a military show overseas. Knotts decided that ventriloquism wasn’t for him. Sadly for the Danny the doll, that meant throwing Danny overboard into the South Pacific. Knots later joked around about how the doll was “missing in action.” Maybe one day some excavators will find that doll. But the odds are low.