All About Ted Knight

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Ted Knight with the cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. November 21, 1975.

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Blog Created: 12-12-2025

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Ted Knight (born Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka; December 7, 1923 – August 26, 1986) was an American actor known for playing the comic roles of Ted Baxter in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Henry Rush in Too Close for Comfort and Judge Elihu Smails in Caddyshack.

Early life ~

Knight was born in the Terryville section of Plymouth in Litchfield County, Connecticut to Polish-American parents Sophia (née Kavaleski) and Charles Walter Konopka, a bartender. He withdrew from high school to enlist in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of Company A, 296th Combat Engineer Battalion, earning five campaign stars while serving in the European Theater of Operations.

Career

Early roles ~

During the postwar years, Knight studied acting in Hartford, Connecticut. He became proficient with puppets and ventriloquism, which led to steady work as a television children's show host at WJAR-TV in Providence, Rhode Island from 1950 to 1955. In 1955, he left Providence for Albany, New York, where he landed a job at station WROW-TV (now WTEN), hosting The Early Show, featuring MGM movies, and a children's variety show, playing a Gabby Hayes-type character named "Windy Knight". He was also a radio announcer for sister station WROW radio and briefly for WFNS in Burlington, North Carolina. He left the station in 1957 after receiving advice from station manager (and future Capital Cities chairman) Thomas Murphy that he should take his talents to Hollywood.

Ted on one of his early ventures.

Knight spent most of the 1950s and 1960s creating commercial voiceovers and playing minor television and film roles. In 1959 he played a part in the western TV show The Lawman in the episode “The Ugly Man”. He had a small part playing a police officer guarding the room where Norman Bates sat wrapped in a blanket at the end of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960). He played Phil Buckley on the ABC soap opera The Young Marrieds in the early 1960s.

Ted as a policeman in the 1960 film, Psycho.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ~

Knight's role as the vain and untalented WJM newscaster Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show brought 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.

Post-MTM appearances ~

In 1975, Knight recorded an album of mostly novelty songs, Hi Guys, on the Ranwood label.

Ted's record album.

Knight guest-starred in "Mr. Dennis Steps Out", the October 26, 1977, episode of the situation comedy Busting Loose, as Roger Dennis, the owner of an escort service in New York City. This appearance launched a new show, The Ted Knight Show, Knight's first starring role. The Ted Knight Show lasted for only six episodes in the spring of 1978.

Knight appeared in several episodes of The Love Boat, including one episode as a rival cruise captain.

Knight's final film role was in the 1980 golf comedy Caddyshack, in which he played Judge Elihu Smails, a foil for Rodney Dangerfield's character.

Rodney Dangerfield with Ted Knight on the set of Caddyshack.

Too Close for Comfort ~

Knight was cast in the lead role as the curmudgeonly cartoonist Henry Rush in the series Too Close for Comfort in 1980.

Personal life ~

In 1948, Knight married Dorothy Smith and the couple had three children: Ted Jr., Elyse and Eric.

Ted with wife, Dorothy.

In January 1985, Knight was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television industry. It is located at 6673 Hollywood Boulevard.

Death ~

A few months after the end of the Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1977, Knight was diagnosed with colon cancer, for which he received treatment. In 1985, the cancer returned and spread to his bladder and gastrointestinal tract.

Knight experienced complications from the surgery and was advised to not resume work on Too Close for Comfort until he recovered. His condition worsened and he died on August 26, 1986, at age 62.

Knight was interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His grave marker bears the name Theodore C. Konopka and the words "Bye Guy", a reference to his Ted Baxter catchphrase "Hi, guys!"

His hometown of Terryville, Connecticut dedicated a bridge on Canal Street over the Pequabuck River in his memory. There is a bronze plaque bearing his likeness on the bridge.

Bridge plaque.

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1980: Ted Knight at home during the making of the ABC tv series 'Too Close For Comfort'. (Photo by Denis Plehn /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter) appearing on the CBS television network series, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," in 1975. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

Actor Ted Knight; in Toronto for luncheon address; holds photo of him and Mary Tyler Moore; in whose show he portrays bumbling telecaster. In Toronto visit he displayed no hint of his real personality. (Photo by Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images).

Ted in 1985.

Ted Knight circa 1980 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Platzer-IMAGES-Getty Images).

Ted Knight wearing a checked jacket carrying his hat and coat_ circa 1970_ New York. (Photo by Art Zelin-Getty Images).

Ted Knight and wife Dorothy Circa 1980's (Photo by Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty Images).

Dorothy, Ted, and Ted Jr.

Ted and family 1978.

Ted at home in his library.

LA home of late actor Ted Knight is asking $1.19 million ~

By Jennifer Gould, Published Oct. 12, 2023, 5:36 p.m. ET New York Post

This mid-century California home once owned by the late actor Ted Knight — who played vain anchorman Ted Baxter on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and Judge Elihu Smails in “Caddyshack” — has hit the market for $1.19 million.

The remodeled Los Angeles abode at 19811 Friar St. in the San Fernando Valley’s Woodland Hills area — separated from the heart of LA by the Santa Monica mountains — was designed by architect William Krisel.

Known as the architect who helped define California modernism, Krisel and his partner Dan Palmer designed more than 30,000 homes throughout Southern California, Krisel also designed the home where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in Palm Springs.

Known as the House of Tomorrow, that gem of a residence, which is 4,700 square feet, sold for its full ask of $5.65 million last year.

The Woodland Hills home — in an area known as Corbin Palms, filled with modern, glass-walled homes that Krisel and Palmer also designed — is 1,770 square feet, and comes with four bedrooms and three baths.

Built in 1954, it features original vaulted ceilings. The backyard landscaping includes mature orange trees by the pool.

The listing broker is Gina Isaac of Nourmand & Associates.

Actor Ted Knight and actress Nancy Dussault attend the Seventh Annual People's Choice Awards on March 5, 1981 at Desilu TV Studios in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

Ted Knight, of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" on TV; and Walter Matthau, both members of the "Stars" baseball team which played the Los Angeles "Media" team in their annual game at Dodger Stadium are shown posed with beauties between innings of the game.

It's like old times as actor Ted Knight, who played the role of Ted Baxter, wacky television anchorman on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, is hugged by his television cohort, Mary Tyler Moore during a celebrity luncheon in honor of Knight. He was "roasted" by numerous local television newsmen who were on hand to honor his role in the show which went off the air late last year.

33rd Annual Tony Awards. June 3, 1979. Ted with Betty White.

Actor Ed Asner and Ted Knight attend Television Academy Hall of Fame Awards on March 23, 1986 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

Ted Knight, Milton Berle, Mary Tyler Moore and Gavin MacLeod (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

Bea Arthur and Ted Knight (Photo by Ron Galella-Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

Betty White and Ted Knight at the 33rd Annual Tony Awards. (Photo by Ron Galella-Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman and Gavin MacLoed, 1986 TV Academy Hall of Fame Awards. (Photo by Ron Galella.)

Ted Knight in a checked jacket Danny Thomas in the background_ circa 1970_ New York. (Photo by Art Zelin-Getty Images).

Ted with Bea Arthur.

Hollywood - Ted Knight gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. January 1985.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: (L-R) Actors Ted Knight, Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper and director Jay Sandrich holding their Emmy Awards in the press room at The 25th Primetime Emmy Awards on May 20, 1973 at Shubert Theatre, Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: (L-R) Valerie Harper and Ted Knight holding their Emmy Awards in the press room at The 25th Primetime Emmy Awards on May 20, 1973 at Shubert Theatre, Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17: (L-R) Edward Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight holding their Emmy Awards in the press room at the 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on May 17, 1976 at The Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles, California (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17: Ted Knight accepting Emmy Award at the 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on May 17, 1976 at The Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles, California (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 8: Ted Knight attends 20th Annual Publicists Guild of America Awards on April 8, 1983 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images).

(Original Caption) Mary Tyler Moore and her weekly comedy series won five Emmy's at the 28th Annual Television Academy Awards May 17 to top all other shows for the 1975-76 season. Show regulars (left to right) Edward Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight. All won their Emmy's for their roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show except Asner, who won his for his performance in Rich Man, Poor Man.

LOS ANGELES - MAY 21: Pictured is Ted Knight (Ted Baxter from television's The Mary Tyler Moore Show) is awarded Television Father of the Year, by the National Father's Day Committee. At its 40th Annual Awards Luncheon and celebration. At the Americana Hotel, New York, NY. May 21, 1975. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - MAY 21: Pictured frum left is unidentified woman, Theodore M. Kaufman, Chairman of the National Father's Day Committee and Ted Knight (Ted Baxter from television's The Mary Tyler Moore Show) being awarded Television Father of the Year, by the National Father's Day Committee. At its 40th Annual Awards Luncheon and celebration. At the Americana Hotel, New York, NY. May 21, 1975. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

Guest, Cloris Leachman, Ted Knight and Mary Tyler Moore at the International Broadcasting Awards. 3-19-1974.

1973: (L-R) Jack Paar, Ted Knight, Godfrey Cambridge, Peggy Cass appearing on the Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images tv series 'Jack Paar Tonite'. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

Los Angeles, CA - 1980: (L-R) Ted Knight, Olivia Newton-John appearing in the ABC tv special 'Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 16: Pictured from left is Ted Knight and Cher on her solo music and variety show, CHER. Premiere episode aired February 16, 1975. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

FEBRUARY 1968: Walter Larson (Ted Knight) is a space information officer during a moonshot in a scene from the movie "Countdown" which was released in February 1968. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images).

Hal Linden Heather Locklear Ted Knight in a TV special. 1985.

Ted Knight & John Dehner in The Lonely. Episode 7.

Ted Knight in Bonanza as Mayor Amos Garrett. Season 7, Episode 20 - Peace Officer. Aired Feb. 6, 1966.

American actors (back row left to right) Valerie Harper, as Rhoda Morgenstern, Ed Asner, as Lou Grant, Cloris Leachman, as Phyllis Lindstrom, (front row, left to right) Gavin McLeod, as Murray Slaughter, Mary Tyler Moore, as Mary Richards, and Ted Knight (1923 - 1986), as Ted Baxter, pose in a group publicity photo for the CBS situation comedy 'Mary Tyler Moore,' California, 1972. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

American actor Ted Knight (1923 - 1986), as Ted Baxter, looks at colleague Mary Tyler Moore, as Mary Richards, as he points to a newspaper headline which reads 'Ted Baxter Wins Three Emmies' on the set of the CBS situation comedy 'Mary Tyler Moore,' Studio City, Los Angeles, California, 1974. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

American actress Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards) sits at her desk as Betty White (as Sue Ann Nivens) (center, in green) talks to her and Gavin MacLeod (as Murray Slaughter) (right, sitting) listens in a scene from 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (also known as 'Mary Tyler Moore'), Los Angeles, California, mid 1970s. Fellow actors Ted Knight (1923 - 1986) (as Ted Baxter) and Georgia Engel (as Georgette Franklin Baxter) stand behind them. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

American actress Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards) sleeps on a desk in a scene from the 'Mary's Insomnia' episode of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (also known as 'Mary Tyler Moore'), Los Angeles, California, September 17, 1976. Gathered around her are, fron left, fellow actors Ed Asner (as Lou Grant, on whose desk Mary sleeps), Gavin MacLeod (as Murray Slaughter), and Ted Knight (1923 - 1986) (as Ted Baxter). The episode originally aired on December 4, 1976 (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

Left to right: Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight and Mary Tyler Moore all stare at something off camera in a scene from an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Newsroom boss Lou Grant (Edward Asner, left), newscaster Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) and Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) anxiously peruse a newspaper review of a little theatre play in which they appear, on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Saturday, June 5 (9:30-10:00 p.m., EDT) on the CBS Television Network. (Rebroadcast).

American actress Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards) and actor Ted Knight (1923 - 1986) (as Ted Baxter) hold up a chimp during the episode 'Love Blooms at Hempel's' on the set of the CBS situation comedy 'Mary Tyler Moore,' Studio City, Los Angeles, California, November 10, 1973. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 18: 'Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite,' starring (from left) Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Knight and Walter Cronkite in the CBS television network series "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" on January 18, 1974. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

American broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite (second left) shakes hands with American actor Ted Knight (1926 - 1986) (second right) during the 'Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite' episode of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (also known as 'Mary Tyler Moore'), Los Angeles, California, January 18, 1974. The pair are watched by fellow actors Ed Asner (left), Mary Tyler Moore, and Gavin MacLeod. Cronkite appeared as himself in the episode which originally aired on February 9, 1974. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 8: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. (from left) Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards), Georgia Engel (as Georgette Franklin Baxter), Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter), Gavin MacLeod (as Murray Slaughter) in the episode, Teds Wedding. Air date November 8, 1975 (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 8: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. (from left) Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards), Georgia Engel (as Georgette Franklin Baxter), Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter), Ed Asner (as Lout Grant) and John Ritter (as Reverend Chatfield) in the episode, Teds Wedding. Air date November 8, 1975 (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 1: Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter) and Georgia Engel (as Georgette Franklin Baxter) appear on the CBS television network series, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," in 1974. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

The wedding of Ted and Georgette, 1975.

LOS ANGELES - JUNE 20: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW . Episode: 'Mary Moves Out' featuring from left: Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter), Georgia Engel (as Georgette Franklin), Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards), Betty White (as Sue Ann Nivens), Ed Asner (as Lou Grant) and Gavin MacLeod (as Murray Slaughter). Neg dated June 20, 1975. Episode aired September 20, 1975. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 19: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. At far left is James L. Brooks (with glasses and beard). In center from left is Allan Burns, Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Knight and Grant Tinker in an off screen moment of the last episode. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 6: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. Featuring (from left): Pricilla Morrill (as Edie Grant), Edward Asner (as Lou Grant), and Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter). Episode titled, The Lou and Edie Story. Air date October 6, 1973. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

1986 Television Academy Hall of Fame Awards.

From L-R Ed Asner, Georgia Engel, Ted Knight and Mary Tyler Moore from The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1976).

Ted and friends prepare for his wedding in Mary's kitchen, 1975.

Ted Knight and Georgia Engel on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Ted Baxter reading the news.

Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Cassidy and Ted Knight.

The two Teds.

Ted Knight as Ted Baxter.

American actors (second left to right) Betty White, as Sue Ann Nivens, Gavin McLeod, as Murray Slaughter, Ed Asner, as Lou Grant, Georgia Engel, as Georgette Franklin Baxter, Mary Tyler Moore, as Mary Richards, and Ted Knight (1923 - 1986), as Ted Baxter, embrace one another beyond an unidentified crewmember with a slate on the set of the CBS situation comedy 'Mary Tyler Moore' during the filming of the final episode, 'Last Show,' Studio City, Los Angeles, California, March 19, 1977. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images).

L to R Character Names_ Sue Ann Nivens, Murray Slaughter, Lou Grant, Georgette and Ted Baxter, Mary Richards.

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 19: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards) and Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter). Episode, The Last Show. Air date March 19, 1977. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 19: THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. From Left: Betty White (as Mary Richards), Gavin MacLeod (as Murray Slaughter), Ed Asner (as Lou Grant), Mary Tyler Moore (as Mary Richards), and Ted Knight (as Ted Baxter) from the final episode of MARY TYLER MOORE. Episode titled, The Last Show. Air date March 19, 1977. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

From left, American producer Jon Peters and actors Chevy Chase, Ted Knight (1923 - 1986), and Rodney Dangerfield (1921 - 2004) sit on each other's chairs on the set of their film 'Caddyshack' (directed by Harold Ramis), 1980. (Photo by Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images).

Ted Knight with Chevy Chase.

Ted Knight and Cindy Morgan from Caddyshack.

THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR -- "Celebrity Roast: Kirk Douglas" -- Pictured: (l-r) Host Dean Martin, Ted Knight -- Photo by: Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank.

THE DEAN MARTIN COMEDY HOUR -- "Celebrity Roast: Kirk Douglas" -- Pictured: (l-r) Norm Crosby, host Dean Martin, unknown,Ted Knight -- Photo by: Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank.

Ricky Schroder, Brooke Shields & Ted Knight on Circus TV 1982.

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 2: Circus of the Stars, a CBS television special. The ninth edition, originally broadcast December 2, 1984. Pictured is Ted Knight with an orangutan. Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images).

DONNY AND MARIE - Show Coverage - Airdate: January 30, 1976. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT.

DONNY AND MARIE - Show Coverage - Airdate: January 30, 1976. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: MARIE OSMOND;TED KNIGHT;DONNY OSMOND.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: September 22, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) MARIE OSMOND;TED KNIGHT.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: September 22, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: JOHNNY DARK;TED KNIGHT;DONNY OSMOND.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT; UNKNOWN.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: EXTRAS;JOHNNY DARK;UNKNOWN; TED KNIGHT; MARIE OSMOND; DONNY OSMOND; EXTRAS.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: TED KNIGHT;DONNY OSMOND;EXTRA.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: JOHNNY DARK;MARIE OSMOND;DONNY OSMOND;EXTRA;TED KNIGHT.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: LYNN HALLOWELL;JOHNNY DARK;DONNY OSMOND;EXTRA;TED KNIGHT;MARIE OSMOND.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) LYNN HALLOWELL;TED KNIGHT.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: DONNY OSMOND;MARIE OSMOND;TED KNIGHT.

DONNY AND MARIE - Coverage - Airdate: October 20, 1978. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) L-R: ROBERT CONRAD;TED KNIGHT.

LOVE BOAT - "Japan Cruise:When Worlds Collide/The Captain and the Geisha/The Lottery Winners/The Emperor's Fortune" which aired on November 5, 1983. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;RITA MORENO.

LOVE BOAT - A man organizes a marriage-a-thon cruise, with special prizes to be given to the couples found to be the most compatible, at the same time he cries to save his crumbling marriage. Doc tricks Gopher into taking his place as one of the judges, but comes to regret it when two attractive female judges constantly try to make time with Gopher. The single parents of one of the engaged couples come aboard with hopes of breaking up their kids, who they think are to young to be tying the knot. THe best man is Marv, the young man who befriended Julie when he was best man for another wedding on the Alaska cruise during "The Promoter/The Judges/The Family Plan/Forever Engaged/May the Best Man Win" which aired on November 1, 1980. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;RUE MCCLANAHAN.

LOVE BOAT - A man organizes a marriage-a-thon cruise, with special prizes to be given to the couples found to be the most compatible, at the same time he cries to save his crumbling marriage. Doc tricks Gopher into taking his place as one of the judges, but comes to regret it when two attractive female judges constantly try to make time with Gopher. The single parents of one of the engaged couples come aboard with hopes of breaking up their kids, who they think are to young to be tying the knot. THe best man is Marv, the young man who befriended Julie when he was best man for another wedding on the Alaska cruise during "The Promoter/The Judges/The Family Plan/Forever Engaged/May the Best Man Win" which aired on November 1, 1980. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;RUE MCCLANAHAN.

LOVE BOAT - "Pride of Pacific/Viking's Son/Seperate Vacations/Experiment/Getting to know you" which aired on March 6, 1982. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT.

LOVE BOAT - "Pride of Pacific/Viking's Son/Seperate Vacations/Experiment/Getting to know you" which aired on March 6, 1982. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;GAVIN MACLEOD.

LOVE BOAT - "Pride of Pacific/Viking's Son/Seperate Vacations/Experiment/Getting to know you" which aired on March 6, 1982. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;GAVIN MACLEOD.

LOVE BOAT - "Pride of Pacific/Viking's Son/Seperate Vacations/Experiment/Getting to know you" which aired on March 6, 1982. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) TED KNIGHT;GAVIN MACLEOD.

Los Angeles, CA - 1980: Ted Knight being interviewed on the ABC tv special 'P.I.P.s'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Los Angeles, CA - 1980: Ted Knight being interviewed on the ABC tv special 'P.I.P.'s'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Los Angeles, CA - 1980: Ted Knight, behind the scenes, making of the ABC tv special 'P.I.P.'s'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Unspecified - 1979: (L-R) Pat Boone, Ted Knight, Debby Boone, behind the scenes, making of the ABC tv special 'Pat Boone and Family Easter Special'. (Photo by B Ayres / Dick Hyman /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Unspecified - 1979: Ted Knight appearing in sketch, behind the scenes, making of the ABC tv special 'Pat Boone and Family Easter Special'. (Photo by B Ayres / Dick Hyman /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Unspecified - 1979: (L-R) Pat Boone, Ted Knight appearing in sketch on the ABC tv special 'Pat Boone and Family Easter Special'. (Photo by B Ayres / Dick Hyman /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

Ad from TV Guide 1978.

The Ted Knight Show title screen. Only used for first run episodes_ reruns use the Too Close for Comfort title.

The Ted Knight Show (1978 TV series).

1980: (L-R) Nancy Dussault, Ted Knight promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Too Close For Comfort'. (Photo by Denis Plehn /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

1980: (Clockwise) Nancy Dussault, Lydia Cornell, Ted Knight, Deborah Van Valkenburgh promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Too Close For Comfort'. (Photo by Denis Plehn /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 30: Actor Ted Knight (center) is joined by cast members L-R Jim J. Bullock, Nancy Dussault, Lydia Cornell and Audrey Meadows in blowing out the candles on a cake in celebration of the taping of the 100th episode of "Too Close for Comfort" at Metromedia Television Studios on November 30, 1984 Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joan Adlen/Getty Images).

Los Angeles, CA - 1981: (L-R) Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Lydia Cornell, Ted Knight appearing in the ABC tv series 'Too Close For Comfort'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images).

One of Ted's scripts.

The cast of Too Close for Comfort during the show's second season.

Unspecified - 1975: Ted Knight with dalmatian appearing in the ABC tv series unsold pilot 'Where's the Fire?' (aka 'The Fireman's Ball'). (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

Unspecified - 1975: (L-R) Ted Knight, Johnny Brown appearing in the ABC tv series unsold pilot 'Where's the Fire?' (aka 'The Fireman's Ball'). (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).

1975: (L-R) Fred Grandy, Cliff Gorman, Ted Knight, Johnny Brown, co-star appearing in the ABC tv series unsold pilot 'Where's the Fire?' (aka 'The Fireman's Ball'). (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images).