I've been a big fan of comedic-genius Don Knotts for as long as I can remember. Like most, my enduring memory of him is in the role of bumbling yet lovable Deputy Barney Fife in the classic The Andy Griffith Show. I was deeply saddened by his death a few months back and purchased his biography entitled Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known.

Don was, as you might have guessed, very humble about his abilities and incredibly insecure as well. One particular passage in the book really stood out to me and I wanted to share it. This story takes place when Don has returned to college after a stint in the army where he performed to great success with professional Broadway and Hollywood entertainers.

"My confidence level was high, but I was about to receive what turned out to be a temporary jolt. Phi Sigma Kappa asked me to represent them in an intra-fraternity talent contest. The show took place in Reynolds Hall where all the plays were performed. The contest was being judged by a committee of professors. I did my new act and I thought it went exceedingly well."

"I was confident that I would win."

"Not only did I not win, I did not win second place, nor even third place. I went home that night in total dejection. Good Lord, I thought, if I can't at least place in a college talent contest, what chance do I have in the professional world? I spent a sleepless night. When I went to my Spanish class the following morning, my professor, Dr. Singer, asked me to speak with him outside. Dr. Singer had been one of the judges. 'Listen,' he said, 'I just want you to know that we ruled you out last night because you are obviously a professional, and we didn't think it was fair for you to compete on an amateur level. Otherwise, of course, you would have walked away with it. I just thought I should tell you that.' I told him I was glad that he told me. He would never know how glad."

How sad it would have been for the world to have missed out on this man's talents. This sort of thing has happened to me a couple of times and I believe happened recently to my daughter as well. Has it happened to you?

How many people have quit their dreams because of this sort of rejection and never knew that they were just too good? Or perhaps that someone felt intimidated by their abilities or were forced to hire someone less talented? The possibilities are endless.

It just goes to show that, particularly in this business, you have to have faith in your abilities no matter what. That's not to say you shouldn't have high standards or keep working to improve, but never put all of your faith in what I like to call "the god of someone else's opinion."

Thanks for sharing this. I found it very touching and have learned something important to keep in mind while pursuing my acting career.