:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(728x329:730x331)/david-ketchum-1961-082225-6efe71b1b2f941ab87b5f7c00f943c38.jpg)
David Ketchum, the comic actor and prolific television writer best known for his indelible portrayal of Agent 13 on the fabled sitcom “Get Smart,” has died at 97. His passing on August 10 in a care facility in Thousand Oaks, California, marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to entertainment, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, warmth, and a unique brand of physical comedy that captivated audiences for decades.
Mr. Ketchum’s career spanned from the golden age of radio to numerous iconic television series, showcasing his versatility not only as an actor but also as a highly respected writer. His ability to seamlessly transition between performing on screen and crafting narratives behind the scenes made him a truly singular figure in Hollywood, contributing to nearly four dozen shows throughout his writing tenure.
While his contributions were wide-ranging, it was his recurring role as the perpetually confined Agent 13 that etched him into the memories of millions, a character who, despite his unglamorous assignments, became one of television’s most enduring comic figures. This article will delve into the multifaceted career of David Ketchum, remembering the man who brought so much wit and charm to the small screen, often from the most unexpected of hiding places.
1. **The Enduring Legacy of Agent 13 on ‘Get Smart’**David Ketchum’s most recognized role was undoubtedly Agent 13, the long-suffering spy from the NBC sitcom “Get Smart.” He joined the cast in the show’s second season (1966-67), quickly becoming central to one of the spy spoof’s great running gags. Agent 13’s assignments for CONTROL, a fictional intelligence agency, frequently forced him into the most absurd and cramped undercover positions imaginable.
Viewers became accustomed to his sweaty head emerging from under a barbershop steam cabinet for towels, or his disgruntled quips from inside mailboxes, grandfather clocks, fire hydrants, and even planters. He was a master of the deadpan delivery, embodying the resentment and exasperation of an agent whose career was defined by physical discomfort and ludicrous hiding spots, always ready with a witty complaint for Agent 86, Maxwell Smart.
His character’s introduction famously began with his head appearing from a steam cabinet, lamenting to Don Adams’s Agent 86, “I’ve grown to hate the spy business, that’s what I’ve learned.” This established the character’s signature blend of absurdity and relatable frustration, a comedic well that the show’s creators, Buck Henry and Mel Brooks, returned to repeatedly.
Indeed, the producers soon realized the comedic potential of his predicament. Mr. Ketchum recalled in a 2002 interview, “Wait a minute, wouldn’t it be funny if he was in a sofa?” He further elaborated on the increasingly outlandish situations, from being inside a sofa with a girl and a drink at a party to being stuffed into an airport locker or an ice machine, noting, “it kept getting more and more ridiculous.” The character became a beloved symbol of the show’s unique blend of satire and slapstick.
2. **Early Life, Unconventional Birth, and Academic Pursuit**David Ketchum’s life began with an anecdote that, in retrospect, presaged his most famous role. Born on February 4, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois, his daughter Nicole Madden shared that he was born in an elevator. This unusual beginning inadvertently mirrored the perpetually cramped lifestyle of Agent 13, a detail that adds a layer of whimsical destiny to his career trajectory.
Despite this early brush with the unconventional, his initial academic pursuits pointed towards a different path. Mr. Ketchum majored in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, a choice that reflected a pragmatic outlook on his future. He expressed, in a 1965 interview, a certain reluctance toward fully committing to show business, stating, “I had already done a lot of performing, but I couldn’t quite resign myself to being in show business. I figured eventually I’d have to work for a living — so I took engineering.”
However, the call of entertainment proved too strong to ignore. While still in school, he joined the United Service Organizations (USO) circuit, traveling the world to entertain soldiers. This early experience helped him cultivate his comedic sensibilities and understand the dynamics of making an audience laugh, as he told The Times of San Mateo in 1965: “I got interested in what made people laugh. I know what makes them laugh in nightclubs, but I wondered just what they laughed at in their homes and under sober circumstances.”
3. **From Radio Host to Early Sitcom Regular**Mr. Ketchum’s journey into the entertainment industry was gradual, beginning in the realm of radio. Following his activation for service in the National Guard, which prevented him from taking a part in the John Wayne-starring “Flying Leathernecks” (1951), he found himself in a public information unit. This unexpected turn offered him the opportunity to host a nightly radio show in San Francisco, marking his professional debut in broadcasting.
He further honed his skills and built a local following by hosting another successful radio program in San Diego for seven years in the 1940s. Demonstrating an early knack for attracting talent, he kicked off his San Diego show by inviting none other than Bob Hope and Doris Day to be his first guests, both of whom accepted. These experiences laid a foundational understanding of audience engagement and comedic timing that would serve him well in his subsequent acting career.
Transitioning to television, Mr. Ketchum made notable appearances on variety shows, including a funny bit about Hollywood on “The Steve Allen Plymouth Show” in 1957, and later becoming a regular on “The New Steve Allen Show” in 1961. His comedic talent also extended to the stage, as he worked alongside Ken Berry, Jackie Joseph, and Jo Anne Worley in the Billy Barnes Revue, which achieved a Broadway run in 1961.
A year later, in 1962, he released a comedy album titled “The Long-Playing Tongue of Dave Ketchum,” which garnered positive attention. Billboard, in its review, praised him as “a new comic with a number of funny ideas. What’s more, he knows how to put ’em across.” His early television acting roles soon followed, including starring as carpenter Mel Warshaw opposite John Astin and Marty Ingels on the 1962-63 ABC sitcom “I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster,” and as Counselor Spiffy on the 1965-66 NBC comedy “Camp Runamuck.” His role on “I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster” was a significant break, connecting him with future “Get Smart” producer Leonard Stern.
4. **The Art of the Cramped Performance**David Ketchum’s portrayal of Agent 13 was not merely about delivering lines, but a masterclass in physical comedy, often under highly challenging conditions. His comedic style, as observed by fellow “Camp Runamuck” actor Dave Madden, was deeply influenced by the legendary Danny Kaye. Madden noted in Robert Pegg’s 2015 book, “Comical Co-Stars of Television,” that “Dave was a naturally funny guy. He more or less idolized Danny Kaye in Danny’s earlier days, and so an awful lot of the physical things he did in terms of takes and things were very Danny Kaye-ish in their style.” This influence translated into expressive, often exaggerated reactions that amplified the absurdity of Agent 13’s predicaments.
The physical demands of the role were considerable, especially for a man of Mr. Ketchum’s stature. At 6-foot-2, he frequently found himself squeezed into spaces never designed for human occupation. He often recounted the difficulties, stating, “The hardest part for me was when they put Agent 13 in a washing machine. I’m 6-foot-2, so I can’t fit easily into cramped places, and a washing machine is about as cramped as it gets.” This particular ordeal involved a specially constructed eight-foot tube to simulate being spun around, with water and soap squirting in his face, making memorizing lines an even greater challenge.
Despite the claustrophobic nature of his assignments, Mr. Ketchum maintained a professional demeanor, though he did admit to a “slight tendency toward motion sickness” in a 1967 interview with The Daily Report of Ontario, Calif. This detail underscores the genuine discomfort he endured for the sake of comedy, illustrating his dedication to the craft. His ability to convey genuine exasperation and humor while confined in such bizarre locations made Agent 13 a truly unique and memorable character in television history, solidifying his place as a comedic talent who would go to great lengths for a laugh.
5. **A Prolific Pen: Forging a Path as a Television Writer**Beyond his memorable performances in front of the camera, David Ketchum cultivated a remarkably prolific career as a television writer. This aspect of his work often took place during the downtime he experienced on set, a testament to his industrious nature. He found that the periods spent waiting for scenes on “Get Smart” to be set up offered him ample opportunity to focus on his writing endeavors.
His first writing credit came with a 1967 episode of Garry Marshall‘s “Hey, Landlord.” This marked the beginning of an extensive and successful career behind the typewriter, where he would contribute to nearly four dozen shows across various genres. His writing credits include some of the most beloved and iconic series in television history, showcasing his versatility and keen understanding of comedic and dramatic storytelling.
He penned multiple installments for other Marshall series like “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley,” demonstrating his ability to craft narratives for hit sitcoms. His work also extended to a wide array of other popular programs, including “Here’s Lucy,” “M*A*S*H,” “Wonder Woman,” “MacGyver,” “Highway to Heaven,” and “Full House.” He continued writing through 1990, leaving an impressive body of work that influenced a generation of television.
His writing repertoire also encompassed shows such as “Captain Nice,” “Love, American Style,” “The Rookies,” “Switch,” “The Love Boat,” “Sledge Hammer!,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and “Who’s Watching the Kids.” This diverse range illustrates his adaptability and skill in tailoring his writing to suit different formats and tones, from espionage spoofs to family comedies and science fiction. His dual career as both a performer and a writer made him a truly multifaceted talent within the entertainment industry.
6. **Guest Star Prowess: A Familiar Face Across Decades**While Agent 13 remained his most indelible character, David Ketchum was a ubiquitous presence on television as a guest star, gracing numerous popular series across several decades. His distinctive comedic timing and amiable demeanor made him a sought-after character actor, allowing him to appear in a wide variety of roles that showcased his range beyond the confined spaces of his most famous part.
His extensive television acting résumé included stints on beloved sitcoms and dramas alike. He appeared on “The Real McCoys,” “The Munsters,” “Good Morning World,” “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” “Mod Squad,” “That Girl,” and “Green Acres.” These appearances often allowed him to display a different facet of his acting ability, proving he was more than just a man stuck in a mailbox.
Later in his career, he continued to be a familiar face on some of the most popular shows of their time. This included roles on “The Odd Couple,” additional appearances on “Happy Days,” and “Alice.” He also played a member of a divorce club that offered attractive vacation rates on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970, and portrayed salesmen selling real estate and petroleum on “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1967.
He reprised his iconic role as Agent 13 in the 1989 telefilm “Get Smart, Again!” and in an episode of a rebooted “Get Smart” in 1995, reminding audiences of his signature character. His career as a guest star demonstrated his enduring appeal and his ability to contribute memorable performances, no matter the size of the role, across the ever-evolving landscape of television.
