David Ketchum, the character actor and prolific television writer best known for his portrayal of Agent 13, the long-suffering spy frequently forced into impossibly tight spaces on the popular 1960s sitcom “Get Smart,” died on Aug. 10 in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He was 97. His death, which occurred at a hospice, was caused by heart failure, according to his daughter Nicole Madden.
Mr. Ketchum’s distinctive contribution to television comedy derived from his ability to embody the exasperated yet resilient Agent 13, a character who became one of the show’s most enduring jokes. Tasked with foiling the plans of the evil cabal Kaos as part of Control, a fictional intelligence agency, Agent 13’s assignments routinely placed him in undignified and cramped locations, from airport lockers to popcorn machines, often eliciting disgruntled quips that resonated with audiences.
His career, however, extended far beyond this singular, memorable role, encompassing significant work as a writer for dozens of hit sitcoms and appearances in numerous other television series and films. This article delves into the early life, pivotal acting roles, and unique comedic genius that defined the first half of David Ketchum’s extensive and impactful presence in American entertainment.
1. **The Iconic Agent 13: A Legacy of Confined Comedy**David Ketchum’s role as Agent 13 on “Get Smart” is arguably his most celebrated and enduring contribution to television. Introduced in the show’s second season in 1966, Agent 13 quickly established himself as a fan favorite due to the ingenious running gag that defined his character: constant confinement in ludicrously small and inconvenient spaces. This recurring bit perfectly complemented the satirical, kitchen-sink comedy style of series creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks.
On assignments for Control, the intelligence agency battling Kaos, Agent 13 was perpetually discovered in absurd hiding spots. These ranged from mailboxes and grandfather clocks to vending machines, trash bins, and even fire hydrants. His initial appearance, emerging sweaty-headed from a barbershop steam cabinet, set the stage for years of unexpected and hilarious reveals.
This unique comedic device cemented Agent 13 as a pivotal element of “Get Smart,” a show that parodied the spy thriller genre and became an immediate success with viewers. Though Mr. Ketchum appeared in only 13 episodes, his character’s omnipresence within the show’s unique comedic landscape ensured a lasting legacy, with fans recalling his unexpected appearances and his characteristic exasperation.
2. **From Electrical Engineering to Entertainment: Ketchum’s Early Path**David Ketchum was born on Feb. 4, 1928, in Quincy, Ill., to Cecil and Flora Ketchum. Remarkably, his birth in an elevator in Quincy, Illinois, seemed to presage the perpetually cramped lifestyle that would later define his most famous character, Agent 13. This unusual detail adds an almost fated quality to his eventual comedic niche.
Despite this early, auspicious start in an enclosed space, Mr. Ketchum initially pursued a different path, majoring in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. He harbored dreams of becoming an electrical engineer, demonstrating a commitment to academic pursuits that stood in contrast to his eventual profession. However, a nascent interest in acting and comedy soon began to redirect his trajectory.
While still in school, Mr. Ketchum joined the United Service Organizations (USO) circuit, traveling the world to entertain soldiers. It was during this period that he discovered his passion for humor. “I got interested in what made people laugh,” he told The Times of San Mateo, Calif., in 1965, observing the varying comedic sensibilities of different audiences and pondering “just what they laughed at in their homes and under sober circumstances.” This curiosity marked his definitive pivot from science to entertainment.
3. **A Voice on the Airwaves: His Flourishing Radio Career**Before making his indelible mark on television, David Ketchum cultivated a successful career in radio, a medium that allowed his wit and charisma to shine. After his experiences with the USO, he dedicated himself more fully to performance, beginning with a public information unit that offered him the chance to host a nightly radio show in San Francisco during his National Guard service.
His radio career truly flourished in San Diego, where he hosted a popular program for seven years in the 1940s. Demonstrating an early knack for attracting talent, his first two guests on the San Diego show were the celebrated entertainers Bob Hope and Doris Day. This early success established his credentials in the entertainment industry and provided him with a valuable platform.
This extensive experience in radio honed his comedic timing and conversational style, skills that would prove invaluable in his later television work. His ability to engage audiences through spoken word laid a solid foundation for his transition into the visual medium of television, where he would achieve widespread recognition.
4. **Early Television Ventures: ‘I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster’ and ‘Camp Runamuck’**Mr. Ketchum’s foray into regular television roles began in the early 1960s, prior to his breakout success on “Get Smart.” He was a regular on the 1962-63 sitcom “I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster,” an ABC series that starred John Astin and Marty Ingels as carpenters. In this production, Mr. Ketchum played Mel Warshaw, an unskilled fellow carpenter, showcasing his early comedic talents in a recurring role.
Following this, he secured another significant role as a camp counselor, Counselor Spiffy, on “Camp Runamuck.” This comedy about a boys’ summer camp had a brief run during the 1965-66 season on NBC. The show further demonstrated his capacity for physical comedy and lighthearted performance, foreshadowing the type of character he would perfect in his subsequent endeavors.
Fellow “Camp Runamuck” actor Dave Madden lauded Ketchum’s natural comedic abilities, stating 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.” These early roles were crucial in establishing his presence in the burgeoning television landscape.
5. **The Origins of Agent 13: Replacing Victor French and Crafting a Character**David Ketchum joined the cast of “Get Smart” in 1966, marking a pivotal moment in his career. He entered the series as a replacement for Victor French, whose character, Agent 44, had played a similar role of being frequently hidden in the show’s first season. Ketchum seamlessly stepped into this unique comedic niche, making the role his own.
His introduction saw him as a resentful operative who had “grown to hate the spy business,” a sentiment he vocalized immediately upon emerging from his initial cramped hiding spot. This established Agent 13’s distinct personality: a perpetually disgruntled spy who, despite his complaints, always fulfilled his assignments. Producers quickly realized the comedic potential of his confined appearances, leading to increasingly absurd scenarios.
The genesis of the running gag was organic, evolving from initial ideas like his appearance in a barbershop steam cabinet. As Ketchum recalled in a 2002 interview, producers would say, “Wait a minute, wouldn’t it be funny if he was in a sofa?” This creative process led to Agent 13 popping up in diverse and unexpected places, each more ridiculous than the last, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the show’s humor.
6. **The Physical Comedy of Confinement: Enduring the Tightest Spots**Agent 13’s assignments routinely subjected David Ketchum to a series of increasingly bizarre and uncomfortable hiding places. Throughout his 13 episodes, he was frequently crammed into airport lockers, popcorn machines, grandfather clocks, towel dispensers, mailboxes, and trash bins. Each appearance was a testament to his physical comedic prowess and the writers’ ingenuity.
Despite the claustrophobic nature of his character’s predicaments, Mr. Ketchum, who stood over six feet tall, maintained a pragmatic outlook. He told The Daily Report of Ontario, Calif., in 1967 that he wasn’t claustrophobic but did have “a slight tendency toward motion sickness.” This admission highlighted the practical challenges of his unique role, particularly when the show pushed the boundaries of his comfort.
His biggest fright on “Get Smart” came when the writers placed Agent 13 in a running washing machine. “The hardest part for me was when they put Agent 13 in a washing machine,” he recounted in a 2002 interview. He described the difficulty of fitting his 6-foot-2 frame into such a tight space, recalling the challenge of remembering lines “while you’re spinning around with water and soap squirting in your face!” This vividly illustrates the dedication required for his signature gag.
7. **Beyond the Locker: Agent 13’s Disgruntled Wit and Memorable Quips**While the physical comedy of Agent 13’s confinement was central to his appeal, David Ketchum infused the character with a distinct personality defined by his disgruntled wit. Agent 13 rarely accepted his fate quietly, frequently chiming in with sarcastic remarks and exasperated observations that added depth to the recurring gag and resonated with viewers who could relate to his long-suffering demeanor.
His dialogue often underscored his profound resentment for his assignments, turning his discomfort into a source of humor. In one memorable instance, when Maxwell Smart, the show’s protagonist, threatened Agent 13 with a mission in an incinerator for refusing to help, Ketchum’s character, stuffed in an airport locker, retorted: “You can’t do anything to frighten me. Last week, I was stationed in a stove. The week before that, in a chimney.”
This kind of interaction not only provided comedic relief but also highlighted the absurdity of the spy world “Get Smart” satirized. Agent 13’s continuous complaints, his dry delivery, and his unwavering belief that he had drawn the shortest straw in the intelligence agency made him a relatable and enduring figure, cementing his place in television history as more than just a prop in a comedic setup.
8. **A Prolific Career Behind the Scenes: Television Writing**Beyond his memorable on-screen persona, David Ketchum cultivated an extensive and impactful career as a television writer, significantly contributing to American sitcoms. His writing often occurred concurrently with acting, demonstrating a multifaceted talent. This dedication to crafting narratives underscored a different dimension of his comedic genius, shaping humor for decades.
Mr. Ketchum garnered his first writing credit on a 1967 episode of Garry Marshall’s “Hey, Landlord.” He then penned dozens of episodes for enduring hit sitcoms, showcasing his versatility and understanding of comedic timing. His contributions extended to acclaimed series like “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” and “Full House,” programs that remain cultural touchstones, and he also wrote for “The Six Million Dollar Man.” A testament to his writing prowess, he received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination in 1974 for an episode of “M*A*S*H.”
Throughout his career, he wrote for nearly four dozen shows, a remarkable feat encompassing multiple installments of series like “Captain Nice,” “Love, American Style,” “The Rookies,” “Switch,” “The Love Boat,” and “Sledge Hammer!” This consistent output, spanning from the late 1960s through 1990, reveals a sustained commitment to the craft of television writing, establishing him as a foundational figure in script development.
9. **Diverse On-Screen Ventures Beyond Agent 13**While Agent 13 remains his most recognized role, David Ketchum’s on-screen presence extended to a diverse array of television series and films, showcasing his range as a character actor. He was a familiar face across the television landscape of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, often leaving a distinct impression.
His television acting résumé included stints on beloved series such as “The Real McCoys,” “The Munsters,” “Good Morning World,” “Gomer Pyle,” “Mod Squad,” “That Girl,” “Green Acres,” and “Alice.” He appeared in five episodes of “Happy Days,” for example, portraying three distinct characters, a testament to his adaptability.
Mr. Ketchum also made notable guest-star turns on “The Carol Burnett Show,” where his comedic timing was a natural fit. On “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1967, he portrayed salesmen, and in 1970, he appeared on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as a member of a divorce club, showcasing his ability to navigate sophisticated comedic scenarios.
Beyond television, Mr. Ketchum expanded his acting portfolio to include feature films. His film credits comprised appearances in productions such as “Good Neighbor Sam” (1964), “The Grasshopper” (1970), “Bless the Beasts & Children” (1971), and “Love at First Bite” (1979). He also played Murph in a popular series of commercials for Union 76 gas stations in the 1970s and 1980s.
Read more about: Ruth Buzzi, the Acclaimed Comedic Actress and ‘Laugh-In’ Star, Dies at 88
10. **The Return of Agent 13: Reprisals and Legacy**The enduring popularity of Agent 13 ensured that David Ketchum would revisit his iconic character in subsequent productions, further solidifying the spy’s place in television history. His return to the role in various “Get Smart” continuations underscored the character’s lasting appeal and the indelible mark Mr. Ketchum had made on the franchise.
Mr. Ketchum notably reprised his role as Agent 13 in the 1989 television movie, “Get Smart, Again!” and again for an episode of a revival of “Get Smart” in 1995. These later appearances reaffirmed the timeless quality of his performance and the character’s iconic status, bridging the show’s golden era with new generations.
Beyond these dedicated “Get Smart” projects, Mr. Ketchum’s Agent 13 persona was leveraged in other media. He notably appeared in character alongside Don Adams in a humorous advertisement for Pepsodent, a sponsor of the original series. This commercial spot further integrated Agent 13 into the broader pop culture consciousness.
11. **”The Elevator” and a Thematic Affinity for Enclosed Spaces**David Ketchum’s professional life exhibited a recurring thematic connection to confined spaces, extending beyond his portrayal of Agent 13 into his writing career. This unique affinity was explored in “The Elevator,” a 1974 television thriller which he co-wrote, showcasing his insights into the dramatic potential of such settings.
David Ketchum’s professional life exhibited a recurring thematic connection to confined spaces, extending beyond his portrayal of Agent 13 into his writing career. This unique affinity was explored in “The Elevator,” a 1974 television thriller which he co-wrote, showcasing his insights into the dramatic potential of such settings.
The ABC telefilm centered on a group of individuals trapped in an elevator, a premise that leveraged Mr. Ketchum’s intimate familiarity with claustrophobic scenarios. “The Los Angeles Times” noted his ability to “squeeze the last bit of suspense out of the situation,” highlighting his transition from comedic exploitation of confined spaces to their dramatic potential.
Indeed, Mr. Ketchum himself acknowledged this predilection. “I work better in small spaces,” he stated, adding, “My life is a small room.” This personal connection underscored his unique identification with the confined settings that defined a significant part of his public and creative identity.
12. **Collaboration with Garry Marshall and Contributions to Sitcoms**A significant chapter in David Ketchum’s career involved his sustained collaboration with producer and director Garry Marshall, a partnership that yielded substantial contributions to American television comedy. This professional relationship began with Ketchum’s first writing credit and became a foundational aspect of his prolific work behind the scenes.
The association commenced with Garry Marshall’s “Hey, Landlord,” where Mr. Ketchum received his initial writing credit in 1967 and occasionally appeared on-screen. This early collaboration paved the way for a long and fruitful working relationship, encompassing hits such as “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley,” as well as “The Odd Couple,” “Mork & Mindy,” and the film “Young Doctors in Love.”
Beyond specific show credits, Mr. Ketchum possessed a broader perspective on television comedy and satire. In a 2002 interview, he attributed “Get Smart’s” enduring appeal to its satirical elements, noting how “nobody does satire on television today,” citing an episode where KAOS’s broadcast was missed due to a competing movie.
13. **An Enduring Legacy in American Comedy**David Ketchum’s extensive career, marked by both memorable on-screen performances and prolific writing, cemented an enduring legacy in American comedy. His unique blend of physical humor, dry wit, and behind-the-scenes ingenuity left an indelible mark on multiple generations of television viewers and creators.
His family stated, “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth and timeless television moments — reminding us all that sometimes, the simplest surprise (like someone perched in a mailbox) can yield the biggest smile.” This sentiment captures the essence of his comedic philosophy, emphasizing the universal appeal of unexpected humor.
Mr. Ketchum’s journey from aspiring engineer to beloved star and respected writer illustrates the power of pursuing one’s true passion. His multifaceted career continues to inspire budding performers, exemplifying a dedication to craft and a profound understanding of what makes people laugh, ensuring his impact endures.
Read more about: A Century of Brilliance: Celebrating the Enduring Legacies of Hollywood’s Nonagenarian Film Icons
14. **Family Life and Personal Integrity**Beyond his professional accomplishments, David Ketchum was rooted in a personal life marked by enduring commitment and family values. His marriage and family provided a stable foundation throughout his dynamic career, underscoring a groundedness that complemented his public persona. These relationships were central to his identity.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, David Ketchum was rooted in a personal life marked by enduring commitment and family values. His marriage and family provided a stable foundation throughout his dynamic career, underscoring a groundedness that complemented his public persona. These relationships were central to his identity.
Mr. Ketchum married singer Louise Ketchum in 1957, a partnership that spanned 68 years until his death. Together, they raised two daughters, Nicole Madden and Wendy Ellis. He is survived by his wife, their two daughters, three grandchildren — Hannah, Alison, and Cameron — and a great-grandson, Noah, speaking to a rich and extended family life.
Despite the fame and demanding nature of his career, Mr. Ketchum reportedly remained grounded, never losing his “midwestern charm.” He was cherished for his personal character, remembered as “a wonderful father, a loyal spouse, and someone who always managed to inject laughter into daily life.”
Read more about: A Generational Reckoning: The Lives and Legacies of Icons Who Departed in a Single Year, Echoing Our Own Fleeting Youth
David Ketchum’s life story, from an unconventional birth in an elevator to his final moments at 97, weaves a narrative of persistent creativity, unique comedic genius, and profound personal connection. He transcended the confines of an airport locker to define an era of television, proving that true talent, whether on-screen or behind the typewriter, leaves an indelible mark. His legacy is not merely in the laughter he provoked but in the enduring warmth and wit he shared with the world, a testament to a life lived fully within the vast and varied spaces of human experience.
