Don Adams (born Donald James Yarmy, April 13, 1923 – September 25, 2005) was an American actor, comedian, game show panelist and occasional director, who in his five decades of television was best known for his role as Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the TV situation comedy Get Smart (1965–1970, 1995), for which he also directed and wrote. Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1111 - Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 1204 - The Fourth Crusade sacks Constantinople Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience primarily by making them laugh This page concerns the Australian show For the Irish version see The Panel (Ireland. A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirized the secret agent genre Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirized the secret agent genre Adams won three consecutive Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Smart (1967–1969). He also provided the voices for the animated series Inspector Gadget and Tennessee Tuxedo as their respective title characters. Inspector Gadget is an Animated television series about a clumsy absent-minded and oblivious Detective, Inspector Gadget who is a human being with Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales was a popular semi-educational Animated cartoon show that originally aired on CBS from 1963 to 1966

Early life

Adams was born in New York City to William Yarmy, a Hungarian Jew, who worked as a soda clerk, and Consuelo Dieter, a Roman Catholic struggling housewife, who was of both Dutch and Irish heritage;^[1] he was not raised in any religion but became a practicing Catholic. The City of New York Hungarians (or Magyars, magyarok are an Ethnic group primarily associated with Hungary. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Dutch people ( Dutch:) are the dominant Ethnic group of the Netherlands. The Irish people ( Irish: Muintir na hÉireann, na hÉireannaigh, na Gaeil) are a Western European Ethnic group who originate

After Don dropped out of New York City's DeWitt Clinton High School at age 18 (his senior year) in 1941, one of his first jobs was a theatre usher, and later worked as a comic and mimic, taking the stage name of Adams after marrying singer Adelaide (Dell) Efantis, who performed under the name Adelaide Adams. The City of New York DeWitt Clinton High School is an American high school located in the New York City borough of the Bronx. After their divorce, he still went by the stage name "Adams," explaining (perhaps comically) that he kept it because he got tired of being last during alphabetical auditions.

Adams served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including He was wounded during the Battle of Guadalcanal, nearly dying. The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the Also, he got blackwater fever. Blackwater fever is a complication of Malaria characterized by intravascular Haemolysis, haemoglobinuria and Kidney failure. ^[2] Upon his recovery and return to the States, he served as a drill instructor. A drill instructor (or Drill Sergeant) is a Non-commissioned officer in the Armed forces with specific duties that vary by country ^[3] As a Marine Corps drill instructor he was commended by his superiors for being able to exceed the performance of his recruits at every required physical task.

Character actor

Though Adams rarely had any character parts during his life, he made his television debut guest-starring on an episode of Startime. The one part led to other roles such as Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Danny Thomas Hour, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, several episodes of The Love Boat playing various characters, Fantasy Island, The Fall Guy, Back to the Beach, and the last guest-starring role he appeared was on Empty Nest. Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre is an anthology television series which ran on NBC from 1963 through 1967. The Danny Thomas Hour is a US anthology television series that was broadcast on NBC during the 1967-68 television season. Wait till Your Father Gets Home is an Animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera which aired in first-run syndication in the United The Love Boat (simply Love Boat in its final season is an American Television series set on a Cruise ship, which This article is about the television series For the Amusement park, see Martin's Fantasy Island or Fantasy Island UK The Fall Guy is an American Television program produced for ABC and originally broadcast from 1981 to 1986. Back to the Beach is a 1987 Comedy film starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, directed by Lyndall Hobbs. He also guest-voiced on an episode of Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. Nick Freno Licensed Teacher (also known as Nick Freno) is an American sitcom which aired on The WB from 1996 until

The Bill Dana Show

His work on television began in 1954, when he won "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" with a stand-up comedy act written by boyhood friend Bill Dana. Arthur Morton Leo Godfrey ( August 31 1903 &ndash March 16 1983) was an American Radio and Television broadcaster Bill Dana (born October 5 1924) is a US Comedian, Actor and Screenwriter who often appeared on the Ed Sullivan In addition to appearing on numerous comedy, variety, and dramatic series, Adams had a role on the NBC sitcom The Bill Dana Show (1963–65), as a bumbling hotel detective named Byron Glick — a character nearly identical to what was soon to become "Maxwell Smart" on Get Smart. The Bill Dana Show was a United States comedy series starring Bill Dana and Jonathan Harris. Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirized the secret agent genre (The hotel manager was played by Jonathan Harris who later did a guest role on Get Smart in 1970. Jonathan Harris ( November 6, 1914 – November 3, 2002) was an American stage and Character actor. Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirized the secret agent genre )

Get Smart

Creators Buck Henry and Mel Brooks wrote Get Smart as the comedic answer to all of the successful 1960s spy television dramas such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Avengers, I Spy and It Takes a Thief. Henry Zuckerman better known as Buck Henry (born December 9 1930 is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor, Writer, Mel Brooks (born Melvin Kaminsky; June 28, 1926) is an American director, Writer, Composer, Lyricist Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic The Man from UNCLE is an American television series that was broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1964, to January The Avengers was a British Television series featuring Secret agents in 1960s Britain. I Spy is an American television Secret agent adventure series They were asked to write a spoof that combined elements from two of the most popular film series at the time: the James Bond and Pink Panther (Inspector Clouseau) movies.

NBC was interested in Adams, who was under contract with the network, though he was the second choice to play Maxwell Smart (Agent 86), after Tom Poston turned down the part. Tom Poston ( October 17, 1921 – April 30, 2007) was an American television and film Actor. When it debuted in 1965, it was an immediate hit. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

Adams endowed the character with his voice and clipped, unique speaking style. Co-star Barbara Feldon, who played the role of Smart's partner, Agent 99, said, "Part of the pop fervor for Agent 86, was because Don did such an extreme portrayal of the character that it made it easy to imitate. Barbara Feldon (born Barbara Hall on March 12, 1932 in Bethel Park Pennsylvania) is an American actress, Game show Get Smart is an American comedy television series that satirized the secret agent genre " Adams created many popular catch-phrases with the character, including "Sorry 'bout that, chief", "And. . . loving it", "Would you believe?" and "Missed it by THAT much!" These helped make the series a cult hit in over 100 countries. This article does not discuss "cult" in the original sense of "veneration" or "religious practice" for that usage see Cult (religious practice

In addition to acting, Adams also produced and directed some episodes of the show. Off the set, he occasionally feuded with Jay Sandrich, who served as writer. Jay Henry Sandrich (born 24 February 1932) is an American Television director. For his portrayal of Agent 86, he was nominated for Emmys 4 seasons in a row, between 1966 and 1969, and won 3 Emmys, for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series.

For its final season, the show moved to CBS, though ratings began to decline as spy series and war movies went out of fashion. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Get Smart was canceled in 1970, after 138 episodes.

Feldon said of her longtime friend Adams's tenure on Get Smart, "It was so easy, that was the strange thing. We didn't grope for that relationship. Don came in with Max intact. 99 just had to respond to that already salified Max. "

Typecasting

Adams was very happy about the show's cancellation, as he wanted to move on to other projects, but his projects after Get Smart were less successful, including the comedy series The Partners (1971–1972), a self-titled game show called Don Adams Screen Test (1975–1976) and three attempts to revive the Get Smart series in the 1980s. The Partners was a 1970s American Television comedy series that was aired between September 1971 and March 1972 (and again briefly between July and August 1972 Even his movie, The Nude Bomb, was a box-office failure. The Nude Bomb (also known as The Return of Maxwell Smart or Maxwell Smart and the Nude Bomb) is a 1980 comedy Adams was typecast as Maxwell Smart and unable to move beyond that image, though he did have success as the voice of Inspector Gadget. For other meanings see Typecasting. Typecasting is the process by which a film TV or stage Actor is strongly identified with a specific

He continued to make the majority of his income from his work on stage and in clubs. Because Adams had chosen co-ownership of the Get Smart property over an increased salary during the series' production period, he received regular income in later years.

The Don Adams Screen Test

The Don Adams Screen Test was a syndicated game show which lasted 26 episodes during the 1975–76 season. The show was done in two 15-minute segments, in each of which a randomly selected audience member would 'act' to re-create a scene from a Hollywood movie, such as the bat scene from 'The Lost Weekend' or the beach scene from 'From Here to Eternity', aided by Adams and other guest celebrities. Hokey effects, bad timing, forgotten lines, prop failures and the celebrity's 'ad libs' were maximized for comic effect. At the end of the program, the 'screen test' of each of the two contestants would be played, with audience reaction determining the winner, who would receive a trip to Hollywood and a real screen test.

Voice-over and later work

Don Adams in animated form in an episode of The New Scooby Doo Movies, "The Exterminator. The New Scooby-Doo Movies (sometimes called The New Scooby-Doo Comedy Movies) was the second incarnation of the long-running Hanna-Barbera "

Adams worked as a voice actor in Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (1963–1966), but he was more famous as the voice of Inspector Gadget in the initial run of that television series (1983–1985) and the Christmas special, as well as in later reprises; he even voiced himself in animated form for a guest shot in an episode of Hanna-Barbera's The New Scooby-Doo Movies, "The Exterminator," which first aired on CBS October 13, 1973. Voice acting is the art of providing voices for animated characters (including those in feature films television series animated shorts and Video games) and Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales was a popular semi-educational Animated cartoon show that originally aired on CBS from 1963 to 1966 Inspector Gadget is an Animated television series about a clumsy absent-minded and oblivious Detective, Inspector Gadget who is a human being with The New Scooby-Doo Movies (sometimes called The New Scooby-Doo Comedy Movies) was the second incarnation of the long-running Hanna-Barbera CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar.

He attempted a situation-comedy comeback in Canada with Check it Out! in 1985; the show ran for three years in Canada, but it was not successful in the United States. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Check it Out! was a Canadian television Sitcom, which aired on CTV from 1985 to 1988. The show also starred Gordon Clapp, an unknown star at the time, who developed a rapport with Adams. Gordon Clapp (born September 24, 1948) is an American actor known for playing the role of Detective Greg Medavoy for all 12 seasons on In an A&E Biography, Adams said that he made more money working on a series, better than on Get Smart. Biography is a Documentary television series. Originally produced by CBS in 1962 and hosted by Mike Wallace, the A&E Network He reprised his Maxwell Smart role on Get Smart for FOX in 1995, which co-starred Barbara Feldon and rising star Andy Dick as Max's & 99's only son. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Andrew R "Andy" Dick (born December 21 1965 is an American Comedian, Actor, Voice artist, Musician and Producer Unlike the original version, this show did not appeal with younger viewers and it was canceled after only 6 episodes. He later went on to voice the character of Principal Hickley in the late-90s Disney cartoon, Pepper Ann. Walt Disney Television Animation is the animated television production division of The Walt Disney Company. Pepper Ann is an Animated series created by Sue Rose and shown in the United States on ABC.

In 2003, Adams joined a Get Smart tribute at the Museum of Television and Radio. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Paley Center for Media, formerly The Museum of Television & Radio ( MT&R) and The Museum of Broadcasting, founded in 1975 by William S Also appearing at the convention were surviving stars of Get Smart: Barbara Feldon, Bernie Kopell and Dick Gautier.

Adams stated in interviews that his famous "clippy" voice characterization was an exaggeration of the speaking style of actor William Powell. William Horatio Powell ( July 29, 1892 – March 5, 1984) was a three-time Academy Award -nominated American actor noted Occasionally, he also enjoyed doing a more explicit impersonation of Ronald Colman. Ronald Colman ( February 9 1891 &ndash May 19 1958) was an English Academy Award and Golden Globe -winning actor

Adams was the voice of Brain the dog in the end credits for the film version of Inspector Gadget in 1999. Brain is a Dog on the cartoon show Inspector Gadget. He is the pet of Penny the Inspector's niece Inspector Gadget is a 1999 Live-action Film based on the characters of the popular Animated cartoon series of the same name

In the teaser trailer for The Venture Brothers third season, the sea captain character (who led a crew of fake ghost pirates ala Scooby Doo villains) proudly explains that his career lets you meet people "who used to be famous. The Venture Bros (alternatively The Venture Brothers) is an American Animated television series airing as part of Adult Swim Scooby-Doo is a long-running American animated series produced for Saturday morning television in several different versions from 1969 to the Like Cher and the guy who did the voice for Inspector Gadget. Cher ( IPA: /ʃɛr/ born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20 1946 "

Personal life

Adams was married and divorced three times:

• Adelaide "Dell" Efantis, in 1949, divorced in 1958. They had four children: actress Cecily (born February 6, 1958 and died March 3, 2004), Carolyn, Christine and Cathy. Cecily April Adams ( February 6, 1958 – March 3, 2004) was born in Jamaica Queens New York, the daughter of comic actor Don Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "
• Dorothy Bracken in 1960, divorced in 1973. They had two children, Stacey Noel (born on June 17, 1966) and Sean Adams (born on December 4, 1970 and died on June 28, 2006). Stacey Noel Adams is an American media executive who was recently named Vice President Current Programming CBS Entertainment. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
• Judy Luciano on June 10, 1977, divorced in 1990. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays They had a daughter, Beige Dawn Adams, born on June 6, 1979. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar)

Don had two siblings, actor Dick Yarmy (1932–1992) and writer Gloria Yarmy Burton.

On September 25, 2005, he died in Los Angeles, California from a lung infection following a long battle with bone lymphoma. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Lymphoma a type of Neoplasm that originates in Lymphocytes (a type of White blood cell in the vertebrate Immune system) He is interred in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. Hollywood Forever Cemetery is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California. His funeral mass was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. He was survived by six of his seven children along with 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

See also

References

External links

• Don Adams at the Voice Chasers Database
• Don Adams at the Internet Movie Database
• Don Adams at Allmovie
• Don Adams at TV.com
• Don Adams at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-04-01
• Don Adams, Television's Maxwell Smart, Dies at 82
• When Being Funny Means Having to Say You're Sorry About That, Chief
• Guardian obituary and obituary letter