TV Veteran David Ketchum, Known for ‘Get Smart’ and ‘MacGyver,’ Dies at 97

David Ketchum, best known for his work on Get Smart and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has died.

The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news, reporting that he died on August 10 at the age of 97. Best known for his comedic prowess, his family confirmed his demise, though the cause of death remains unclear.

Born on February 4, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois, David Ketchum was also known for having starred as Mel Warshaw, a carpenter, alongside John Astin and Marty Ingalls on the ABC sitcom I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster, which ran from 1962-63. A few years later, he bagged the role of Counselor Spiffy on Camp Runamuck.

David Ketchum's life and legacy explored:

Albeit an established actor and comedian in his own right, David Ketchum also studied physics at UCLA and reportedly toured the world with fellow students in an attempt to entertain military personnel stationed outside the States. His IMDB states that he was initially looking to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, though he eventually pivoted.

Instead, he hosted his own radio program in San Diego, California, for seven years, and in addition to portraying Counselor Spiffy in Camp Runamuck, he was a regular on Get Smart, where he acted as Agent 13.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, it was a running gag for him to be caught hiding in unusually stuffy places like mailboxes and fire hydrants. Per his IMDB, he bagged the role in 1966, though he eventually reprised the same for a 1989 telemovie, as well as a short sequel to the series that debuted in 1995.

“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. They also built an eight-foot tube I got into so I could be spun around in the front. You try remembering your lines while you’re spinning around with water and soap squirting in your face!” he once said, per THR.

While his work in front of the camera is noteworthy, he also had stints as a screenwriter, having penned episodes for shows like Here's Lucy (1968), Barefoot in the Park (1970), Happy Days (1974), and Laverne & Shirley (1976). He eventually earned a co-nomination for a Writers Guild of America Award for his contribution to the M*A*S*H (1972) episode 'Tuttle'.

In his personal life, David Ketchum married a singer named Louise Bryant, with whom he shared 2 daughters, Nicole and Wendy. They were married until his recent passing. He also leaves behind three grandchildren and a great-grandson.

“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,” his family said, per THR.

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