David Ketchum, the actor and television writer best known for his memorable role as Agent 13 on the 1960s comedy series “Get Smart,” died on August 10 at age 97. Ketchum died in a care facility in Thousand Oaks, California, according to his daughter Nicole Madden.
The family announced Ketchum’s death publicly on August 22, stating that “he leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth and timeless television moments.” They encouraged fans to honor his memory by watching one of his classic performances in remembrance of his quick wit and gentle heart.
Born on February 4, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois, Ketchum began his entertainment career in radio after serving in the National Guard. He hosted nightly radio shows in San Francisco and San Diego for seven years before transitioning to television. His early television work included appearances on shows like “The Real McCoys” and “The Jim Backus Show.”
Ketchum’s first significant television role came as carpenter Mel Warshaw on the 1962-63 ABC sitcom “I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster,” starring opposite John Astin and Marty Ingalls. He then played Counselor Spiffy on the NBC comedy “Camp Runamuck” during the 1965-66 season.
His most recognizable role came when he joined “Get Smart” for its second season in 1966. Created by Buck Henry and Mel Brooks, the spy spoof featured Ketchum as Agent 13, a character who became the centerpiece of one of television’s most enduring running gags. Agent 13 was perpetually stationed inside unlikely hiding places, including mailboxes, vending machines, washing machines, trash cans, fire hydrants, grandfather clocks, and airport lockers.
The character’s predicament often led to comedic complaints about his uncomfortable surveillance assignments. In a 2002 interview, Ketchum described the physical challenges of the role, noting that at six feet two inches tall, fitting into cramped spaces proved particularly difficult. He recalled that the washing machine scenes were especially challenging, as producers built an eight-foot tube for him to spin around in while water and soap squirted in his face.
Ketchum appeared in 13 episodes of the original “Get Smart” series, which ran from 1965 to 1970 on NBC and later CBS. He reprised his role as Agent 13 in the 1989 television movie “Get Smart, Again!” and appeared in one episode of the 1995 Fox reboot of “Get Smart.”
Beyond his acting career, Ketchum established himself as a prolific television writer. He began writing while waiting for his scenes to be set up during “Get Smart” productions, eventually penning scripts for nearly four dozen shows. His writing credits include episodes of “M*A*S*H,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Petticoat Junction,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Wonder Woman,” “The Bionic Woman,” “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “MacGyver,” “The Love Boat,” and “Full House.”
Ketchum developed a particularly close working relationship with producer Garry Marshall after writing for “Hey, Landlord” in 1967. This collaboration led to writing and acting opportunities in numerous Marshall productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also co-wrote the 1974 ABC telefilm “The Elevator.”
His guest-starring television appearances included roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Mayberry R.F.D.,” “Petticoat Junction,” “Gomer Pyle,” “Mod Squad,” “That Girl,” “Green Acres,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Partridge Family,” “Love, American Style,” “Maude,” “Alice,” “Mork & Mindy,” and “The Munsters.”
Ketchum’s film appearances included “Good Neighbor Sam” (1964), “The Grasshopper” (1970), “Bless the Beasts & Children” (1971), “The North Avenue Irregulars” (1979), “Love at First Bite” (1979), “The Main Event” (1979), “Young Doctors in Love” (1982), and “The Other Sister” (1999). He also appeared in a series of commercials for Union 76 gas stations during the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1962, Ketchum released a comedy album titled “The Long-Playing Tongue of Dave Ketchum.” Billboard praised him as a new comic with funny ideas who knew how to deliver them effectively, though the album failed to chart despite being released during comedy’s golden age.
Ketchum is survived by his wife Louise, whom he married in August 1957, their two daughters Nicole Madden and Wendy Ellis, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. The couple had been married for nearly 68 years at the time of his death.