David Ketchum, the comedian and voice actor best remembered for his roles in Get Smart and Camp Runamuck, has died at the age of 97 on August 10, according to Variety.
A familiar face on 1960s sitcoms, Ketchum made guest appearances on shows like I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Camp Runamuck. He also took part in the TV special A Knight in Shining Armour.
“He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth and timeless television moment — reminding us all that sometimes, the simplest surprise (like someone perched in a mailbox) can yield the biggest smile,” his family said per The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, David Ketchum launched his acting career as the camp counselor Spiffy on Camp Runamuck. He soon went on to become a regular cast member on I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster, playing Mel Warshaw. One of his most memorable roles came as Agent 13 on Get Smart, where his character was famously hidden in odd spots like lockers, vending machines, and mailboxes as part of a running gag. Ketchum later reprised the role in the TV movie Get Smart Again! and again in a 1995 revival of the series on Fox.
Per PEOPLE, Ketchum earned recognition as a talented television writer. He not only wrote for Get Smart but also contributed scripts to many popular series throughout the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s. His writing credits include episodes of MASH*, I Dream of Jeannie, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Rookies, Switch, Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman, Laverne & Shirley, T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, MacGyver, and Full House.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ketchum is survived by his wife, Louise, whom he married in 1957, along with their two daughters, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
