609


April 13, 1923 - September 25, 2005

Who could forget Agent 86's most memorable lines?? - "Would ya believe...?", "Miss it by that much..." 

The great man is a personal favorite of mine, that unique voice can be heard now almost half a century later as Tennessee Tuxedo on his own show and also on another animated program "Underdog."  In the 1950's he appeared on Steve Allen's "Tonight Show" along side other funnymen such as Tom Poston and Don Knotts.  This work led to a recurring role as hotel house detective Byron Glick on "The Bill Dana Show."  By 1965 he was playing Maxwell Smart, Agent 86 of Control.  His sidekick (later wife) was Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon) and his boss was The Chief (Edward Platt).  The show ran for 5 seasons producing over 150 episodes.  The star received an Emmy award for his performance as the bumbling but dedicated crime fighter.  During the 1970's he attempted returns to television but had to settled for guest work on programs such as "The Bob Hope Show", "Fantasy Island", "The Carol Burnett Show" and "The Love Boat."  

In the 1980's he was introduced to a brand new generation of fans when he began providing the voice of "Inspector Gadget", another dim but dedicated crime fighter.  The original series ran from 1983 to 1986 but has been a favorite of children and adults ever since.  In the mid to late 1990's there was a brief revival of the show but it wasn't as successful.  From 1985 to 1988 he appeared in the television series "Check It Out."  

Revivals of "Get Smart" came in the form of the motion picture "The Nude Bomb" in 1980, "Get Smart, Again" a TV movie in 1989 and then a new series "Get Smart" in 1995 featuring Andy Dick as the son of Maxwell Smart and 99.  The new series ran on FOX for only eight episodes.  

In the early 1990's he made a very well received guest appearance (playing himself) on the NBC sitcom, "Empty Nest" starring Richard Mulligan.  His final acting project was a recurring role on the animated series "Pepper Ann" playing Principal Hickey from 1999 to 2000.

He left us on this day seven years ago....

In Memoriam Remembers:
Don Adams 

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