Dave Ketchum, best known as the perpetually frustrated Agent 13 on the classic 1960s sitcom “Get Smart”, has died at the age of 97. His family confirmed he passed away on August 10, 2025, though no further details were provided 【Deadline】.
Early Career and First Roles
Born on February 4, 1928, Ketchum first entertained audiences as part of USO tours and local California radio shows before transitioning into television in the early 1960s. He began with guest spots on series like The Jim Backus Show, Angel, and The Real McCoys, before landing a regular role on ABC’s short-lived sitcom I’m Dickens — He’s Fenster (1962–63).
He briefly released a comedy album, The Long Playing Tongue of Dave Ketchum, during the Golden Age of comedy records, though it did not chart. His first starring TV role came with NBC’s Camp Runamuck (1965–66), where he played senior counselor Spiffy.
Breakthrough as Agent 13
Ketchum became a fan favorite when he joined “Get Smart” in its second season (1966), playing the unlucky Agent 13 — an operative often stuck in absurd hiding spots like mailboxes, toilets, lockers, or even spinning inside a washing machine. His running gag fit perfectly into the show’s slapstick spy parody created by Buck Henry and Mel Brooks.
Though he only appeared regularly in Season 2 and briefly in Season 3, Ketchum’s Agent 13 left a lasting mark. He later reprised the role in the TV movie “Get Smart, Again!” (1989) and Fox’s short-lived 1995 reboot of the series.
Prolific Writing Career
After his run on Get Smart, Ketchum transitioned into writing, developing a long partnership with Garry Marshall. He contributed to iconic 1970s sitcoms including:
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Happy Days
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Laverne & Shirley
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The Odd Couple
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Mork & Mindy
Beyond Marshall’s projects, he wrote for numerous hit shows, such as MAS*H, Wonder Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, The Love Boat, MacGyver, Perfect Strangers, Highway to Heaven, Full House, and T.J. Hooker.
Other Acting Roles
Ketchum remained a familiar face on television, guest-starring on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Alice, The Carol Burnett Show, The Andy Griffith Show, That Girl, Petticoat Junction, and Perfect Strangers. On Happy Days alone, he appeared in five episodes, playing three different characters.
His film credits included Bless the Beasts & Children (1971), Love at First Bite (1979), The Main Event (1979), and The Other Sister (1999).
Legacy and Family
Ketchum is remembered as both a versatile performer and a prolific comedy writer, bridging eras from the 1960s sitcom boom to 1980s primetime hits. His mix of memorable acting and behind-the-scenes contributions cemented his legacy as a key figure in American television comedy.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Louise, their daughters Nicole and Wendy, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
