Today, the entertainment world is mourning the loss ofDavid Ketchum, the beloved character actor best known for his iconic role as the often cooped-up field reconnaissance operative, Agent 13, on the classic sitcomGet Smart. His family announced this afternoon that Ketchum died at the age of 97 on August 10. He leaves behind a long legacy of comedic writing and guest-starring on-screen, fromCamp RunamuktoThe Andy Griffith Show.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, on July 17, 2025, Ketchum majored in engineering at UCLA. In a 1965 interview, he explained that he never resigned himself to a career in show business and wanted a fallback for when his time on-screen was up. Originally, his career was meant to begin alongsideJohn Waynein his 1951 film,Flying Leathernecks, though a call to duty for the National Guard thwarted those plans. Instead, he’d spend years building up a presence on the radio and as a comedian before landing his initial roles inThe Jim Backus ShowandAngelin 1961. His first big break, however, would come one year later when he joined theABCsitcomI’m Dickens, He’s Fensterin a recurring role as Mel Warshaw. He’d then follow that up withCamp Runamuk, which employed him as counselor Spiffy from 1965 through 1966.
As his time at camp was running up, Ketchum would take on his most notable role inGet Smart, joining theMel BrooksandBuck Henrysitcom in its second season and becoming a standout recurring presence. Starting with him popping out of a barbershop steam cabinet to give Agent 86 (Don Adams) an update on KAOS’s latest criminal scheme, the disgruntled Agent 13 would become part of the show’s most recurring gag, appearing in mailboxes, climbing out of sofas, and squeezing into grandfather clocks, all for his extremely uncomfortable undercover missions. The limits of the gag would continue to be pushed throughout the 13 episodes he appeared in, placing him in more ludicrous spots each time, including a running washing machine. So beloved was the role that he would reprise it in the spy parody’s television revival movie,Get Smart, Again!, in 1989, and the Fox sequel in 1995. Alas, he did not appear inthe 2008 reboot movie, withBill Murrayinstead taking up the mantle and stuffing himself inside a tree.
Ketchum Cemented Himself As a Television Legend With His Guest Appearances
Ketchum would have his moments on the feature side of things, including inGood Neighbor Sam,Love at First Bite, and, in his final role,The Other Sister, and he would even take up writing with episodes ofThe Six Million Dollar ManandMAS*H. However, his status as a television favorite was secured through his many guest roles on a variety of prominent series. He’d appear in theentireAndy Griffithextended universe, including the original series and its spin-offs,Gomer Pyle: USMCandMayberry R.F.D., as well asThe Real McCoys,The Munsters,Good Morning World,Green Acres,Mork & Mindy,The Odd Couple, andHappy Days, among others.
Although he was rarely the star, Ketchum did it all on the small screen and is still remembered to this day for his tireless work. He is survived by his wife of nearly seven decades, as well as two daughters, three grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Our condolences go out to his friends and family at this time.
