This talented performer was one of the most recognizable comedic voices of the 1960s. He was known for a sharp, staccato way of speaking and a series of catchphrases that became part of the American lexicon. While he is best remembered for playing a well-meaning but bumbly secret agent, he was actually a highly successful stand-up comedian and a gifted impressionist who got his start winning talent shows in the late 1940s.
Can you name them, not the character they played?
He was a person of immense creative talent who won three consecutive Emmy Awards for his most famous role. He was also a prolific voice actor who provided the iconic personality for a bionic cartoon detective and a quick-witted animated penguin. Despite his image as a clumsy operative on screen, he was a deeply intelligent man who was a world-class bridge player and a master of the “dry” humor that defined his era. He was also a dedicated father of seven who often brought his family members onto his sets to work alongside him.
This image shows Don Adams in his iconic role as Maxwell Smart from the television series Get Smart.
Iconic Role: Don Adams starred as Maxwell Smart, also known as Agent 86, a bumbling but successful secret agent in the popular spy spoof that aired from 1965 to 1970.
Signature Gadget: The image features the famous “shoe phone,” one of the show’s most recognizable gadgets used to communicate with his superiors.
Awards: For his performance, Adams won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series from 1967 to 1969.
Career: Beyond Get Smart, he was known for his voice work on the animated series Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales.