Bernie Kopell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernie Kopell
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Kopell as Dr. Adam Bricker, 1977
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Bernard Morton Kopell
June 21, 1933 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Education | New York University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Known for | Siegfried – Get Smart Dr. Adam Bricker – The Love Boat |
| Spouse(s) | Celia Whitney (m. 1962; div. 1963) Yolanda Veloz
(m. 1974; div. 1995)Catrina Honadle
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years | 1955–1957 |
| Rank |  Seaman |
Bernard Morton Kopell (born June 21, 1933) is an American actor. He is famous for playing Siegfried in the TV show Get Smart from 1966 to 1969. He also played Dr. Adam Bricker, often called "Doc," on The Love Boat from 1977 to 1986.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bernie Kopell was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Pauline and Al Bernard Kopell. He went to Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. After high school, he studied dramatic arts at New York University. He earned his degree in 1955.
After college, Kopell served in the United States Navy. He worked as a librarian at a naval base in Virginia. From 1956 to 1957, he served on the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61). During this time, he traveled to many places. He visited countries in Europe like Italy, Spain, and Greece. He also went to Turkey and South America. He even helped other service members study for their GED tests. After his military service, Kopell moved to Los Angeles to start his acting career.
Acting Career Highlights
When Kopell first arrived in Los Angeles, he worked as a taxi driver. He also tried selling vacuum cleaners to earn money. Soon, he got a small part in a TV soap opera called The Brighter Day. From there, he appeared in shows like My Favorite Martian and The Jack Benny Program. He often played characters with different accents.
During the 1960s and early 1970s, Kopell appeared in many popular TV shows. These included sitcoms like That Girl, Green Acres, The Flying Nun, and Bewitched. He also appeared in crime dramas like The Streets of San Francisco and Kojak.
Playing Siegfried and Other Roles
One of Kopell's most memorable roles was Siegfried in Get Smart. Siegfried was a funny villain who worked for KAOS. Kopell also played Jerry Bauman in That Girl and Louie Pallucci in The Doris Day Show. On Bewitched, he played several different characters, including a wizard. In 1973, he was a regular cast member on the comedy show Needles and Pins.
Becoming Doc on The Love Boat
Bernie Kopell's longest and most famous role was Dr. Adam Bricker, or "Doc," on The Love Boat. This show was produced by Aaron Spelling. Kopell was on the show for its entire run, appearing in 250 episodes. He became very well-known for this role.
After The Love Boat, Kopell's "Doc" character was often referenced. He made funny appearances on shows like Late Show with David Letterman and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He even appeared as Doc in a Saturday Night Live skit that made fun of The Love Boat. He also appeared in a commercial for an anti-snoring product, joking about how snoring could ruin a romantic cruise.
Kopell continued to act in many TV shows. He played a coroner in Charmed and a restroom attendant in Monk. He also had guest roles in My Name Is Earl, Scrubs, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
In August 2022, Kopell starred in a play called Two Jews Talking in New York City. He continues to appear in films and TV shows today.
Personal Life
Bernie Kopell has been married three times. He first married Celia Whitney, then Yolanda Veloz. In 1997, he married Catrina Honadle. Bernie and Catrina have two children together: Adam, born in 1998, and Josh, born in 2003.
Images for kids
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Kopell as Dr. Adam Bricker, 1977
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Cast of the NBC series Needles and Pins, 1973. Bernie Kopell is in the top row, second from left.
See also
In Spanish: Bernie Kopell para niños
