Don Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Adams
Don Adams as Maxwell Smart (1968)
Born	Donald James Yarmy (1923-04-13)April 13, 1923 New York City, U.S.
Died	September 25, 2005(2005-09-25) (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Alma mater	DeWitt Clinton High School
Occupation	Actor, comedian
Years active	1954–2000
Notable work	Get Smart, Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales, Inspector Gadget
Spouse(s)	Adelaide Efantis ​ ​ (m. 1947; div. 1960)​ Dorothy Bracken ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1976)​ Judy Luciano ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1990)​
Children	7, including Cecily Adams
Relatives	Dick Yarmy (brother)
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1941–1945
Battles/wars	World War II -Battle of Guadalcanal

Donald James Yarmy (born April 13, 1923 – died September 25, 2005), known as Don Adams, was an American actor. He was famous for playing the funny secret agent Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the TV show Get Smart. This show ran from 1965 to 1970. Don Adams also sometimes directed and wrote for Get Smart. He won three Emmy Awards in a row for his acting in the series.

Adams also used his voice for cartoon characters. He was the voice of Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (1963–1966). Later, he became the voice of Inspector Gadget (1983–1986). He continued to voice Inspector Gadget in other shows in the 1990s.

Early Life and Military Service

Growing Up in New York

Don Adams was born Donald James Yarmy in Manhattan, New York. His father was from a Hungarian-Jewish family, and his mother was Irish-American. Don and his brother, Dick Yarmy, were raised in different faiths. Don was raised Catholic, like his mother. Dick was raised Jewish, like their father.

Their older sister, Gloria Ella Yarmy, was a writer. She even wrote an episode for Get Smart. Don Adams left DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City. He worked as an usher in a theater.

Serving in World War II

In late 1941, Don Adams joined the United States Marine Corps. He trained in North Carolina and San Diego. In May 1942, his unit went to Samoa for more training. They then took part in the Battle of Guadalcanal in August 1942. This battle was in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

During a fight on the island of Tulagi, Adams was seriously hurt by a Japanese sniper. He also got a very serious illness called blackwater fever. This illness made his recovery difficult. He was taken to a Navy hospital in New Zealand and stayed there for over a year. He received the Purple Heart medal for his injuries. After he got better, Adams became a Marine Drill Instructor in the United States. He was known as a skilled marksman.

Don Adams' Acting Career

Starting Out in Entertainment

After leaving the Marines in 1945, Adams became a comedian in Florida. He did impressions of famous people. In 1947, he married Adelaide Constance Efantis. She was a singer known as Adelaide Adams. He decided to use her last name, Adams, for his stage name. This was because performers were often called for auditions in alphabetical order. Adams also worked as an artist and cashier to support his family.

His TV career began in 1954. He won a talent show called Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts with his comedy act. In the late 1950s, he appeared many times on The Steve Allen Show. From 1961 to 1963, he was a regular on The Perry Como Show. He also played a funny hotel detective named Byron Glick on The Bill Dana Show (1963–1965).

Becoming Maxwell Smart in Get Smart

Adams and Barbara Feldon as Agent 99 in Get Smart

The TV show Get Smart was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. They wanted to make a funny spy show. It was a spoof of popular spy dramas like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and James Bond movies.

Get Smart was first offered to ABC, but NBC picked it up. Don Adams was cast as Maxwell Smart because he was already working with NBC. When the show started in 1965, it was an instant hit. Barbara Feldon played Agent 99, Max's partner and later wife. They had great on-screen chemistry.

Don Adams gave Maxwell Smart a unique way of speaking. He also created many famous catchphrases. These included "Sorry about that, Chief," "Would you believe...?", and "Missed it by 'that much'". Adams also produced and directed some episodes of the show. He won three Emmy Awards for his role. Get Smart ran for 138 episodes and ended in 1970.

Later Roles and Voice Acting

After Get Smart, Adams wanted to try different kinds of roles. However, he was often seen as only Maxwell Smart. This is called being "typecast." His other live-action shows, like The Partners (1971–1972), were not as successful. He also tried to bring back Get Smart a few times in the 1980s.

Even though he was typecast, Don Adams had great success as a voice actor. He was the voice of the main character in Inspector Gadget. He voiced Gadget in the original TV series (1983–1985) and in later spin-offs like Gadget Boy and Inspector Gadget's Field Trip in the 1990s. He stopped voicing Inspector Gadget in 1999.

Adams also voiced Tennessee Tuxedo in Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (1963–1966). His last roles included Principal Hickey in the cartoon Pepper Ann and Ranger Rudy in a computer game. He also voiced Brain the Dog in the 1999 Inspector Gadget movie.

Personal Life

Don Adams had seven children: Carolyn, Christine, Cathy, Cecily, Stacey, Sean, and Beige. His daughter Cecily passed away in 2004. His son Sean passed away in 2006.

His brother, Richard Paul Yarmy (Dick Yarmy), was also an actor. His sister, Gloria Yarmy Burton, was a writer. Robert Karvelas, who played Agent Larabee on Get Smart, was Don Adams' cousin.

Grave of Don Adams at Hollywood Forever

Death

Don Adams passed away on September 25, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. He had lymphoma (a type of cancer) and a lung infection. His health had gotten worse after his daughter Cecily died.

His friends and family, including Barbara Feldon (Agent 99), spoke at his funeral. He is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Filmography

Film

Television

Images for kids

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  Don Adams as the host of his short-lived game show Don Adams' Screen Test, 1975

See also

In Spanish: Don Adams para niños