Edward Platt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Platt
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| Born |
Edward Cuthbert Platt
February 14, 1916 Staten Island, New York, U.S.
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| Died | March 19, 1974 (aged 58) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Juilliard School |
| Years active | 1941–1974 |
| Spouse(s) |
Suzanne Belcher
(m. 1954; div. 1973) |
| Children | 4 |
Edward Cuthbert Platt (born February 14, 1916 – died March 19, 1974) was an American actor. He is best known for playing "the Chief" in the TV show Get Smart. This popular series aired from 1965 to 1970. With his deep voice and serious look, he played many different types of characters throughout his career.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Edward Platt was born in Staten Island, New York. He spent parts of his childhood in Kentucky and upstate New York. He went to the Northwood School, a private school in Lake Placid. There, he was part of the ski jump team. He also studied at the famous Juilliard School, which is known for music and performing arts. He attended Princeton University for a short time. During World War II, he served in the United States Army.
Acting Career
Edward Platt had a powerful voice and was trained as an opera singer. He first appeared on Broadway in the musical Allegro. His first movie role was in the 1955 film The Shrike. Also in 1955, he appeared in the classic movie Rebel Without a Cause, which starred James Dean.
He returned to Broadway in 1958 in the musical Oh, Captain!. In 1959, he played Cary Grant's lawyer in the movie North by Northwest.
Platt also appeared in many TV shows. Some of these included Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Twilight Zone.
His most famous role was playing "the Chief" in the spy comedy TV series Get Smart. In this show, he was the serious boss of a secret agent named Maxwell Smart. After Get Smart ended in 1970, he had a role in the comedy series The Governor & J.J.. He also made guest appearances in other comedies like Bewitched and The Odd Couple.
Work as a Producer
In 1973, Edward Platt helped produce a movie called Santee. This film was special because it was one of the first movies made entirely using video cameras and tape recorders. The video was then transferred to film for showing in theaters. However, the movie was not a big success.
Death
Edward Platt passed away on March 19, 1974, in his Santa Monica apartment. He was 58 years old.
Selected Film and Television Roles
Edward Platt had a long career with many roles. Here are some of his notable appearances:
Films:
- 1955: The Shrike as Harry Downs
- 1955: Rebel Without a Cause as Ray Fremick
- 1956: Written on the Wind as Dr. Paul Cochrane
- 1959: North by Northwest as Victor Larrabee
- 1960: Pollyanna as Ben Tarbell
- 1962: Cape Fear as Judge
Television Series:
- 1955: Gunsmoke as Mr. Burgess
- 1959: Wagon Train as Matthew Sinclair
- 1959: Rawhide as Jason Clark
- 1960: Perry Mason as Cmdr. Driscoll
- 1960-1963: Bonanza in various roles
- 1961: The Twilight Zone as The Doctor
- 1963: The Outer Limits as Dean Radcliffe
- 1965-1970: Get Smart as Chief of CONTROL (Main cast)
- 1970: Bewitched as Jennings Booker
- 1971: The Odd Couple as Bill Donnelly
See also
In Spanish: Edward Platt para niños
