David Ketchum


David Ketchum was an American actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in television sitcoms, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Camp Runamuck, and Get Smart.

Life and career

Ketchum was born on February 4, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois. He studied physics at UCLA and joined other UCLA students in entertaining military personnel around the world for the USO.
Ketchum had a radio program for seven years in San Diego, California. On television, he portrayed Counselor Spiffy in Camp Runamuck. He was also a regular on I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, playing the role of Mel Warshaw.
In Get Smart, he played Agent 13, and was often seen in recurring jokes on the show hiding in unusual places such as mailboxes or fire hydrants. Ketchum reprised the role in the 1989 TV movie Get Smart Again as well as an episode of the 1995 revival of Get Smart on Fox. Ketchum also co-wrote one episode of the third season of the original series, titled "Classification: Dead." He also wrote scripts for other programs, including The Andy Griffith Show and Petticoat Junction.
In 1962, his comedy album The Long-Playing Tongue of Dave Ketchum was released. Billboard gave it a 4-star prefix for strong sales potential.
Films in which Ketchum appeared included Young Doctors in Love and The Other Sister.

Death

Ketchum married singer Louise Bryant in 1957 and had two daughters. He died of heart failure on August 10, 2025, in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 97. However, his death was not reported until August 22, 2025.

Selected filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1960–1961The Spike Jones ShowHimself2 episodes
1961AngelUmpire / Repairman2 episodes
1961The Jim Backus ShowDorcy Howard1 episode
1962–1963I’m Dickens, He’s FensterMel Warshaw23 episodes
1963The Real McCoysLou Hicks1 episode
1964The Joey Bishop ShowDr. Mar… / Floorwalker2 episodes
1964The TycoonWorker1 episode
1964The Jack Benny ProgramMr. Thrombry1 episode
1965The MunstersMaster of Ceremonies1 episode
1965Roger RamjetAnnouncer 8 episodes
1965–1966Camp RunamuckSpiffy26 episodes
1966–1967Hey, LandlordDr. Sand… / Haskell the Rascal / Wilson4 episodes
1966–1967Get SmartAgent 1313 episodes
1967The Andy Griffith ShowFred Michaels / Harry Walker2 episodes
1967Good Morning WorldHenry Horn / Bert2 episodes
1967The Carol Burnett ShowGeorge1 episode
1967Accidental FamilyMr. Jennings / Scott2 episodes
1968Petticoat JunctionBuddy Buster1 episode
1968Gomer Pyle: USMCSol Gordon1 episode
1967–1971Green AcresPhotographer / Harvey Schmidlapp2 episodes
1969–1970The Courtship of Eddie’s FatherJoe Kelly3 episodes
1970The Mary Tyler Moore ShowHal1 episode
1968–1970That GirlMan in Restaurant / Harry / Jack Packard3 episodes
1970ArnieGrant1 episode
1969Mod SquadJake Barry1 episode
1969Mayberry R.F.D.Man1 episode
1969–1973Love, American StyleAlfred4 episodes
1972Call HolmeSergeant DobbsTV movie
1972–1973The ABC Saturday Superstar MovieVarious voices2 episodes
1972The Partridge FamilyMr. Phelps1 episode
1971The Odd CoupleJoe / The Cop2 episodes
1971My Three SonsMilton Baxter1 episode
1971The New Dick Van Dyke ShowFred Ross1 episode
1973Thicker Than Water–1 episode
1974MaudeHerman Ellinger1 episode
1975The Fireman’s BallCaptain O’HaraTV movie
1976How to Break Up a Happy DivorceProfessor SchofieldTV movie
1977AliceCarl1 episode
1978Mork & MindyThe Salesman1 episode
1974–1984Happy DaysDonald Hedg… / Coach Pelino / Lt. Col. Binicky5 episodes
1986Perfect StrangersCustomer1 episode
1989Get Smart, Again!Agent 13TV movie
1995Get Smart Agent 131 episode