Some performers depart an indelible mark on audiences, even if they aren’t the leads. Edward Platt, known to fans as “The Chief” from Get Smart, became indispensable to the show simply by winning over viewers with his memorable portrayal. The calm and serious figure, always impeccably dressed and ready to assign a mission to Maxwell Smart, was far more than a supporting actor; he was the perfect counterpoint and emotional anchor for a spy comedy that resonated with generations.
Born February 14, 1916, in Staten Island, New York, Platt grew up in Kentucky, where his family owned a tobacco farm. He was named Edward in honor of an uncle who died in World War I. From a young age, he showed an interest in music—a passion inherited from his mother—and even studied at the Juilliard School. He was a low-baritone opera singer, and seemed destined to dedicate his life to that pursuit. However, fate had other plans. His artistic pursuits were interrupted when he served in the army as a radio operator during World War II.
Platt nació en Nueva York en 1916
After the war, Platt’s tastes shifted, and he decided to pursue acting. He studied Romance Languages at Princeton, where he met Puerto Rican actor José Ferrer, who helped him take his first steps in the world of show business. He began his career with small roles on Broadway and then transitioned to film. He appeared in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, and Rock, Pretty Baby (1956), as well as playing the lawyer for Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959). He also had guest appearances on the series Bonanza and The Twilight Zone.
James Dean junto a Edward Platt en la película de 1955, Rebelde sin causa (Foto: IMBD)
By the mid-1960s, a series arrived on American television that would become a landmark for many: Get Smart. The show, which depicted the adventures (and misadventures) of agent Maxwell Smart and his partner, Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon), premiered on September 18, 1965, and ran for five seasons: the first four on NBC and the last on CBS. The show’s popularity, fueled by its clever parody of the spy genre, quickly captivated audiences.
El Superagente 86 se emitió durante cinco temporadas
Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, the successful parody of a secret agent constantly getting into trouble during missions spanned 138 episodes. Platt, as the Chief of CONTROL—the agency battling the organization KAOS, which sought to take over the world—brought a delightful seriousness to the show. His character had to endure Smart’s ineptitude, always apologizing for his clumsiness with the same phrase: “Sorry about that, Chief.” But that patience wasn’t just fiction, as Platt was often the one who maintained composure on set when everyone burst into laughter at Adams’ improvisations.
In one episode, the writers capitalized on his lyrical training to have The Chief sing on screen, demonstrating that he had never completely abandoned his passion for opera. It was one of the few times the character showed a personal side, as when his biggest mystery was revealed: while always known by his title, his first name was Theodore.
Edward Platt en Rock, Pretty Baby, película de 1956
After turning 40, he had built a solid career in film and theater, though his widespread popularity was yet to come.
The camaraderie between Adams and Platt was evident on camera and extended beyond it. Seeing them in scenes with the “cone of silence”—that device designed to ensure the confidentiality of their conversations, but which always failed and forced them to shout to hear each other—only confirmed their excellent chemistry as a duo. Producer Leonard Stern chose Platt for the role. “He turned out to be irreplaceable. You rarely say that about an actor, but there was something innate in Ed, a paternal patience,” he revealed in a 2000 interview.
His years on television brought Platt significant popularity and allowed him to achieve something he hadn’t imagined: the affection of the public. He was recognized on the street and asked for autographs. He wasn’t just part of a success, but believed it would last forever. “The series is pure joy. If the producers ever find out I’m having this much fun, they’re going to want me to pay *them*!” he told Inside TV, describing how much he enjoyed being on set.
His character grew season after season, so much so that starting with the second season, his name appeared in the opening credits, behind Adams and Feldon. As Platt enjoyed fame and widespread recognition, he also spoke of his fears. During an interview with TV Guide, he expressed, “I think if Get Smart is canceled, I’m going to die a little; something will go out of me.”
Though luck remained on his side for a long time, the magic didn’t last forever. By the fifth season, viewership had declined, the numbers no longer supported the program, and when it came to business, public affection couldn’t save it. That’s how the series came to an complete. When the set lights went out for the last time, a part of Platt went out with it. He also experienced what happens to so many actors: he became typecast. The same character that he loved, that brought him popularity and catapulted him to a success he believed would be endless, was ultimately what destroyed him.
El Superagente 86 tuvo 138 episodios
When the decision was made to end the series, he faced the challenge of finding a place elsewhere. Married twice and a father of four, his fame gradually faded and the phone stopped ringing. Job offers became increasingly sporadic, which affected his mood and isolated him from his surroundings and the world.
However, he didn’t abandon his dreams. In 1973, he raised funds to produce one of the first independent feature films shot entirely on video: Santee, starring Glenn Ford. It was clear that he wanted to remain relevant in the world of show business at all costs.
On March 19, 1974, one of his sons went to his apartment in Santa Monica, California, worried because he hadn’t been answering his calls. When he arrived, no one answered the door. He called the police, who entered and found Platt dead. He was 58 years old.
Although initially his loved ones said he had suffered a heart attack—and that’s what the press reported—the truth behind his death was far more painful: he had decided to take his own life.
Al referirse a la causa de muerte de Platt, la prensa dijo que se trató de un ataque al corazón
Jeff, one of his sons, confirmed this in 2007, more than three decades after the actor’s death: he committed suicide due to depression and lack of function, which led to financial difficulties. He was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Platt se casó dos veces y tuvo cuatro hijos
During an interview years ago, Barbara Feldon, Agent 99, remembered Platt fondly: “He was a gentleman, very talented and sweet. He had tremendous sensitivity and was very professional. He was the anchor of the show, he was wonderful. But we didn’t socialize much; you get to know the person, but you don’t know the details of their life; that’s common in series.”
The truth about his final moments remained secret for so long that even his castmates were unaware of it for decades. That silence only amplified the myth of a man who, with the same composure as his character, fought the great battle of his life away from the lights and cameras.
For nostalgic fans of retro series, the tragedy doesn’t diminish the legacy. Watching an episode of Get Smart is synonymous with laughter and a refuge where the memory of Platt triumphs over oblivion. In those moments, he becomes, if only for a while, The Chief.
