Edward Platt

Edward C. Platt (February 14, 1916 – March 19, 1974) was an American character actor best known for his portrayal of "The Chief" in the 1965-70 NBC/CBS television series "Get Smart". With his deep voice and mature countenance, he played an eclectic mix of characters over the span of his career.

Early life

Platt was born in Staten Island, New York. He studied at Princeton University, majoring in romance languages, but switched to study music at Juilliard with the intention of having a career as an opera singer. Before the US joined World War II, he sang in a band with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra performing in such musicals as "The Pirates of Penzance" and "The Mikado". During his time in the US Army, he served as a radio operator. After the war, he continued to appear on radio.

tage, film and television career

He debuted on Broadway in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Allegro". He landed his first film due to help from José Ferrer who performed with him in the Broadway play "The Shrike". Ferrer and Platt played the same parts in the film version in 1955. Also in 1955 he appeared in "Rebel Without a Cause" starring James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. Platt returned to Broadway in 1958 with the musical "Oh, Captain!" playing a romantic role. In 1959, he played Cary Grant's attorney in "North by Northwest".

Platt also appeared in episodes of the original "Perry Mason", "Bonanza" & "The Twilight Zone". His most famous role came in the 1960s when he accepted the role of "Chief" in the spy comedy television show "Get Smart". He played various cameos after the series ended.

Death

Platt was believed to have died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 58, though in 2007, his son Jeff revealed a long-held secret. In August 2007, a "Get Smart" fan website published an interview with Jeff Platt in which he stated that his father had died as a result of a suicide, caused by depression and financial difficulties. [ [http://www.wouldyoubelieve.com/platt.html Edward Platt] from Wouldyoubelieve.com] He left four children from two marriages and a brother living in Santa Barbara, California.

Partial filmography

* "The Shrike" (1955)
* "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955)
* "Storm Center" (1956)
* "The Great Man" (1956)
* "Written on the Wind" (1956)
* "Omar Khayyam" (1956)
* "Designing Woman" (1957)
* "The Rebel Set" (1959)
* "North by Northwest" (1959)
* "Texas John Slaughter: The Man from Bitter Creek" (1959)
* "Pollyanna" (1960)
* "Atlantis, the Lost Continent" (1961)
* "Cape Fear" (1962)
* "Black Zoo" (1963)
* "The Man from Button Willow" (1974)

References

External links

*
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5811788 Photo]
*
* [http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/1340966-edward-platt "Chief" places 6th on Great Secondary TV Characters list]