David Ketchum

1928 - 2025

David Ketchum obituary, 1928-2025, Thousand Oaks, CA

David Ketchum

1928 - 2025

BORN

1928

DIED

2025

David Ketchum Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 27 to Aug. 28, 2025.
David Ketchum, the actor and television writer best known for his role as Agent 13 on Get Smart, died August 10, 2025, in Thousand Oaks, California. He was 97.

Ketchum was born February 4, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois. As a college student at UCLA, he worked with the USO to help entertain American troops around the world. After hosting a radio program in San Diego for seven years, he broke into television in the early 1960s, playing Mel Warshaw on "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster" and Spiffy on "Camp Runamuck."

In 1966, Ketchum took over the role of Agent 13 on "Get Smart," appearing in 13 episodes. He reprised it in the 1989 TV movie "Get Smart, Again!" and the 1995 revival.

Ketchum was also a prolific television writer. His credits include episodes for "M*A*S*H," "MacGyver," "Full House," "The Love Boat," "The Bionic Woman," "Wonder Woman," and "The Six Million Dollar Man." He co-wrote an episode of Get Smart titled "Classification: Dead," and the M*A*S*H episode "Tuttle" earned him a Writer's Guild of America Award nomination.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: Disney via Getty Images)

Sign David Ketchum's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 9, 2025

Lori Harper Ross posted to the memorial.

October 9, 2025

Jill Ezell posted to the memorial.

September 1, 2025

Tony Spirito posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Lori Harper Ross

October 9, 2025

Condolences from the Family of Jerry Harper. Our dad loved the Antics, and flying planes with Dave as young men before marriage. Dave and Dad were Best friends . Dad always spoke of their youth together !
Sincere condolences in your loss of Dave.

Jill Ezell

October 9, 2025

My dad was a good friend of Dave´s. Growing up we called him Uncle Dave. Dad (Jerry Harper) did skits with him on his radio program and they bought a small airplane together.
Sorry to hear of his passing, condolences to Louise and family!

Tony Spirito

September 1, 2025

Michael

August 27, 2025

Our condolences to family, friends and fans. He always enjoyed M*A*S*H and his artistic work Michael Crosswhite and Jon Atkinson.

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Sign David Ketchum's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 9, 2025

Lori Harper Ross posted to the memorial.

October 9, 2025

Jill Ezell posted to the memorial.

September 1, 2025

Tony Spirito posted to the memorial.