Jump to content

Dolph Sweet: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Filmography: You all talk about how the man was in Gimme A Break! in the intro paragraph of his profile and you don’t have it listed in his filmography! I added it, not sure how you connect it to the Gimme A Break! page so I couldn’t do it. If whoever reads this could, that would be great. Thank you.
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American actor (1920-1985)}}
{{short description|American actor (1920–1985)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Dolph Sweet
| name = Dolph Sweet
Line 6: Line 6:
| birth_name = Adolphus Jean Sweet
| birth_name = Adolphus Jean Sweet
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|7|18}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|7|18}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1985|5|8|1920|7|18}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1985|5|8|1920|7|18}}
| death_place = [[Tarzana, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Tarzana, California]], U.S.
Line 18: Line 18:
}}
}}


'''Adolphus Jean Sweet''' (July 18, 1920 – May 8, 1985) was an American actor, credited with nearly 60 television and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including performances on [[Broadway theater|Broadway]]. He often played policemen throughout his career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and father Carl Kanisky, on the [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'', from 1981 until his death in May 1985.
'''Adolphus Jean Sweet''' (July 18, 1920 – May 8, 1985) was an American actor credited with nearly 60 television and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including performances on [[Broadway theater|Broadway]]. He often played policemen throughout his career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and father Carl Kanisky on the [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'' from 1981 until his death in May 1985.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Sweet was born in New York City, New York. In 1939, he attended the [[University of Alabama]]; however, he was called away from his education for a tour of duty in [[World War II]] with the [[44th Fighter Group|44th Bombardment Group (Heavy)]] of the [[Eighth Air Force]], where the young [[Second Lieutenant]] served as a [[navigator]] on [[B-24 Liberator]] bomber aircraft. During his service, he was shot down over [[Romania]] while flying on [[Operation Tidal Wave]], and subsequently spent two years as a [[prisoner of war]] (POW).<ref name=APObit>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/84a6bde54336f1eda433e4d6e2f9f14f |title=Dolph Sweet: Star of TV's 'Gimme A Break' Dies |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=1985-05-10 |access-date=2020-10-01}}</ref> He joined other POWs in putting on short plays in the prison camp, leading to an interest in acting when he returned from the war.<ref name=APObit/>
Sweet was born in New York City. In 1939, he attended the [[University of Alabama]] but interrupted his studies to serve a tour of duty in [[World War II]] with the [[44th Fighter Group|44th Bombardment Group (Heavy)]] of the [[Eighth Air Force]] as a [[second lieutenant]] and [[navigator]] on [[B-24 Liberator]] bomber aircraft. His plane was downed over [[Romania]] during [[Operation Tidal Wave]] and he subsequently spent two years as a [[prisoner of war]].<ref name=APObit>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/84a6bde54336f1eda433e4d6e2f9f14f |title=Dolph Sweet: Star of TV's 'Gimme A Break' Dies |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=1985-05-10 |access-date=2020-10-01}}</ref> He joined other prisoners in staffing short plays in the camp, sparking his interest in acting when he returned from the war.<ref name=APObit/>


After the war, he played semi-professional football and boxed while earning his [[master's degree]] in English and comparative drama from [[Columbia University]].
After the war, he played semi-professional football and boxed while earning his [[master's degree]] in English and comparative drama from [[Columbia University]].


==Career==
==Career==
Upon graduation, Sweet took a job teaching at [[Barnard College]], rising to head of the drama department during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties shortly after making his [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] debut, at age 40, in a 1961 production of ''Rhinoceros'', starring [[Zero Mostel]].
Upon graduation, Sweet took a teaching job at [[Barnard College]], rising to head of the drama department during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties shortly after making his [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] debut at age 40 in a 1961 production of ''Rhinoceros'', starring [[Zero Mostel]].


Sweet landed his first major film role that same year, in the 1961 film ''[[The Young Doctors (film)|The Young Doctors]]''. He went on to make numerous appearances in films such as ''[[You're a Big Boy Now]]'' (1966), ''[[A Lovely Way to Die]]'' (1968), ''[[The Swimmer (1968 film)|The Swimmer]]'' (1968) and ''[[Finian's Rainbow (1968 film)|Finian's Rainbow]]'' (1968) as the Sheriff. He also performed on television through the 1960s and 1970s, including roles on ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[The Edge of Night]]'', ''[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'' as Police Chief Gil McGowan, and ''[[Dark Shadows]]''.
Sweet landed his first major film role in ''[[The Young Doctors (film)|The Young Doctors]]'' (1961). He made appearances in films such as ''[[You're a Big Boy Now]]'' (1966), ''[[A Lovely Way to Die]]'' (1968), ''[[The Swimmer (1968 film)|The Swimmer]]'' (1968) and ''[[Finian's Rainbow (1968 film)|Finian's Rainbow]]'' (1968). He also performed on television through the 1960s and 1970s, including roles on ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]'', ''[[The Edge of Night]]'', ''[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'' and ''[[Dark Shadows]]''.


Through the 1970s he was much in demand, with roles in films such as ''[[Colossus: The Forbin Project]]'' (1970), ''[[The Out-of-Towners (1970 film)|The Out-of-Towners]]'' (1970), ''[[The New Centurions]]'' (1972), ''[[Fear Is the Key (film)|Fear Is the Key]]'' (1972), ''[[Sisters (1973 film)|Sisters]]'' (1972), ''[[Cops and Robbers (1973 film)|Cops and Robbers]]'' (1973), ''[[The Lords of Flatbush]]'' (1974), ''[[Amazing Grace (1974 film)|Amazing Grace]]'' (1974), ''[[The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training]]'' (1977), ''[[Which Way Is Up?]]'' (1977), ''[[Go Tell the Spartans]]'' (1978), ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978) and ''[[The Wanderers (1979 film)|The Wanderers]]'' (1979). In addition to film roles, he also had guest starring roles on ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' and ''[[Columbo (TV series)#Spin-off|Mrs. Columbo]]''. He had a notable role as [[FBI]] director [[J. Edgar Hoover]] in the 1978 television miniseries ''[[King (TV miniseries)|King]]'', based on the life of [[civil rights]] leader [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]
Through the 1970s, Sweet took roles in films such as ''[[Colossus: The Forbin Project]]'' (1970), ''[[The Out-of-Towners (1970 film)|The Out-of-Towners]]'' (1970), ''[[The New Centurions]]'' (1972), ''[[Fear Is the Key (film)|Fear Is the Key]]'' (1972), ''[[Sisters (1973 film)|Sisters]]'' (1972), ''[[Cops and Robbers (1973 film)|Cops and Robbers]]'' (1973), ''[[The Lords of Flatbush]]'' (1974), ''[[Amazing Grace (1974 film)|Amazing Grace]]'' (1974), ''[[The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training]]'' (1977), ''[[Which Way Is Up?]]'' (1977), ''[[Go Tell the Spartans]]'' (1978), ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978) and ''[[The Wanderers (1979 film)|The Wanderers]]'' (1979). He also had guest-starring roles on ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' and ''[[Columbo (TV series)#Spin-off|Mrs. Columbo]]''. He had a notable role as [[FBI]] director [[J. Edgar Hoover]] in the 1978 television miniseries ''[[King (TV miniseries)|King]]'', based on the life of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]


As the 1980s began, Sweet worked steadily in such films as ''Below the Belt'' (1980) and ''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' (1981), the made-for-television movie ''[[Gideon's Trumpet (film)|Gideon's Trumpet]]'' (1980), and television series like ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'' and ''[[Hart to Hart]]''.
As the 1980s began, Sweet worked steadily in films such as ''Below the Belt'' (1980) and ''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' (1981), the made-for-television movie ''[[Gideon's Trumpet (film)|Gideon's Trumpet]]'' (1980) and television series such as ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'' and ''[[Hart to Hart]]''.


In addition to his numerous guest roles on episodes of various television series, Sweet had a recurring role, as a policeman, in the single [[1965–66 United States network television schedule|1965–66 season]] of the [[legal drama]]/[[situation comedy|comedy]] ''[[The Trials of O'Brien]]''. He was well known for his recurring role as policeman Gil McGowan, third husband of Ada Davis (later Hobson), on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'' (1972–1977). In keeping with his cop roles, Sweet also voiced the character of Manhattan Subway Transit Police Captain Costello in the 1974 film ''[[The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974 film)|The Taking of Pelham One Two Three]]''.
Sweet had a recurring role as a policeman in the single [[1965–66 United States network television schedule|1965–66 season]] of the [[legal drama]]/[[situation comedy|comedy]] ''[[The Trials of O'Brien]]''. He was also known for his recurring role as policeman Gil McGowan on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'' (1972–1977). Sweet also voiced the character of transit-police captain Costello in the 1974 film ''[[The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974 film)|The Taking of Pelham One Two Three]]''.


Sweet's best known television character was his series co-lead role as police chief and father Carl Kanisky, who was constantly at odds with housekeeper [[Nell Carter]], on the [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Gimme a Break!]]''. Sweet appeared in this role from 1981 until his death. Sweet was diagnosed with [[cancer]] during the series' fourth season, but he continued to work. The final episode of the fourth season aired on May 11, 1985, three days after he died, and just a few hours after his funeral.<ref name=APObit/>
Sweet's best-known television character was police chief and father Carl Kanisky, employer of housekeeper [[Nell Carter]], on the [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Gimme a Break!]]''. Sweet appeared in this role from 1981 until his death.
Sweet underwent unsuccessful abdominal surgery in the summer of 1984 and was diagnosed with [[stomach cancer]] during the fourth season of ''Gimme a Break'', but he continued to work. The final episode of the fourth season aired on May 11, 1985, three days after he died, and just a few hours after his funeral.<ref name=APObit/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Line 54: Line 56:
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[You're a Big Boy Now]]'' || Patrolman Francis Graf ||
| 1966 || ''[[You're a Big Boy Now]]'' || Patrolman Francis Graf ||
|-
| 1967-1968 || ''[[The Edge of Night]]'' || Harry Constable ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[A Lovely Way to Die]]'' || Captain Haver ||
| 1968 || ''[[A Lovely Way to Die]]'' || Captain Haver ||
Line 68: Line 72:
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''[[The Telephone Book]]'' || Obscene-Caller ||
| 1971 || ''[[The Telephone Book]]'' || Obscene-Caller ||
|-
| 1972-1977 || ''|[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'' || Gil McGowan ||
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''[[The New Centurions]]'' || Sergeant Runyon ||
| 1972 || ''[[The New Centurions]]'' || Sergeant Runyon ||
Line 90: Line 96:
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' || Head Coach ||
| 1978 || ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' || Head Coach ||
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Angie (TV series)|Angie]]'' || The Sheriff ||
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[The Wanderers (1979 film)|The Wanderers]]'' || "Chubby" Galasso ||
| 1979 || ''[[The Wanderers (1979 film)|The Wanderers]]'' || "Chubby" Galasso ||
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''Below the Belt'' || LeRoi ||
| 1980 || ''Below the Belt'' || LeRoi ||
|-
| 1980 || ''[[When the Whistle Blows]]'' || Norm Jenkins ||
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' || Bill "Big Bill" Haywood ||
| 1981 || ''[[Reds (film)|Reds]]'' || Bill "Big Bill" Haywood ||
Line 99: Line 109:
| 1981 || ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' || Ed Perkins ||
| 1981 || ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' || Ed Perkins ||
|-
|-
| 1981 || Gimme A Break! || Carl Kanisky ||
| 1981-1985 || ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'' || Carl Kanisky ||
|}
|}


Line 112: Line 122:
* {{TCMDb name|187658}}
* {{TCMDb name|187658}}
* {{Iobdb name|20524}}
* {{Iobdb name|20524}}
* {{Find a Grave}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 124: Line 133:
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American prisoners of war in World War II]]
[[Category:American prisoners of war in World War II]]
[[Category:Columbia University alumni]]
[[Category:Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer]]
[[Category:Military personnel from New York City]]
[[Category:Military personnel from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces officers]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces officers]]

Latest revision as of 02:54, 15 March 2024

Dolph Sweet
Born
Adolphus Jean Sweet

(1920-07-18)July 18, 1920
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 8, 1985(1985-05-08) (aged 64)
Tarzana, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Professor, Actor
Years activeActor: 1961–1985
Spouses
Reba Gillespie
​
(div. 1973)​
Iris Braun
​
(m. 1974)​
Children1

Adolphus Jean Sweet (July 18, 1920 – May 8, 1985) was an American actor credited with nearly 60 television and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including performances on Broadway. He often played policemen throughout his career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and father Carl Kanisky on the sitcom Gimme a Break! from 1981 until his death in May 1985.

Early life

[edit]

Sweet was born in New York City. In 1939, he attended the University of Alabama but interrupted his studies to serve a tour of duty in World War II with the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force as a second lieutenant and navigator on B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft. His plane was downed over Romania during Operation Tidal Wave and he subsequently spent two years as a prisoner of war.[1] He joined other prisoners in staffing short plays in the camp, sparking his interest in acting when he returned from the war.[1]

After the war, he played semi-professional football and boxed while earning his master's degree in English and comparative drama from Columbia University.

Career

[edit]

Upon graduation, Sweet took a teaching job at Barnard College, rising to head of the drama department during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties shortly after making his Broadway debut at age 40 in a 1961 production of Rhinoceros, starring Zero Mostel.

Sweet landed his first major film role in The Young Doctors (1961). He made appearances in films such as You're a Big Boy Now (1966), A Lovely Way to Die (1968), The Swimmer (1968) and Finian's Rainbow (1968). He also performed on television through the 1960s and 1970s, including roles on The Defenders, The Edge of Night, Another World and Dark Shadows.

Through the 1970s, Sweet took roles in films such as Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970), The Out-of-Towners (1970), The New Centurions (1972), Fear Is the Key (1972), Sisters (1972), Cops and Robbers (1973), The Lords of Flatbush (1974), Amazing Grace (1974), The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977), Which Way Is Up? (1977), Go Tell the Spartans (1978), Heaven Can Wait (1978) and The Wanderers (1979). He also had guest-starring roles on Little House on the Prairie and Mrs. Columbo. He had a notable role as FBI director J. Edgar Hoover in the 1978 television miniseries King, based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

As the 1980s began, Sweet worked steadily in films such as Below the Belt (1980) and Reds (1981), the made-for-television movie Gideon's Trumpet (1980) and television series such as Hill Street Blues and Hart to Hart.

Sweet had a recurring role as a policeman in the single 1965–66 season of the legal drama/comedy The Trials of O'Brien. He was also known for his recurring role as policeman Gil McGowan on the soap opera Another World (1972–1977). Sweet also voiced the character of transit-police captain Costello in the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Sweet's best-known television character was police chief and father Carl Kanisky, employer of housekeeper Nell Carter, on the sitcom Gimme a Break!. Sweet appeared in this role from 1981 until his death.

Sweet underwent unsuccessful abdominal surgery in the summer of 1984 and was diagnosed with stomach cancer during the fourth season of Gimme a Break, but he continued to work. The final episode of the fourth season aired on May 11, 1985, three days after he died, and just a few hours after his funeral.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Sweet married Reba Gillespie while pursuing his master's degree after World War II. The couple had a son together, Jonathon (born c. 1952), before they divorced in 1973. In 1974, Sweet married Iris Braun.

Sweet died from stomach cancer at Tarzana Hospital in Tarzana, California, on May 8, 1985, survived by his wife and son.[2] His Gimme a Break! co-star, Nell Carter, gave the eulogy at his funeral on May 11, and recorded a short eulogy to air that same night, at the start of the show's final episode for the season.[1] Sweet's remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.[3]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1961 The Young Doctors Police Car Driver
1966 You're a Big Boy Now Patrolman Francis Graf
1967-1968 The Edge of Night Harry Constable
1968 A Lovely Way to Die Captain Haver
1968 The Swimmer Henry Biswanger
1968 Finian's Rainbow Sheriff
1969 The Lost Man Police Captain
1970 Colossus: The Forbin Project Missile Commander
1970 The Out-of-Towners Police Sergeant
1971 The Telephone Book Obscene-Caller
1972-1977 Another World Gil McGowan
1972 The New Centurions Sergeant Runyon
1972 Sisters Detective Kelly
1972 Fear Is the Key Jablonsky
1973 Cops and Robbers George
1974 The Lords of Flatbush Mr. Rosiello
1974 Amazing Grace Mayor Scott
1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Police Captain Costello Uncredited voice
1977 The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training Mr. Manning
1977 Which Way Is Up? The Boss
1978 Go Tell the Spartans General Harnitz
1978 Heaven Can Wait Head Coach
1978 Angie The Sheriff
1979 The Wanderers "Chubby" Galasso
1980 Below the Belt LeRoi
1980 When the Whistle Blows Norm Jenkins
1981 Reds Bill "Big Bill" Haywood
1981 Hart to Hart Ed Perkins
1981-1985 Gimme a Break! Carl Kanisky

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Dolph Sweet: Star of TV's 'Gimme A Break' Dies". Associated Press. 1985-05-10. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  2. ^ "'Gimme A Break' Star Dolph Sweet". Chicago Tribune. United Press International. 1985-05-10. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  3. ^ Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 729. ISBN 9780786479924.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Dolph_Sweet&oldid=1213781337"