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Dolph Sweet

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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

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 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).[1] 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.[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

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 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. 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) and Finian's Rainbow (1968) as the Sheriff. He also performed on television through the 1960s and 1970s, including roles on The Defenders, The Edge of Night, Another World as Police Chief Gil McGowan, 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), 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). In addition to film roles, 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 civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

As the 1980s began, Sweet worked steadily in such films as Below the Belt (1980) and Reds (1981), the made-for-television movie Gideon's Trumpet (1980), and television series like 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 season of the legal drama/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 (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.

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 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 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.[1]

Personal life

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

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

  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.
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