Actor and scriptwriter David Ketchum died earlier this month (August 10) at the age of 97. Perhaps best known for playing Agent 13 Get Smart, Ketchum also starred in one season wonder Camp Runamuck (NBC, 1965-1966) and had a regular role on one season wonder I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster (ABC, 1962-1963).
© 1965 Screen Gems, Inc.
Ketchum got his start as a scriptwriter in 1967 with episodes of Hey, Landlord, Captain Nice, and Get Smart. He went on to write for a wide variety of TV shows, both sitcoms and dramas, including Here’s Lucy, Barefoot in the Park, M*A*S*H, The Six Million Dollar Man, Lucas Tanner, Blansky’s Beauties, Wonder Woman, On Our Own, The Bionic Woman, Happy Days, T.J. Hooker, MacGyver, and Highway to Heaven.
Read my article about Camp Runamuck
According to the Internet Movie Database, Ketchum’s final acting role was in the 1999 movie The Other Sister. Prior to that, he appeared in one episode of FOX’s short-lived Get Smart revival in 1996 and the made-for-TV movie Get Smart, Again! on ABC in 1989. His final credit as a scriptwriter was a 1990 episode of Full House.
Obituaries can be found at Deadline Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, and The New York Times.
I have vague memories of watching Camp Runamuck when I was seven, and enjoyed it. I was older when I watched Get Smart and thought it hilarious. Alas, I haven’t seen either series in decades, so have no distinct memories of David Ketchum, but I know his acting was a pleasant part of my childhood. And, though I don’t pay attention to who wrote series episodes, I’m sure his writing added enjoyment to my adult life.
notice david Ketchum steered clear /of other competing venues in his prime?? he never crossed into Phyllis diller territories on Friday nites for example….//…..but was he behind the scenes as a gag writer>>>I recall blabbing years ago about david swift. who cast Ketchum in camp runamuck for a reason…..gooffiness sells! I’ll check if ketchum even ever appeared in pistols & petticoats at that same time………..*
even at this later date/ most bios of Ketchum failed to include his unforgettable/ defining roll In David Swifts; GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM,,, a cult of the summer camp movie night roster in the 60s…along with All HANDS ON DECK w Pat Boone.—Barbrara Eden –and Buddy Hackette,,,*,Zotz! with Tom Pston.—-these all defined the brief Kennedy era to a rea…