David Ketchum, the actor best known for playing Agent 13 on Get Smart and a television writer whose credits included M*A*S*H, died on August 10, 2025. He was 97, according to published obituaries.
Who was David Ketchum?
Ketchum was born in Quincy, Illinois, on February 4, 1928. The Television Academy biography records his birth and death dates and describes a career that spanned acting and television writing.
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Get Smart: The Complete Series (Viva SC/Rpkg/DVD) | $58.09 | Buy on Amazon |
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Why is he remembered as Agent 13?
Agent 13 was Ketchum’s best-known acting role: a recurring Get Smart character concealed in cramped and unexpected places, including a mailbox. The A.V. Club reports that Ketchum took over the role in 1966 and appeared in 13 episodes of the original series. He later played Agent 13 again in the 1989 television movie Get Smart, Again! and in the 1995 revival, according to its obituary.
The part was one of several acting credits. The Television Academy also lists Ketchum’s work on I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster and Camp Runamuck.
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What was his connection to M*A*S*H?
Ketchum also built a substantial career as a television writer. The Television Academy says he wrote for more than four dozen series, including M*A*S*H, Happy Days and Love, American Style.
Legacy News Staff connects Ketchum’s Writers Guild of America nomination to “Tuttle,” the M*A*S*H episode he co-wrote with Bruce Shelly. That account describes a nomination, not a win; see the Legacy obituary for its career summary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did his family say?
In a statement reproduced by The A.V. Club, Ketchum’s family remembered his humor and television legacy: “He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth and timeless television moments — reminding us all that sometimes, the simplest surprise (like someone perched in a mailbox) can yield the biggest smile.”
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