What is Don Adams's Net Worth?
Don Adams was an American actor and comedian who had a net worth of $4 million at the time of his death in 2005, which adjusts to about $6 million today. He is renowned for his role as Maxwell Smart on the iconic television sitcom "Get Smart". Beyond this, Adams voiced popular characters in animated series like "Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales," "Inspector Gadget," and "Pepper Ann." His career spanned various notable shows including "The Partners" and "Check it Out!".
Early Life
Don Adams was born Donald Yarmy on April 13, 1923, in New York City to parents Consuelo and William. With Irish-American lineage from his mother and Hungarian-Jewish roots from his father, Don had a multicultural upbringing. Don was raised in his mother's Catholic faith, while his brother Dick was brought up in the Jewish faith of their father. The siblings had an older sister named Gloria.
Education and Military Service
Adams attended DeWitt Clinton High School but dropped out to work as a theater usher. In late 1941, he joined the US Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego. In 1942, he and his unit were sent to Samoa and participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Contracting blackwater fever, Adams spent over a year hospitalized in New Zealand. After recovering, he returned to the US as a Marine drill instructor and was discharged in 1945.
Career Beginnings
Post his military discharge, Adams worked briefly in a Florida strip club as a comic but was fired for refusing to perform obscene material. He then found work as a commercial artist and restaurant cashier. His break came in 1954 when he won on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" with a comedy act penned by his friend Bill Dana. By the late 1950s, he made appearances on "The Steve Allen Show" and starred as Byron Glick in "The Bill Dana Show" from 1963 to 1964.
Get Smart
Adams shot to fame in 1965 as Maxwell Smart on the NBC sitcom "Get Smart," created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The show, a comedic take on spy dramas like "The Avengers" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," featured Adams as a clumsy secret agent alongside Barbara Feldon's Agent 99. Running for five seasons until 1970, "Get Smart" earned Adams four Emmy nominations, winning twice, and inspired various films and series.
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Further Television Career
Following "Get Smart," Adams played Detective Sergeant Lennie Crooke in "The Partners." He hosted "Don Adams' Screen Test" from 1975 to 1976, where contestants acted out film scenes. He also appeared on "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island" in the late '70s and early '80s. From 1985 to 1988, he starred in the Canadian sitcom "Check it Out!" as Howard Bannister.
Adams was also acclaimed for voicing animated characters, starting with the penguin in "Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales" from 1963 to 1966. From 1983 to 1985, he voiced the titular character in "Inspector Gadget," reprising the role in "Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas" and "Inspector Gadget's Field Trip." Additionally, he voiced Gadget Boy in "Gadget Boy & Heather". His final role was Principal Hickey in "Pepper Ann" from 1997 to 2000.
Personal Life and Death
Adams married three times, divorcing each, and had seven children. He wed singer Adelaide Efantis in 1947, adopting her surname for his stage name. The marriage ended in 1960. He married actress Dorothy Bracken and divorced in 1976. His third marriage to actress Judy Luciano lasted from 1977 to 1990.
Don Adams passed away from lymphoma and lung infection on September 25, 2005, at age 82. His funeral was attended by close friends and collaborators, including Barbara Feldon, James Caan, Bill Dana, and Don Rickles.
