Dolph Sweet

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. 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. He joined other prisoners in staffing short plays in the camp, sparking his interest in acting when he returned from the war.

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 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.

Personal life

Sweet married Reba Gillespie while pursuing his master's degree after World War II. The couple had a son together, Jonathon (born ), 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. 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. Sweet's remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet, Dolph
1920 births
1985 deaths
20th-century American male actors
American educators
American male film actors
American male soap opera actors
American male television actors
American prisoners of war in World War II
Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni
Deaths from stomach cancer in California
Military personnel from New York City
Military personnel from New York (state)
Shot-down aviators
United States Army Air Forces officers
United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II
World War II prisoners of war held by Germany