Dolph Sweet

Dolph Sweet
Born	Adolphus Jean Sweet (1920-07-18)July 18, 1920 New York City,U.S.
Died	May 8, 1985(1985-05-08)(aged 64) Tarzana, California,U.S.
Occupation(s)	Professor,Actor
Years active	Actor: 1961–1985
Spouses	Reba Gillespie ​ (div.1973)​ Iris Braun ​ (m.1974)​
Children	1

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 onBroadway.He often played policemen throughout his career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and father Carl Kanisky on thesitcomGimme a Break!from 1981 until his death in May 1985.

Early life

Sweet was born in New York City. In 1939, he attended theUniversity of Alabamabut interrupted his studies to serve a tour of duty inWorld War IIwith the44th Bombardment Group (Heavy)of theEighth Air Forceas asecond lieutenantandnavigatoronB-24 Liberatorbomber aircraft. His plane was downed overRomaniaduringOperation Tidal Waveand he subsequently spent two years as aprisoner 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 hismaster's degreein English and comparative drama fromColumbia University.

Career

Upon graduation, Sweet took a teaching job atBarnard College,rising to head of the drama department during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties shortly after making hisBroadwaydebut at age 40 in a 1961 production ofRhinoceros,starringZero Mostel.

Sweet landed his first major film role inThe Young Doctors(1961). He made appearances in films such asYou're a Big Boy Now(1966),A Lovely Way to Die(1968),The Swimmer(1968) andFinian's Rainbow(1968). He also performed on television through the 1960s and 1970s, including roles onThe Defenders,The Edge of Night,Another WorldandDark Shadows.

Through the 1970s, Sweet took roles in films such asColossus: 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) andThe Wanderers(1979). He also had guest-starring roles onLittle House on the PrairieandMrs. Columbo.He had a notable role asFBIdirectorJ. Edgar Hooverin the 1978 television miniseriesKing,based on the life ofMartin Luther King Jr.

As the 1980s began, Sweet worked steadily in films such asBelow the Belt(1980) andReds(1981), the made-for-television movieGideon's Trumpet(1980) and television series such asHill Street BluesandHart to Hart.

Sweet had a recurring role as a policeman in the single1965–66 seasonof thelegal drama/comedyThe Trials of O'Brien.He was also known for his recurring role as policeman Gil McGowan on thesoap operaAnother World(1972–1977). Sweet also voiced the character of transit-police captain Costello in the 1974 filmThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Sweet's best-known television character was police chief and father Carl Kanisky, employer of housekeeperNell Carter,on thesitcomGimme 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 withstomach cancerduring the fourth season ofGimme 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 (bornc. 1952), before they divorced in 1973. In 1974, Sweet married Iris Braun.

Sweet died from stomach cancer atTarzana HospitalinTarzana, California,on May 8, 1985, survived by his wife and son.HisGimme 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

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

External links

• Dolph SweetatIMDb
• Dolph Sweetat theInternet Broadway Database
• Dolph SweetatAllMovie
• Dolph Sweetat theTCM Movie Database
• Dolph Sweetat theInternet Off-Broadway Database