logo
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org

Edward Platt's Son Once Revealed the Story behind the 'Get Smart' Actor's Tragic Death

Bettina Dizon
Jun 13, 2019
11:50 A.M.

Edward Platt unexpectedly died in 1974 after suffering a heart attack, but his son later confirmed the real reason behind the actor’s death -- a long struggle with depression.

Advertisement

Edward Platt is best known for his role as “The Chief” in the ‘60s series “Get Smart,” which ran until 1970. Four years later, the actor was found in his apartment in Santa Monica, California, dead, due to an apparent heart attack.

However, his son later revealed that his father died by taking away his own life after battling untreated depression for a long time. He married twice and was survived by his four children.

BEFORE HOLLYWOOD

Born in Staten Island, New York, Platt studied romantic languages at Princeton University, then later at the Juilliard School of Music after setting opera as his path.

In 1952, Platt performed “The Shrike” on Broadway, where Jose Ferrer noticed and convinced him to reprise the role in the Hollywood movie adaptation, which prompted his acting career.

Advertisement

Before his career bloomed in show business, the “Get Smart” actor performed as a singer with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and in New York’s Mozart Opera Company, appearing in the musicals “The Mikado” and “The Pirates of Penzance” for a few years.

During World War II, he worked as a radio operator in the US army but left as soon as the war ended. Plat returned to the music industry; first working in musical comedies, then later hitting Broadway in the musical “Allegro.”

A SELF MADE MAN

In 1952, Platt performed “The Shrike” on Broadway, where Jose Ferrer noticed and convinced him to reprise the role in the Hollywood movie adaptation, which prompted his acting career.

Advertisement

Roles kept flowing in for the actor whose strong voice and maturity perfectly fit professional characters or criminal masterminds. Among his films were “Rebel Without a Cause,” “The Lieutenant Wore Skirts,” “The Steel Jungle,” “Storm Center,” and “Oregon Passage,” among many others.

He also appeared on some television shows including “The Outer Limits,” “Bonanza,” “General Hospital,” and his most famous role in a spy spoof sitcom, “Get Smart.”

Advertisement

MENTAL HEALTH

While Platt remained to have a good career, he had difficulty handling his mental health issues, which is a prominent issue in today’s society and among Hollywood stars. Like Platt, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also suffered from depression sometime in his life.

He once admitted to battling depression after his encounter with his mom’s suicide attempt. On a lengthy Instagram post, the wrestler turned actor shared what happened when he was 15.

“My mom tried to check out when I was 15. She got outta the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road,” he wrote.

The actor urged people to keep a keen eye for people who are in pain and encourage them to release their struggles with their inner demons, to remind them that they are not alone.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide hotlines can be found at befrienders.org

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

‘Grinch Girl’ Started Working at 2, Lived ‘A Very Adult Life’ in Her Teens & Turned to Drugs after Producer Died

November 14, 2023

Sylvester Stallone's Son Ensured He Was Never Compared to Him — No One Spoke to Him in His Last Week of Life

November 30, 2023

Willie Nelson's Last Marriage Is 'The Smartest Thing' He Did – He Built a Strong Family Following Death of His Son

January 08, 2024

Peter White of 'All My Children' Has Passed Away amid Health Battle with No Wife & Kids

November 05, 2023

Macaulay Culkin Confesses Love to Fiancée Brenda Song at Walk of Fame Ceremony, Moving Her to Tears

December 04, 2023

'All My Children' Star Alec Musser's Unexpected Cause of Death at 50 Finally Unveiled- Details

January 17, 2024

Charlie Chaplin Had 11 Children with 3 Women & Some of His Kids Became Actors Too

January 14, 2024

How This Boy Skyrocketed from Living in 13 Different Foster Homes in 7 Years to First Oscar Nomination

January 22, 2024

'Who’s the Boss?': What Happened to Its Main Actors since the Series Ended over 3 Decades Ago

December 07, 2023

King Charles & Other Royal Family Members Affected by Cancer: 3 Have Passed Away

February 08, 2024

This Woman and a Famous Actor, Now Married for 23 Years, Separated after 17 Years Then Reconciled during the Pandemic

November 16, 2023

Diane Ladd's Spouse Robert Charles Hunter Is Her 3rd Although She Only Had Kids with Her 1st Husband

December 05, 2023

Inside Charo's Elegant Home Where She Found Her Husband of 40 Years Dead: 'He Was an Amazing Man'

February 14, 2024

This Boy Was a Hollywood Actor’s Real-Life & On-Screen Son — He Was 36 When Housekeeper Found Him Dead at Home

November 07, 2023