Don Adams Biography

Fast Facts

• Lying about his age at the time, he joined the U․S․ Army at 16, but was soon forced to spend more than a year hospitalized after being shot and contracting blackwater fever during the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII
• Quote: "I am facing a tremendous success--or a failure․ It would be hypocritical if I said I don't want recognition, but I've never wanted it terribly․ I think I'm being honest when I say I'd rather turn my talents, whatever they are, to writing and directing․"
• Quote: "I don't want to change the thinking of the world․ My purpose is to make people laugh․"
• After winning a stand-up comedy show on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" in 1954, he would land his first job on "The Bill Dana Show" in 1963
• Landed the lead role on NBC's "Get Smart" after creators Mel Brooks and Buck Henry were commissioned to come up with a satirical comedy in response to other popular spy comedies including "The Man From U․N․C․L․E․", "I Spy" and "The Avengers"
• Admitted to lying about his college credentials and engineering background to gain a job designing underground sewer systems, a position he would hold for more than six months before being found out
• Changed his name to Adams, the stage name of his first wife, after growing tired of waiting to audition last for roles with the surname Yarmy