Edward Cuthbert Platt

 Edward Cuthbert Platt (February 14, 1916 – March 19, 1974)

Platt was an actor best known for his portrayal of "The Chief" in the 1965-70 television series Get Smart. With his deep voice and mature appearance, he played an eclectic mix of characters over the span of his career. He debuted on Broadway in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Allegro. José Ferrer, who performed with Platt in the Broadway play The Shrike, helped Platt land his first film role in the 1955 film version. Also, in 1955, he appeared in Rebel Without a Cause. Platt returned to Broadway in 1958 with the musical Oh, Captain!, playing a romantic role. In 1959, he played Cary Grant's attorney in North by Northwest. Aside from Get Smart, Platt appeared on such shows as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, One Step Beyond, The Rifleman, Rawhide, Whispering Smith, The Outer Limits , Perry Mason, and The Twilight Zone, among others. In 1973, Platt raised the money to produce one of the first independent color motion pictures shot entirely on videotape: Santee, starring Glenn Ford. Platt saw the advantages of using videotape over film, and his crew shot the production with electronic TV cameras and portable VTRs, then had the images transferred to film for theatrical release. Platt married in 1954, and had four children. On March 19, 1974, Platt's body was found in his apartment. He was 58 years old. While early reports blamed a heart attack for the actor's death, his son later admitted Platt had committed suicide after a long struggle with untreated depression. His body was cremated, and the ashes scattered in The Pacific Ocean.