Dolph Sweet

At 64 years old, Dolph Sweet has this physical status:

Adolphus Jean Sweet (July 18, 1920 – May 8, 1985) was an American actor with nearly 60 television and film appearances as well as numerous roles in stage productions before his death from stomach cancer in 1985.

Early life

Sweet was born in New York City, New York. He attended the University of Alabama in 1939; however, he was forced to leave his education for a tour of service in World War II with the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force, where the young Second Lieutenant served as a navigator on a B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft. He was shot down over Romania while flying on Operation Tidal Wave and spent two years as a war prisoner. Since returning from war, he joined other POWs in putting on short plays in the prison camp, sparking an interest in acting.

While obtaining his master's degree in English and comparative drama from Columbia University, he played semi-professional football and boxed.

Personal life

After World War II, Sweet married Reba Gillespie while doing his master's degree. Before divorced in 1973, the couple had a son together, Jonathon (born c. 1952). Sweet married Iris Braun in 1974.

Sweet died of stomach cancer at Tarzana Hospital in 1985, and his wife and son survived.

His Gimme a Break!

Nell Carter, a co-star, performed the eulogy at his funeral on May 11 and recorded a short eulogy at the start of the show's final episode for the season. Sweet's remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

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Career

Sweet took up teaching at Barnard College after graduating, eventually leading the drama department for 12 years. He left teaching shortly after making his Broadway debut, age 40, in a 1961 version of Rhinoceros starring Zero Mostel.

Sweet appeared in the 1961 film The Young Doctors for his first major film role that year. He continued to appear in films including You're a Big Boy Now (1966), A Lovely Way to Die (1968), and Finian's Rainbow (1968) as the Sheriff. He appeared on television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including appearances on The Defenders, The Edge of Night, Another World as Police Chief Gil McGowan, and Dark Shadows.

He was very popular in the 1970s, with appearances in films such as Colossus: The Forbin Project (1972), Fear Is the Key (1972), Cops and Robbers (1974), The Lords of Flatbush (1976), Which Way Is Up (1977). Go Tell the Spartans (1978), Heaven Can Wait (1978) and The Wanderers (1979). In addition to film appearances, he appeared on Little House on the Prairie and Mrs. Columbo. In 1978 television miniseries King, based on civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, he was notably as FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

Sweet continued to work in films such as Below the Belt (1980) and Reds (1981), the made for television film Gideon's Trumpet (1980), and television series From Above the Belt (1980) and Hart to Hart.

Sweet in the single 1965-1966 season of the television drama/comedy The Trials of O'Brien, in addition to his numerous guest appearances on episodes of various television series, he appeared as a policeman. Gil McGowan, Ada Davis' third husband (later Hobson), was known for his recurring appearance on the soap opera Another World (1972-1987). Sweet also portrayed Manhattan Subway Transit Captain Costello in the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Decades, in keeping with his cop roles.

On the sitcom Gimme a Break! Sweet's best known television character was his series co-lead role as police chief and father Carl Kanisky, who was frequently in conflict with housekeeper Nell Carter. Sweet appeared in this role from 1981 to his death. Sweet was diagnosed with cancer during the series's fourth season, but he continued to work. On May 11, 1985, three days after he died and just a few hours after his funeral, the final episode of the fourth season aired.

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