Robert Karvelas
A character actor whose deadpan delivery as Agent Larabee provided the perfect straight-man foil in the classic spy spoof 'Get Smart.'
1921–1991 (age 70)·American actor·Birthday: April 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Robert Karvelas carved out a durable niche in television comedy with a single, memorable role. For five seasons on the hit series 'Get Smart,' he played Agent Larabee, the hapless and perpetually bewildered sidekick to Don Adams's bumbling Maxwell Smart. With a hangdog expression and a masterful sense of timing, Karvelas delivered his lines with a flat, earnest sincerity that made the show's absurd situations even funnier. Though the part defined his career, he was a working actor for years before and after, appearing in various TV shows and films, often in similar comedic or authoritative supporting roles. His performance remains a beloved element of 1960s television, a testament to how a skilled character actor can elevate an entire ensemble with quiet, consistent craft.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Robert was born in 1921, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Robert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1921
#1 Movie
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Robert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1921Born
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1926Started school
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1934Became a teenager
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1937Could drive
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1939Could vote
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1942Turned 21
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1951Turned 30
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 40
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 50
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1981Turned 60
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1991Turned 70
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the recurring character Agent Larabee on the iconic television series 'Get Smart' from 1965 to 1970.
- Appeared in over 20 episodes of the series, becoming a familiar part of the CONTROL agency ensemble.
- Had a long career as a character actor with guest roles in numerous television series throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Did You Know?
He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Before acting, he worked as a police officer in Los Angeles.
He made guest appearances on popular shows like 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'The Rockford Files.'
“The Chief wants to see you, Max.”
