Robert Karvelas

Robert Karvelas (April 3, 1921 – December 5, 1991) was an American actor who was notable for his role as the Chief's dense assistant, Larrabee, on the 1960s sitcom "Get Smart". He was Don Adams' cousin.

Karvelas was born in New York City with a twin brother and grew up in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. His mother was of Irish decent and his father was of Greek descent. His mother and Adams' mother were sisters. Karvelas was a Golden Gloves boxing champion while serving in the United States Marines during World War II and later worked as a stockbroker.

Wanting his cousin to remain close to him, Adams gave Karvelas several uncredited bit parts on "Get Smart". One such part was an assistant to the Chief which grew into the character of Larrabee. Larrabee had the distinction of being just as bumbling as Maxwell Smart, if not more so. In one episode, Smart tells the Chief, "People ask if Larrabee and I are related."

After the cancellation of "Get Smart", Karvelas again joined his cousin Adams on the sitcom, "The Partners", which also starred Dick Van Patten. The show was cancelled after one season.

Karvelas continued to appear in small bit parts on television before dropping out of acting in 1976. He reprised the character of Larrabee in "The Nude Bomb" and "Get Smart, Again!".

External links

*imdb name|0440289|name=Robert Karvelas
*tvtome person|id=10136|name=Robert Karvelas