Adolphus Jean Sweet (July 18, 1920 â€" May 8, 1985) was an American
World War II US Army Air Force navigator, then a prisoner of war, then
an educator who became an actor, credited with nearly 60 television
and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including
performances on Broadway. He often played policemen throughout his
career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and
father Carl Kanisky, on the sitcom Gimme a Break!, from 1981 until his
death in May 1985.Sweet was born in New York City, New York. His
father was an auto mechanic and his first ambition was playing
football. In 1939, he attended the University of Alabama; however, he
was called away from his education for a tour of duty 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 B-24 Liberator
bomber aircraft. During his service, he was shot down over Romania
while flying on Operation Tidal Wave, and subsequently spent two years
as a prisoner of war (POW). He joined other POWs in putting on short
plays in the prison camp, leading to an interest in acting when he
returned from the war.After the war, he played semi-pro football and
boxed while earning his master's degree in English and comparative
drama from Columbia University.Upon graduation, Sweet took a job
teaching at Barnard College, rising to head of the drama department
during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties
shortly after making his Broadway debut, at age 40, in a 1961
production of Rhinoceros, starring Zero Mostel.
World War II US Army Air Force navigator, then a prisoner of war, then
an educator who became an actor, credited with nearly 60 television
and film roles and more than 50 roles in stage productions, including
performances on Broadway. He often played policemen throughout his
career, and may be best known for his portrayal of police chief and
father Carl Kanisky, on the sitcom Gimme a Break!, from 1981 until his
death in May 1985.Sweet was born in New York City, New York. His
father was an auto mechanic and his first ambition was playing
football. In 1939, he attended the University of Alabama; however, he
was called away from his education for a tour of duty 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 B-24 Liberator
bomber aircraft. During his service, he was shot down over Romania
while flying on Operation Tidal Wave, and subsequently spent two years
as a prisoner of war (POW). He joined other POWs in putting on short
plays in the prison camp, leading to an interest in acting when he
returned from the war.After the war, he played semi-pro football and
boxed while earning his master's degree in English and comparative
drama from Columbia University.Upon graduation, Sweet took a job
teaching at Barnard College, rising to head of the drama department
during his 12 years at the college. He left his teaching duties
shortly after making his Broadway debut, at age 40, in a 1961
production of Rhinoceros, starring Zero Mostel.
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