Don Adams Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Don Adams Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Don Adams is the legendary actor and comedian best known for portraying Maxwell Smart in the classic TV series Get Smart.

Introduction

Born Donald James Yarmy on April 13, 1923, the man known as Don Adams built a remarkable career as a comic actor, voice-artist, and television personality. His work on Get Smart and later animated series helped define a brand of physical-comedy and dead-pan delivery. At the time of his passing in 2005, his estimated net worth was in the region of $4 million. 
When it comes to relationships, Adams was married three times and fathered seven children, many of whom have followed creative paths of their own. His birthday—April 13—is one fans still acknowledge with fond remembrance of Agent 86’s signature catch-phrase, “Missed it by that much.”

Quick Facts

The Road from New York to Television Stardom

Don Adams was born in Manhattan, New York, to William Yarmy and Consuelo (née Deiter) Yarmy. His father was of Hungarian-Jewish descent and his mother Irish American; Adams himself was raised in his mother’s Catholic faith. 
He left school early, took a job as a theater usher, and then joined the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving in the Pacific and contracting blackwater fever while at Guadalcanal. 
After his military service, Adams turned to night-club comedy, honing his impersonations and timing. He won an appearance on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts in 1954, which helped launch his TV career. 
Defining moments in Don Adams’s journey include:

• Winning the talent contest that launched his television career

• Landing the lead in Get Smart and creating the iconic Maxwell Smart character

• Transitioning into voice-acting with roles such as Inspector Gadget

• Leveraging his persona into commercial and directorial work in later years

The Core Pillars of Don Adams’s Wealth

The wealth of Don Adams stems from several key sources:

• Television acting: His central role on Get Smart carried salary, residuals and long-term syndication value.

• Voice-acting and animation: Later in his career, he provided the voice for animated characters (such as Inspector Gadget) that generated new revenues.

• Commercials and endorsements: He appeared in advertising campaigns and directed commercials, which added to his income streams.

• Residuals and syndication: Given the enduring popularity of Get Smart, his involvement continued to generate income.

Although the exact breakdown is not detailed by major outlets, one respected estimate places his net worth at around US $4 million. 

Relationships & Family Life

Don Adams’s personal life was rich and complex, reflecting his long career and many transitions. He was married three times:

• Adelaide Constance Efantis (married 1947–1960). She performed under the name Adelaide Adams; he adopted “Adams” as his stage surname. Together they had four children. 

• Dorothy Bracken (married circa 1960–1977). They had two children. 

• Judy Luciano (married 1977–1990). They had one daughter. 

Key insights into Don Adams’s relationships and personal life:

• He adopted his first wife’s stage surname as his professional name.

• He fathered seven children and was known to be a devoted father when present, though his career demanded much of his time. 

• He experienced multiple divorces, reflecting the pressures of fame and work in the television business.

• His brother, Dick Yarmy, also entered show business, and Adams often referenced his family roots in his public life. 

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Don Adams led a lifestyle that reflected both passion and purpose, including:

• A fondness for vintage toys and animation memorabilia—his voice work in cartoons like Inspector Gadget inspired fan collections. 

• Commercial work directing and appearing in adverts, giving him a behind-the-scenes role as well as performer. 

• Philanthropic or charitable involvement was less publicly documented, but he maintained friendships with fellow comedians and industry veterans, demonstrating a commitment to his craft community.

• Living in Los Angeles in later years, appropriate for a Hollywood-based career, though exact real-estate holdings are not widely published. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

The estimated net worth of Don Adams—around US $4 million—can be viewed through the following breakdown:

*Note: The figures above are approximate and derived from publicly available estimates.
Analysis of his wealth shows that the core driver was his iconic role on Get Smart, which continues to generate syndication value. Voice-acting and commercial work supplemented his earnings. However, because his major income period was in the 1960s–70s and he did not build a large-scale production empire, his net worth remains modest compared to modern mega-stars.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Don Adams is publicly remembered for his distinctive voice, comedic timing, and physical comedy persona. His portrayal of Maxwell Smart remains a cultural touchstone for parody of spy thrillers. Critics note that despite his talent, the very strength of his character-identification may have typecast him, limiting alternative opportunities in later years. 
His legacy includes:

• Influencing sitcom parody and the spy-genre spoof template.

• Inspiring voice-actors and cartoon fans through his work in animation.

• Remaining beloved in pop-culture for his catchphrases and comedic style.

• Demonstrating how a sustained career in television (rather than blockbuster film) can still yield enduring fame and steady income—even if not a massive fortune.

Conclusion

Don Adams’s story is one of dedication, transformation and memorable performance. From his age/birthdate on April 13, 1923, to his signature role as Maxwell Smart, and his final years as a voice-actor and television veteran, he carved out a unique niche in entertainment. His estimated net worth of roughly US $4 million reflects a career that may not have made him one of Hollywood’s wealthiest, but certainly one of its most enduring. His relationships, three marriages and seven children speak to a rich personal life alongside professional achievement. His birthday remains a moment for fans to recall the humor and craft of an actor who said, “Missed it by that much,” and made audiences laugh anyway.