HOLLYWOOD -- Actor Dolph Sweet, the crusty police captain and father opposite Nell Carter in the TV comedy series 'Gimme A Break,' has died of cancer at 64.
Sweet, whose first acting experience was in a World War II German prisoner of war camp, portrayed Capt. Carl Kinisky, the uncompromising but loving father of three daughters and an adopted son whose life was entertwined with his housekeeper, played by Carter.
The NBC series has been renewed for next season, and there was no immediate word on what would happen to Sweet's character.
Sweet earlier portrayed an older construction worker with a gang of young employees on the comedy series 'When the Whistle Blows' in 1980, and also had a role in the 'Another World' soap opera.
His movies included 'Heaven Can Wait,' 'Which Way is Up?' and 'The New Centurians.'
Sweet was shot down and taken prison during the war.
'The Americans in the camp decided to put on a play,' he said. 'I agreed to be in it and I was hooked. I decided, if I ever made it back, to become an actor.'
When he returned from the war, Sweet decided to take a temporary job teaching English at Barnard College of Columbia University to help support his wife and child.
The job lasted 12 years and Sweet became head of the college's drama department, where he met a Russian actress who taught him acting.
Sweet, who died Wednesday at Tarzana Hospital, appeared in more than 50 theater roles and 30 movies. He is survived by his wife, Iris Braun, and son, Jonathan.
Memorial services were scheduled Saturday at St. Bridget of Sweden Church in Van Nuys, with Carter expected to deliver a eulogy.
