What Happened to Dolph Sweet From ‘Gimme a Break!’?
Gimme a Break! was a hit TV show that ran for six seasons from 1981 to 1987 on NBC. For the first four seasons, Dolph Sweet played police Chief Carl Kanisky, raising his three daughters after his wife’s death. He shared the responsibility with his wife’s friend, Nell Harper, played by Tony-winning actor Nell Carter.
However, after season 4 ended, Dolph Sweet had to be written out of the story because of his death. Although Sweet’s untimely demise didn’t end the sitcom, it changed the show’s dynamic. Gimme a Break! had to pivot, adding new characters to move the storyline forward.
‘Gimme a Break!’ was a classic ’80s sitcom
Gimme a Break! followed a widowed father attempting to raise his three children. A hard-nosed police chief, Kanisky sometimes struggled to relate to his daughters, particularly the two older ones, Katie and Julie. He seemed to have more in common with the youngest, Sam, because of her tomboy personality.
The main character, Nell Harper, was the best friend of Kanisky’s wife. After her death, Nell moved into the Kaniskys’ home to run the household and help look after the children. Although Nell and the Chief often butted heads, their wisecracking back-and-forth entertained audiences and helped earn the show nominations for Golden Globes, Primetime Emmys, and Young Artist Awards.
Dolph Sweet’s death forced ‘Gimme a Break’ to write his character off the show
On May 8, 1985, Dolph Sweet died of cancer at the age of 64, the AP reported. Because of the way TV shows are taped, his last appearance on Gimme a Break! aired only three days after Sweet’s death. Although he had missed four shows the previous season because of surgery, his character had been featured on the show less during the fourth season.
Once the fifth season got underway, the show handled Sweet’s death by also having Kanisky die. The first show of the fifth season takes place three months after the Chief died. The storyline brings up his death because a package he bought for his nephew Joey’s birthday shows up unexpectedly.
Nell Carter eulogized Sweet at his funeral
Dolph Sweet’s funeral took place at St. Bridget of Sweden Church in Van Nuys, California. ‘Gimme a Break!’ star Nell Carter eulogized Sweet at his funeral and on television before the season 4 finale.
Carter carried the show through two more seasons, cast additions, and a pivoting storyline that took Nell Harper out of the Kanisky home after the girls had moved on and the house sold to a New York City apartment where Nell cared for Joey and his brother.
After Gimme a Break! ended, Carter played recurring roles in two other sitcoms: You Take the Kids and Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, IMDb reports. She also guest-starred on many TV shows, including Brotherly Love, Touched by an Angel, Reba, and Ally McBeal. In addition, Carter returned to the stage in a musical version of A Raisin in the Sun.
Carter died on January 23, 2003. She was found in her Beverly Hills home by her son Joshua. The cause of death was heart disease, with diabetes as a contributing factor.
Fans of Carter, Sweet, and Gimme a Break! can continue to enjoy it as it airs on Cozi TV and streams on Tubi.
