Don Diamond

Of Russian ancestry, formally trained actor Don Diamond used his ear for accents to accurately mimic the local dialects he heard while stationed in New Mexico during World War II. Upon his return to civilian life, Diamond brought his newfound repertoire to radio, where he portrayed Mexican and Native American characters to convincing effect. In the 1950s, he successfully translated his niche talent to the then-burgeoning medium of television. Often filling the role of second banana, Diamond played El Toro, the hero's Mexican companion, on "The Adventures of Kit Carson," and appeared in a similar part on the ABC series "Zorro." His most memorable role emerged in 1965 on "F Troop," a classic Civil-War-era sitcom set on an Army outpost in Kansas. Although he wasn't a featured player until the show's second season, Diamond quickly became a fan favorite as Crazy Cat, the right-hand man of the Native American Hekawi tribe who comically yearned to be chief. Before retiring in 1987, Diamond appeared in over 100 television series and movies, including "Get Smart," "Newhart," "Dallas," "MacGyver," "The Rockford Files," and "Tijuana Toads," a 1970s series of theatrically released animated shorts that featured Diamond as a perpetually outsmarted toad named Toro.