When the 2008 film adaptation of Get Smart hit theaters, it brought Mel Brooks and Buck Henry’s beloved 1960s spy spoof to a whole new generation. Directed by Peter Segal, the movie starred Steve Carell as the bumbling but lovable Maxwell Smart and grossed over $230 million worldwide on an $80 million budget. It wasn’t just a box office hit — the film assembled a stacked cast that reads like a who’s who of Hollywood talent. From Oscar winners to action stars to scene-stealing comedians, the ensemble gave the classic material a fresh coat of paint. Nearly two decades later, the careers of these actors have taken wildly different paths. Some have become among the biggest names in entertainment. Others have quietly shifted gears. And sadly, two members of the cast are no longer with us. Here’s what the cast of Get Smart has been up to since 2008.
Steve Carell — Maxwell Smart
Steve Carell anchored the entire film as Maxwell Smart, the eager but clumsy CONTROL analyst who gets promoted to field agent. It was a role that played perfectly to Carell’s strengths — physical comedy, impeccable timing, and the ability to make even the most ridiculous moments feel grounded.
Since Get Smart, Carell has become one of the most versatile actors working today. He wrapped up The Office in 2011, then pivoted hard into dramatic territory with films like Foxcatcher (2014), Beautiful Boy (2018), and The Big Short (2015). He’s continued voicing Gru in the Despicable Me franchise, with Despicable Me 4 arriving in 2024. On the streaming side, his Netflix series The Four Seasons premiered in May 2025 alongside Tina Fey, and was renewed for a second season. He also starred in Jesse Armstrong’s HBO film Mountainhead in 2025. His latest project is Rooster, a 2026 Netflix series. At 63, Carell shows no signs of slowing down.
Anne Hathaway — Agent 99
Anne Hathaway brought charm and toughness to Agent 99, the experienced CONTROL operative who reluctantly partners with Max. She handled the action sequences and comedic beats with equal confidence, and the chemistry between her and Carell was one of the film’s biggest strengths.
Hathaway’s career after Get Smart has been nothing short of extraordinary. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Les Misérables (2012), starred in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014), and headlined Ocean’s 8 (2018). After a quieter stretch, she roared back with The Idea of You on Amazon Prime in 2024. But 2026 is shaping up to be her biggest year yet. She has five films on the slate: Mother Mary (a psychological horror from A24), The Devil Wears Prada 2 (reuniting with Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt), the Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and Flowervale Street. A third Princess Diaries film is also in development. It’s fair to say 2026 belongs to Hathaway.
Dwayne Johnson — Agent 23
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson played Agent 23, CONTROL’s top field operative who Max idolizes — until a major twist flips the character on its head. Johnson was still in the earlier stages of his film career in 2008, and Get Smart was one of the roles that helped establish his range beyond pure action.
Since then, Johnson has become one of the highest-grossing box office draws in history. He headlined the Jumanji reboots, the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw, and Disney’s Moana (2016). In 2025, he took a dramatic turn in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, playing former MMA fighter Mark Kerr. His 2026 lineup is massive: the live-action Moana remake (July 2026), Jumanji 3 (December 2026), and reportedly the final Fast & Furious installment. He also has Darren Aronofsky’s thriller Breakthrough and a Monster Jam movie in development. Nearly 20 years after Get Smart, Johnson remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.
Alan Arkin — The Chief
Alan Arkin brought gravitas and dry humor to The Chief, the head of CONTROL who gives Max his shot at becoming a field agent. It was a role that required a seasoned pro — someone who could play the straight man to Carell’s antics while still landing laughs of his own. Arkin delivered effortlessly.
By the time Get Smart came around, Arkin had already won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Little Miss Sunshine (2006). He went on to earn another Oscar nomination for Argo (2012) and appeared in Netflix’s The Kominsky Method alongside Michael Douglas from 2018 to 2021. His final on-screen performance was voicing Wild Knuckles in Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). Alan Arkin passed away on June 29, 2023, at the age of 89, at his home in Carlsbad, California. His career spanned seven decades and earned him an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony Award. He was one of the great character actors in American cinema, and his presence in Get Smart elevated every scene he was in.
Terence Stamp — Siegfried
Terence Stamp played the villainous Siegfried, the head of the criminal organization KAOS. With those piercing blue eyes and a commanding screen presence honed over decades of work, Stamp made for a genuinely threatening antagonist — even in a comedy. He brought the same intensity he’d shown as General Zod in the Superman films.
Stamp continued working steadily in the years after Get Smart, appearing in films like Song for Marion (2012) and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016). His final performance was filmed for Priscilla Queen of the Desert 2, the sequel to the 1994 cult classic in which he’d starred. Director Stephan Elliott confirmed that Stamp had completed all of his scenes before his passing. Terence Stamp died on August 17, 2025, at the age of 87, in Los Angeles. His career stretched across more than six decades, from 1960s British cinema to Hollywood blockbusters. He left behind a remarkable body of work and the kind of screen presence that’s impossible to replicate.
Masi Oka — Bruce
Masi Oka played Bruce, one of the CONTROL analysts who works alongside Max in the office. His character was part of the film’s comic relief in the early scenes, representing the desk-bound agents who dream of fieldwork. Oka brought natural warmth and humor to the role.
At the time of Get Smart, Oka was best known for playing Hiro Nakamura on NBC’s Heroes. After that series ended, he landed a recurring role as Dr. Max Bergman on Hawaii Five-0, which ran from 2010 to 2020. More recently, he voiced the character Ringo in Netflix’s acclaimed animated series Blue Eye Samurai (2023). Beyond acting, Oka has carved out a significant career in tech and gaming. He founded the video game studio Mobius Digital, which produced the critically acclaimed Outer Wilds. In 2025, he joined Thirdverse as a strategic investor and advisor, focusing on Japanese IP adaptations for Hollywood. He’s become a genuine bridge between the entertainment and technology worlds.
Terry Crews — Agent 91
Terry Crews played Agent 91, a CONTROL field operative who appears in a few memorable action sequences. While it wasn’t a huge role, Crews brought his trademark physicality and energy to every moment he was on screen — something that’s become a hallmark of his career.
Crews has stayed incredibly busy since 2008. He starred as Sergeant Terry Jeffords in the beloved sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013 to 2021, which became one of his most recognized roles. He’s been the host of America’s Got Talent since 2019 and continues in that role. In 2024, he appeared in The Killer’s Game and guest-starred on Everybody Still Hates Chris. He also starred in John Henry, which hit Netflix in early 2025. Outside of entertainment, Crews founded the creative agency Super Serious in 2023 and has been an outspoken advocate against human trafficking. He’s also got PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie in pre-production for 2026. Crews has built a career that’s as much about character as it is about characters.
David Koechner — Larabee
David Koechner played Larabee, the CONTROL agent who serves as a kind of gatekeeper and bureaucratic presence in the organization. It was the type of supporting comedic role Koechner thrives in — slightly abrasive, slightly clueless, and always funny. Fans of Anchorman already knew what he could do with limited screen time.
Since Get Smart, Koechner has remained one of the hardest-working character actors in comedy. He’s racked up credits in dozens of films and TV shows, including The Goldbergs, Superior Donuts, and voicing Poseidon in Fox’s animated series Krapopolis (2024). In 2025, he appeared in Half Baked: Totally High and was cast in the crime thriller Tender. When he’s not in front of a camera, Koechner tours the country doing stand-up comedy and creates content for his YouTube channel, Full On Koechner. He’s the definition of a “that guy” actor — someone whose face you always recognize and whose presence always makes a project funnier.
Nate Torrence — Lloyd
Nate Torrence rounded out the analyst trio as Lloyd, Max’s earnest and slightly nerdy coworker at CONTROL. Torrence gave the character a likability that made you root for him, even in his smallest moments. It’s no surprise that voice casting directors took notice of his warmth.
After Get Smart, Torrence appeared in She’s Out of My League (2010) and took on various TV guest roles. His biggest post-Get Smart credit came when he voiced Officer Benjamin Clawhauser in Disney’s Zootopia (2016) — the lovable, donut-obsessed cheetah who became a fan favorite. He reprised the role in Zootopia+ (2022) and Zootopia 2 (2025). On the live-action side, Torrence landed a recurring role as Danny in NBC’s medical mockumentary St. Denis Medical, which premiered in 2024 and has been well received. He may not be a household name, but Torrence has built a steady and respectable career doing what he does best — making people smile.
If you enjoyed this look back at Get Smart, you might also like our feature on What Happened to the Cast of Bewitched?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Get Smart (2008) based on the TV show?
Yes. The 2008 film is based on the 1960s television series Get Smart, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The show originally aired on NBC and CBS from 1965 to 1970, starring Don Adams as Maxwell Smart. The film serves as a modern reimagining rather than a direct sequel to the series.
Was there ever a Get Smart sequel?
A direct sequel to the 2008 theatrical film was never produced, despite the movie’s strong box office performance of $230 million worldwide. However, a direct-to-video spinoff titled Get Smart’s Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control was released in 2008, focusing on the analyst characters played by Masi Oka and Nate Torrence.
Which members of the Get Smart cast have passed away?
Two members of the film’s cast have passed away. Alan Arkin, who played The Chief, died on June 29, 2023, at the age of 89. Terence Stamp, who played the villain Siegfried, died on August 17, 2025, at the age of 87. Both left behind extraordinary careers spanning multiple decades.
What was the most successful post-Get Smart career?
While several cast members have thrived, Dwayne Johnson and Anne Hathaway have arguably had the most commercially successful careers since the film. Johnson became one of the highest-grossing box office stars in history, while Hathaway won an Academy Award and has five major films releasing in 2026 alone. Steve Carell has also had remarkable success, transitioning seamlessly between comedy and drama.
