
Yarmy was born in New York in 1933, son of William Yarmy and his wife, Consuelo (née Deiter), who were Jewish and Catholic, respectively. Yarmy was the younger brother of actor and Get Smart star, Don Adams. He also had an elder sister, Gloria Ella Yarmy (later Gloria Burton), a writer who wrote an episode of Get Smart. Dick had served as a corporal, like his brother had in World War II, during the Korean War.
Dick Yarmy graduated from the New York University with a degree in engineering and began his acting career in 1968, appearing in the TV series Get Smart, also That Girl, The Partners, The Partridge Family, and Arnie. He also appeared in several films including Bone, The Kentucky Fried Movie, The Swinging Barmaids, and Carpool among others. Yarmy also appeared in commercials, such as George and Marge for Union Oil.

The Kentucky Fried Movie
1977 · as Taylor (segment "Courtroom")

Rabbit Test
1978 · as First Presidential Aide

Movers & Shakers
1985 · as Other Executive

Bone
1972 · as Bank Teller

Pray TV
1980 · as Dr. Ben Gay

The Swinging Barmaids
1975 · as Comic

The One Man Jury
1978 · as Hooker's Costumer

Carpool
1983 · as Lieutenant Ross

Brothers
1977 · as D.A. Wayne

A Guide for the Married Woman
1978 · as Harry

Smart Alec
1986 · as Chuck

It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy
1974 · as Wineberger