Kopell was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Pauline (née Taran) and Al Bernard Kopell of Jewish extraction. Kopell attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn before enrolling at New York University, majoring in dramatic arts and graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in 1955.
While fulfilling his military service, he served as a librarian at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia and then between 1956 and 1957 on board the USS Iowa (BB-61), a World War II and Korean war battleship, stationed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
During his time on the USS Iowa, he travelled extensively to Europe in Italy, Spain, Greece, the Middle East in Turkey as well as to South America. He also taught the GED to other military personnel. After completing active duty, Kopell returned to New York before going to Los Angeles with the promise of an agent by fellow graduate James Drury.

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