Jack Klugman: The Other Odd One Gone (680)

Born: April 27, 1922

A terrible loss, especially on Christmas Eve!  A great man who was no stranger to the stage and screen...his large Broadway credit list includes Gypsy, 12 Angry Men, The Value of Names, The Sunshine Boys and The Odd Couple.

The first of his two greatest television roles was as Oscar Madison on "The Odd Couple" opposite Tony Randall (1920-2004) from 1970 to 1975.  The two would reunite several times following the end of the series for stage projects, television commercials and even a 1993 TV movie entitled "The Odd Couple: Together Again."  His second television hit was as medical examiner Dr. Quincy on "Quincy M.E." from 1976 to 1983.  The show was certainly a pioneer for all medical crime shows that followed including "CSI" and "Body of Proof."  

As a guest actor he appeared on such shows as "The United States Steel Hour", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Gunsmoke", "Playhouse 90", "The Untouchables", "Naked City", "Twilight Zone", "The Defenders", "Harris Against the World", "Ben Casey", "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre", "The Love Boat", "You Again?", "Diagnosis Murder", "Crossing Jordan" and "Presidio Med."  During the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's he made all the rounds on the game shows, talk shows and interviews.

In 2011 he appeared with Rute Lee, Doris Singleton and other surviving cast members of the 1980 special "Lucy Moves to NBC" to remember Lucille Ball and working on the project.  As recently as March and April of 2012 he was on stage appearing in a revival of 12 Angry Men.....he was present 55 years earlier in the motion picture starring Henry Fonda, E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb and Ed Begley among other big names.  

He passed away on December 24, 2012 at the age of 90.....once again the reunion can be called "The Odd Couple: Together Again." 

In Memoriam Remembers:
Jack Klugman    


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