Jack Klugman (April 27, 1922 – December 24, 2012) was an American actor and screenwriter. He was a regular presence in film and television from the early post-World War II era until the early years of the 21st century.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the war, Klugman attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburghnote in hopes of becoming an actor. He acted onstage in New York City and also made numerous appearances on TV. He gained notice for playing Jack Lemmon’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor in Days of Wine and Roses.
In 1970 Klugman was cast as Oscar Madison in the sitcom The Odd Couple. Running for five seasons, the show was a Star-Making Role for both him and to a lesser extent its Felix Unger portrayer Tony Randall. (Lesser because Randall had already been considered a lead actor.) Soon after that series signed off, Klugman got another hit show, playing the title character for seven seasons on Quincy, M.E..
Klugman died of prostate cancer in 2012, after an earlier bout of cancer had claimed one of his lungs. He was married twice to actress Brett Somers, with whom he had two children. During his final years he was married to Peggy Crosby.
Jack Klugman filmography:
- 1952 Grubstake
- 1955 Marty: Bar Patron (Uncredited Role)
- 1956 Time Table: Frankie Page
- 1957 12 Angry Men: Juror 5
- 1958 Cry Terror: Vince, a thug
- 1958 Kiss Me, Kate: Gunman (Made-for-TV Movie)
- 1960 Inherit the Wind: WGN Technician (Uncredited)
- 1961 The Million Dollar Incident: Charles (TV Movie)
- 1962 Days of Wine and Roses: Jim Hungerford
- 1963 I Could Go On Singing: George
- 1963 The Yellow Canary: Lt. Bonner
- 1963 Act One: Joe Hyman
- 1965 Hail Mafia: Phil
- 1966 Fame Is The Name Of The Game: Ben Welcome (TV Movie)
- 1968 The Detective: Dave Schoenstein
- 1968 The Split: Harry Kifka
- 1969 Goodbye, Columbus: Harry Patimkin
- 1971 Who Says I Cant Ride A Rainbow: Barney
- 1973 Poor Devil: Burnett J. Emerson (TV Movie)
- 1976 One Of My Wives Is Missing: Inspector Murray Levine (TV Movie)
- 1976 Two-Minute Warning: Sandman
- 1980 Challenge Of The Tiger: As Himself
- 1994 Parallel Lives: Senator Robert Ferguson (TV Movie)
- 1995 Shining Time Station: Second Chances: Max Okowsky (TV Movie)
- 1996 The Twilight Of The Golds: Mr. Stein
- 1996 Dear God: Jemi
- 2005 When Do We Eat: Artur
- 2010 Camera Obscura: Sam
- 1950 Suspense: Louie (1 episode)
- 1952 Celanese Theatre: Busch (1 episode)
- 1953 Short Short Dramas: Nails Donlan (1 episode)
- 1953 Colonel Humphrey Flack: Sedgewick – Henchman (2 episodes)
- 1954 Rocky King Detective: Frank Garrison (1 episode)
- 1954 Inner Sanctum: Harry/Prater/Det. Crane (3 episodes)
- 1954-55 The Greatest Gift: Jim Hanson
- 1954-56 The United States Steel Hour: Beaver/Frank/Barney Ostertag/Vic (4 episodes)
- 1955 The Red Skelton Hour: Choreographer/Indian/Downstairs Neighbor/Director (3 episodes)
- 1955 Big Town: Jack Orliffe (2 episodes)
- 1955-56 Goodyear Playhouse: Pvt. Yarrow/Webber (3 episodes)
- 1955-58 Studio One: Darrell/George Hall/Leo (4 episodes)
- 1957 The Alcoa Hour: Tyler/George (2 episodes)
- 1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents: George Benedict (1 episode)
- 1957-58 Suspicion 1957: Jason/Various (3 episodes)
- 1957-59 Playhouse 90: Lew Downs/Nick/Max Salter (3 episodes)
- 1958 Gunsmoke: Earl Ticks (1 episode)
- 1958 General Electric Theater: Murphy (1 episode)
- 1959 The Walter Winchell File: Allie Sunshine (1 episode)
- 1959-63 Naked City: Patrolman Mike Greco/Sam Braden/Alfred Tiloff/Joe Calageras/Pete Kammik/Arthur Crews (6 episodes)
- 1960-63 The Twilight Zone (1959): Joey Crown/Jesse Cardiff/Captain Ross/Max Phillips (4 episodes)
- 1961 Follow The Sun: Steve Bixel (1 episode)
- 1961 Straightaway: Buddy Conway (1 episode)
- 1961-62 Target The Corrptors: Otto Dutch Kleburg/Greg Paulson (2 episodes)
- 1961-63 The Untouchables: Morton Halas/Solly Girsh (2 episodes)
- 1961-64 The Defenders (1961): D.A. Charlie Grimalia/Joe Larch (3 episodes)
- 1962 The New Breed: Floyd Blaylock (1 episode)
- 1962 Cains Hundred: Mike Colonni (1 episode)
- 1962-65 Ben Casey: Dr. Philip Walton/Dr. Bill Justin (2 episodes)
- 1963 Arrest And Trial: Celina (1 episode)
- 1963-65 The Fugitive: Buck Harmon/Gus Hendricks (2 episodes)
- 1964 The Virginian: Charles Mayhew (1 episode)
- 1964 The Great Adventure: John Brown (1 episode)
- 1964-65 Harris Against The World: Alan Harris
- 1964-65 Kraft Suspense Theatre: Steve Zaro/Ozzie Keefer (2 episodes)
- 1964-79 Insight: Carny/Weiss/Packy Rowe (3 episodes)
- 1965-70 The F.B.I.: Charles Gates/Victor Amazeen (2 episodes)
- 1967 Garrison's Gorillas: Gus Manners (1 episode)
- 1969 Then Came Bronson: Dr. Charles Hanrahan (1 episode)
- 1969-70 The Name Of The Game: Frank Dovnik/Art Trager/Captain Garrig (3 episodes)
- 1970 The Bold Ones The New Doctors: Leland Rogers (1 episode)
- 1970-75 The Odd Couple (1970): Oscar Madison
- Reprised role in The Odd Couple Together Again. 1993.
- 1971-72 Love, American Style: Bill/Harry (2 episodes)
- 1972 Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In: Guest Performer (1 episode)
- 1976-83 Quincy, M.E.: Dr. R. Quincy, M.E.
- 1985 The Love Boat: Mel Davis (2 episodes)
- 1986-87 You Again: Henry Willows (1 episode)
- 1989 Around The World In 80 Days 1989: Capt. Bunsby
- 1997-99 Diagnosis: Murder: Dr. Jeff Everden/LAPD Det. Harry Trumble (2 episodes)
- 1999 Brothers Keeper: Jack (1 episode)
- 2000 The Outer Limits (1995): Joe Walker (1 episode)
- 2000 Third Watch: Stan Brandolini (1 episode)
- 2002 Crossing Jordan: Dr. Leo Gelber (1 episode)
