Jack Klugman, Star of "The Odd Couple" & "Quincy," Dead at 90 - East Idaho News
Arts & Entertainment

Jack Klugman, Star of “The Odd Couple” & “Quincy,” Dead at 90

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52137358?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1356388877776Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Jack Klugman, best known for portraying the sloppy sports writer Oscar Madison on TV’s The Odd Couple, has died, his attorney announced on Monday.  He was 90.  Klugman died at home in Northridge, Calif., with his wife Peggy at his side.

Klugman, an army veteran, appeared in some classic films, including Twelve Angry Men, Goodbye Columbus and Days of Wine and Roses.  He also worked in TV, winning an Emmy award for his role on the series The Defenders, and appearing in four episodes of The Twilight Zone.  

In 1965, Klugman replaced Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison in the Broadway production of Neil Simon’s play The Odd Couple.  When the show moved to TV in 1970, Klugman was on board as Oscar, opposite Tony Randall as his roommate, the neat and neurotic Felix Unger.  The Odd Couple ran until 1975, and Klugman won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for his role.

After The Odd Couple, Klugman starred in Quincy M.E., also known as Quincy.   The popular show, which ran until 1983, cast Klugman as Dr. Quincy, a Los Angeles County medical examiner who helps solves crimes.  Klugman continued to appear in TV and movies up until 2010.

Klugman is survived by two grandchildren, and two sons, David and Adam, from his marriage to the late actress and comedienne Brett Somers.  She played his ex-wife, Blanche, on The Odd Couple.

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