Legendary Actor & The Odd Couple Star Jack Klugman Dies at 90

According to his family attorney, the legendary Jack Klugman passed away at the age of 90 on December 24, 2012 peacefully at home in California, with his wife Peggy by his side.

Three-time Emmy Award winner Jack Klugman was best known as 'Oscar Madison' in the TV series The Odd Couple and as the star of Quincy, M.E. For over fifty years, Klugman has made countless stage, film and television appearances that made him one of America's most loved and respected actors.

His first big break on the New York stage came in 1959 with Gypsy, opposite Ethel Merman in Gypsy. Since then his numerous film appearances include: Twelve Angry Men, Cry Terror, Days of Wine and Roses, The Detective, Goodbye Columbus, Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow, with Judy Garland, The Two Minute Warning, and Dear God. He also appeared several times on Rod Sterling's classic television anthology The Twilight Zone. In 1971, he landed his big break in The Odd Couple produced by Garry Marshall (Happy Days, Mork and Mindy, Laverne and Shirley) opposite Tony Randall. Klugman went on to have seven successful seasons with his next television show, Quincy, M.E.

Mr. Klugman's work has earned him many awards, including three Emmies, his first for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series for The Defenders, and two for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for The Odd Couple. Other awards include a Golden Globe award for The Odd Couple, a Tony award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for Gypsy, and even a Chloe award for his role in an Eagle Brand Snacks commercial in which he appeared again with Tony Randall.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride