American actor Jack Klugman, also known as Jacob Joachim Klugman, appeared in movies, television shows, and plays. He was best recognized for his part in the TV series and Broadway production of “The Odd Couple.” He was nominated for a Tony Award for the musical “Gypsy” and won three Emmy Awards for his work in the TV shows “The Defenders” and “The Odd Couple.” His Broadway debut was in 1952, and he had a lifelong interest in acting. He quickly appeared on television programs including “Actors Studio” and “The Philco Television Playhouse.” He appeared in the films “Grubstake,” “Time Table,” and “Cry Terror!” on the big screen. He played the lead character in “Quincy, M.E.” for seven years, and his standout performance was honored with four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He appeared in other television programs and stage productions, such as “I’m Not Rappaport,” after the show had ended. He was given a throat cancer diagnosis in 1974, and a surgical procedure in 1988 removed a portion of his vocal cord. He had health concerns, but despite his hoarse voice, he kept acting on stage and on television. He continued to battle cancer, and in 2012, prostate cancer claimed his life.
Early Childhood & Life
On April 27, 1922, Jack Klugman was born to Russian Jewish parents Rose and Max, a house painter and hat maker respectively, in a working-class Philadelphia area. There were five of them. He had a difficult childhood because his mother had to care for her six children alone after his young father passed away. To help his family, Jack had to work as a street vendor.
During World War II, he served in the American Army. He completed his studies in drama at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, which is now known as Carnegie Mellon University, in 1948.
Career of Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman began his acting career in 1949 and made his stage debut in the New York Equity Liberty Theatre production of the play “Stevedore.” He eventually ventured into both television and movies. He received a little part in the play “Mr. Roberts” at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1950. He made his television debut in “Actors Studio” that same year.
Alongside Lee J. Cobb and John Garfield, he made his Broadway debut in Clifford Odets’ “Golden Boy” in 1952. He appeared in the soap opera “The Greatest Gift” two years later, and in 1955 he played a part in the anthology television series “Producers’ Showcase.” He was cast in 1957’s legendary Sidney Lumet courtroom drama “12 Angry Men,” which was adapted from a Reginald Rose teleplay of the same name.
When he appeared in the Broadway production of “Gypsy: A Musical Fable” in 1959, his acting abilities were finally recognized. He then had four appearances in “The Twilight Zone” television series.
He made a one-year appearance in the Broadway production of “Tchin-Tchin” in 1962. He appeared in two episodes of “The Untouchables” from 1960 to 1963: “Loophole” and “An Eye for an Eye.” He played the title role in the sitcom “Harris Against the World” in 1964. After a year, however, it was discontinued due to poor viewership.
When the major part of Oscar Madison in the Broadway version of “The Odd Couple” was offered to Jack Klugman in 1965, it was a significant career turning point for him. Additionally, he received a recurring part in the 1970 ABC television series of the same name. For five years, he continued in the series. For London Records, Klugman and Randall made an album titled “The Odd Couple Sings” in 1973.
Even after “The Odd Couple” ended, he continued to enjoy popularity. In 1976, he starred in the hit TV show “Quincy, M.E.” As Dr. Quincy, a forensic pathologist who solved crimes, portrayed the role. Eight seasons of the show were shown till 1983.
He made a comeback to Broadway in Herb Gardner’s 1985–1988 play “I’m Not Rappaport.” He was hired to appear in the 1986 season of the NBC sitcom “You Again.” He was cast in the television miniseries “Around the World in 80 Days” in 1989.
His career suffered for a while after he received a second diagnosis of throat cancer in the late 1980s (the first time was in 1974). In 1993, he resumed performing again with the Broadway play “Three Men on a Horse.” He also worked on the television movie “The Odd Couple: Together Again” in the same year.
He had an appearance in the 1994 television movie Parallel Lives. Two years later, he made appearances in the comedies “Dear God” and “The Twilight of the Golds” directed by Garry Marshall. He appeared in Neil Simon’s play “Sunshine Boys” in 1997, and he also had a few small appearances in the television shows “Diagnosis: Murder” and “The Outer Limits.”
In his later years, he began writing a book called “Tony and Me: A Story of Friendship” on his friendship with his co-star Tony Randall, which was released in 2005. He discussed several facets of their friendship, which lasted for five decades. He appeared in the comedy “When Do We Eat?” that same year.
He played his final on-screen part in the slasher movie “Camera Obscura” in 2010. Twelve Angry Men, which debuted at the George Street Playhouse on March 13, 2012, was his final performance on stage.
Bigger Works of Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman received favorable reviews for his performance in the Broadway play “Gypsy: A Musical Fable” in 1959. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1960 for Best Featured Actor (Musical) as a result of it. His portrayal in “The Defenders” in 1964 received tremendous appreciation.
Both in the Broadway version of “The Odd Couple” and the TV series, he received high praise for his portrayal of the character. He received numerous nominations and accolades for this role.
Recognition & Achievements
For his work in “The Defenders,” Jack Klugman won the 1964 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
He received the Primetime Emmy Award in 1971 for “The Odd Couple’s” Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series. He received the Primetime Emmy Award for “The Odd Couple” again in 1973.
He received the 1974 Golden Globe for “The Odd Couple” in the category of Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Television Series. He won the TV Land Award for Quintessential Non-Traditional Family in 2004 for the same television series. Tony Randall and I both received this honor.
Individual Life of Jack Klugman
Jack Klugman wed actress Brett Somers in 1953. David and Adam, the couple’s two children, were born. Later, they parted ways. Records show that the pair separated in August 1977, despite the rumor that they remained married until Somers’ death in 2007.
Klugman began residing with Peggy Crosby in 1988, and they were wed in February 2008. Then, he was 85.
Jaklin Klugman was a thoroughbred racehorse that Klugman purchased because he was interested in horse racing. The horse placed third in the 1980 Kentucky Derby.
In 1974, he received a throat cancer diagnosis. He underwent surgery in 1988 to have a portion of his vocal cord removed. He was unable to speak for a long as a result. He eventually recovered some of the vigors in his voice. At the age of 90, he passed away from prostate cancer on December 24, 2012.
Jack Klugman’s Net Worth
It was reported that he had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death, earned over $200k a year, and had a net worth of $ 2 million.