Oscar, Oscar, Oscar

Let's say goodbye to Jack Klugman. His best role, as Oscar on the TV show The Odd Couple, showed his comic chops, but he brought power and honesty to every part he played.

He did a lot of TV in the 50s, as well as some movies, such as 12 Angry Men.  But he also got a lot of notice as Herbie, playing opposite Ethel Merman, in the Broadway musical Gypsy.  He could barely sing--he told Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim not to write a solo for him--but he was a solid enough actor that he was worth it.

In the 60s he played the lead in several episodes of The Twilight Zone, and, foreshadowing the 70s, replaced Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison on Broadway in The Odd Couple. He also did a memorable turn as the tough Jewish father in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus.

The Odd Couple became a classic and Klugman won a couple Emmys for the role.  He went right from that show to Quincy M.E., which got him more nominations.  The series may not be as well remembered (or as good) but it actually lasted longer.

In 1989 throat cancer cost him a vocal cord, but he didn't let it slow him down.  I saw him perform on Broadway in the late 90s, with Tony Randall, in a revival of The Sunshine Boys. The raspy voice worked for the role, since these are two characters past their prime.  And though he was on stage almost the entire play, he gave it his all, and showed he still had it.

PS  Charles Durning has also died. He practically defined "character actor."  He deserves a complete tribute of his own, but let's just note a few highlights.

A WWII veteran, he worked till the end.  He ws featured in several Broadway shows in the 60s and 70s, winning a Drama Desk Award for That Championship Season, and also did plenty of television, garnering many Emmy nominations for work such as Queen Of The Stardust Ballroom.

But he's best known for his film work.  Some of his top performances: The Sting (which truly brought him to the attention of the public), The Fury, North Dallas Forty, Tootsie, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Oscar nominaion), To Be Or Not To Be (Oscar nomination), The Hudsucker Proxy and O Brother, Where Are Thou?.