Jack Klugman (April 27, 1922 â€" December 24, 2012) was an American
stage, film, and television actor.He began his career in 1950, and
started television and film work with roles in 12 Angry Men (1957) and
Cry Terror! (1958). During the 1960s, he guest-starred on numerous
television series. Klugman won his first Primetime Emmy Award for his
guest-starring role on The Defenders, in 1964. He also made a total of
four appearances on The Twilight Zone from 1960 to 1963. In 1965,
Klugman replaced Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison in the Broadway play,
The Odd Couple. Five years later, he reprised that role in the
television adaptation of The Odd Couple, opposite Tony Randall and as
Henry Willows in You Again? (1986-1987). The series aired from 1970 to
1975. Klugman won his second and third Primetime Emmy Awards and a
Golden Globe Award for his work on the series. From 1976 to 1983, he
starred in the title role in Quincy, M.E. for which he earned four
Primetime Emmy Award nominations.Klugman was born in Philadelphia, the
youngest of six children born to Rose, a hat maker, and Max Klugman, a
house painter. His parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants. Klugman
served in the United States Army during World War II. He attended
Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, in
Pittsburgh. While there, his drama teacher told him, "Young man, you
are not suited to be an actor. You are suited to be a truck driver."
After the war, he pursued acting roles in New York City, while sharing
an apartment with friend and fellow actor Charles Bronson.
stage, film, and television actor.He began his career in 1950, and
started television and film work with roles in 12 Angry Men (1957) and
Cry Terror! (1958). During the 1960s, he guest-starred on numerous
television series. Klugman won his first Primetime Emmy Award for his
guest-starring role on The Defenders, in 1964. He also made a total of
four appearances on The Twilight Zone from 1960 to 1963. In 1965,
Klugman replaced Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison in the Broadway play,
The Odd Couple. Five years later, he reprised that role in the
television adaptation of The Odd Couple, opposite Tony Randall and as
Henry Willows in You Again? (1986-1987). The series aired from 1970 to
1975. Klugman won his second and third Primetime Emmy Awards and a
Golden Globe Award for his work on the series. From 1976 to 1983, he
starred in the title role in Quincy, M.E. for which he earned four
Primetime Emmy Award nominations.Klugman was born in Philadelphia, the
youngest of six children born to Rose, a hat maker, and Max Klugman, a
house painter. His parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants. Klugman
served in the United States Army during World War II. He attended
Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, in
Pittsburgh. While there, his drama teacher told him, "Young man, you
are not suited to be an actor. You are suited to be a truck driver."
After the war, he pursued acting roles in New York City, while sharing
an apartment with friend and fellow actor Charles Bronson.
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