Jack Klugman
Actor
About This Interview
In his two-and-a-half-hour Archive interview, Jack Klugman (1922-2012) fondly recalls his fifty years in television, including his over 400 appearances on many of the early dramatic live anthology programs, such as P hilco Playhouse, Kraft Television Theatre (and writing two episodes: "Big Break" and "Code of the Corner" for Kraft) , U.S. Steel Hour, and Studio One. He comments on the many directors and writers with whom he's worked, talks about working with Ethel Merman in a stage production of Gypsy, and recalls his role as "Juror #5" in the film version of Twelve Angry Men. He speaks of his invaluable friendship with Tony Randall, and their legacy, TV sitcom The Odd Couple. Klugman discusses his favorite episode of The Odd Couple ("Password"), working with Gary Marshall, and stage performances of "The Odd Couple" years after the series left the air. He details differences between theater and television, and discusses his lead role in the successful series Quincy, M.E. He also openly speaks about his battle against throat cancer. Sunny Parich conducted the interview on May 1, 1998 in New York, NY.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Video: Archive Interview Selections (14 minutes)
Video: Full Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "The Mail Order Prophet" (1957) featuring Jack Klugman and E. G. Marshall
Resources
Obituary from Emmytvlegnds.org:
http://www.emmytvlegends.org/blog/?p=6697
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Highlights
Jack Klugman on working with Tony Randall on The Odd Couple
Clip begins at: 13:14, Duration: 01m 09s- Jack Klugman on getting asked to play the role of "Oscar" on the TV version of The Odd Couple
Clip begins at: 10:54, Duration: 02m 01s 
Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple - "Password" with guest Allen Ludden
Clip begins at: 00:02, Duration: 01m 25s- Jack Klugman on his Quincy, M.E. character being two heroes in one
Clip begins at: 03:58, Duration: 02m 13s 
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
Clip begins at: 20:37, Duration: 04m 59s
Jack Klugman on working with Ethel Merman in Gypsy
Clip begins at: 12:39, Duration: 01m 24s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in South Philadelphia; on how his love of muckrakers lead to his role on Quincy, M.E.; on loving to gamble; on being drafted in War World II; on his interest in acting; on his first acting experiences; on his classmates in school
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On moving to New York; on being roommates with Charles Bronson and working for Ed McMahon's father; on off-Broadway work; on Ethel Winant casting him in a show; on Summer Stock productions; on being a stage manager for productions; on his Broadway debut in "Mr. Roberts"; on his impression of early television; on an early TV production with John Daly; on great advice from director Robert Mulligan
Clip begins at: 13:06 - Part 2
- On differences between theater and television; on working with director Robert Mulligan; on how he got jobs in early television; on working on anthology drama Studio One; on directors he worked with in live television - Sidney Lumet, George Roy Hill, John Frankenheimer, Fielder Cook, Delbert Mann; on working with Ethel Merman in Gypsy
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working with on Martin Ritt; on film actors being scared of television; on his role in Twelve Angry Men; on writing "Big Break" and "Code of the Corner" for Kraft Television Theatre; on writers Paddy Chayefsky and Bob Fosse
Clip begins at: 18:49 - Part 3
- On co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart; on Fred Coe; on production moving from New York to LA; on Playhouse 90, which originated in LA; on how tape affected live television
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On commuting to LA from NY; on appearing on four episodes of The Twilight Zone; on Alex Segal thinking of him for comedic roles; on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders; on the Hollywood Blacklist
Clip begins at: 13:46 - Part 4
- On the Hollywood Blacklist contd.; on his starring role in Harris Against the World; on his first appearance in the Broadway play The Odd Couple - replacing Walter Matthau; on getting cast as "Oscar" in the stage play and TV versions of The Odd Couple; on working with Tony Randall and Garry Marshall
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On writers Jerry Belson and Harvey Miller; on directors Jerry Paris and Jay Sandrich; on the TV debut of The Odd Couple on September 24, 1970 and reaction to the show; on network concerns that The Odd Couple was about a homosexual couple; on The Odd Couple going from single to multicamera and getting a live audience; on working with Penny Marshall and guest stars on The Odd Couple
Clip begins at: 16:27 - Part 5
- On his favorite episode of The Odd Couple, "Password"; on The Odd Couple's poor ratings and the show ending in 1975
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On starring in Quincy, M.E.; on his brother beginning to write for Quincy, M.E.;
Clip begins at: 03:51 - On his illness; on Tony Randall approaching him about a one-performance revival of The Odd Couple; on "The Sunshine Boys"; on how important it is for him to continue working; on his advice to aspiring actors; on his thoughts on "the Golden Age of television"; on his contribution to television; on how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 14:11
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
Professions
mr. Klugman's Wardrobe Furnished By Both Mcgregor Sportswear & Botany 500
The Quincy Team To Do a Quincy, M.E. Reunion
i got Quincy, M.E. Seasons 1 & 2 & Season 3 On DVD I'am a Big Fan Of Quincy, M.E. When Season 4 Of Quincy, M.E. Comes Out On DVD
Mr. Klugman rocks, and I'm so glad this full interview exists!
superb actor
Best character of the best sitcom ever!
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