Tony Randall
You can't talk about Jack Klugman without mentioning Tony Randall. Their on-screen chemistry as the sloppy Oscar Madison and the fastidious Felix Unger in 'The Odd Couple' is the stuff of television legend. The duo's impeccable timing and believable friendship
earned them both Emmys and a permanent place in pop culture. But Randall was a star long before he moved in with Oscar. A gifted stage actor, he also shined on the big screen, often stealing scenes as the witty best friend in romantic comedies like 'Pillow Talk' and 'Lover Come Back' alongside Rock Hudson and Doris Day. For a look at his impressive range, check out the surreal fantasy film '7 Faces of Dr. Lao,' where he plays a staggering seven different roles.
Garry Walberg
If any actor was a consistent presence in Jack Klugman's television life, it was Garry Walberg. Fans of 'The Odd Couple' will recognize him as Oscar's poker buddy, the often-exasperated 'Speed' Deegan. But their collaboration didn't end there. When Klugman took the lead in the medical drama 'Quincy, M.E.', Walberg came with him, playing the gruff but fair Lt. Frank Monahan, Quincy's frequent foil and reluctant ally at the LAPD. A quintessential character actor, Walberg's career spanned decades with guest spots on everything from 'Star Trek' and 'The Twilight Zone' to 'Gunsmoke' and 'Columbo', making him one of the most reliable and recognizable faces on television for nearly 40 years.
Rita Moreno
While she only appeared in a few episodes of 'The Odd Couple', Rita Moreno's guest role as Oscar's girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham, was memorable. But her career is nothing short of legendary. Moreno is one of the very few artists to achieve the coveted 'EGOT'—winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. She won her Academy Award for her iconic performance as Anita in the 1961 classic 'West Side Story'. She later lit up the screen in films like 'Carnal Knowledge' and spent years as a key cast member of the beloved children's show 'The Electric Company'. In a career spanning over 70 years, she's done it all, including a return to 'West Side Story' in Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake.
E.G. Marshall
Before 'The Odd Couple' or 'Quincy', Jack Klugman delivered a powerful performance in the 1957 courtroom masterpiece, '12 Angry Men'. He played Juror #5, a man who grew up in a slum and provides a key perspective. Sharing the jury room with him was E.G. Marshall as the cool, analytical, and seemingly unflappable Juror #4. Marshall was a giant of stage and screen, known for his authoritative presence. He won two Emmy Awards for his leading role in the legal drama 'The Defenders' in the 1960s. His film credits are a tour of American cinema, with memorable roles in 'The Caine Mutiny', 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', 'Nixon', and as the out-of-his-depth President in 'Superman II'.
Robert Ito
As Dr. Quincy's loyal and brilliant lab assistant, Sam Fujiyama, Robert Ito was the calm, scientific core of 'Quincy, M.E.'. His partnership with Klugman was central to the show's success, with Ito providing the methodical analysis that complemented Quincy's passionate hunches. Before his seven-year run on the series, Ito, a Canadian of Japanese descent, was an accomplished ballet dancer and Broadway performer. His acting career is packed with memorable guest spots on shows like 'MAS*H' and 'Kung Fu', and a role in the cult classic film 'The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension'. He also became a prolific voice actor, lending his talents to dozens of animated shows, from 'Batman: The Animated Series' to 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'.
Brett Somers
On 'The Odd Couple', Brett Somers had the recurring role of Blanche, Oscar Madison's sharp-tongued ex-wife. The chemistry was real; she and Jack Klugman were married in real life for many years. While she was a talented actress with a number of stage and screen credits, Somers found her greatest fame in a different arena: the game show circuit. She became a household name in the 1970s as a regular panelist on 'Match Game'. Known for her oversized glasses, witty comebacks, and hilarious banter with fellow panelist Charles Nelson Reilly, Somers became a beloved television personality, proving she was a star in her own right.
Henry Fonda
In '12 Angry Men', Jack Klugman held his own against a cast of acting titans, none more legendary than Henry Fonda. Fonda starred as Juror #8, the lone dissenting voice who forces the other eleven men to re-examine the evidence in a murder trial. Klugman considered Fonda a mentor. Fonda's career is one of Hollywood's most celebrated, defined by roles that embodied American integrity and quiet strength. From his heartbreaking turn as Tom Joad in 'The Grapes of Wrath' to his chilling performance as a villain in 'Once Upon a Time in the West', Fonda's range was immense. He finally won his first competitive Academy Award late in his career for 'On Golden Pond', a poignant final role that cemented his legacy.
