RIP Jack Klugman and Charles Durning

Another Christmas gone by and two more Hollywood legends have passed on. Veteran actors Jack Klugman and Charles Durning died over the holiday.

Jack Klugman was best known for his role on the television series “The Odd Couple”, taking the role made famous in the film by Walter Matthau. His Oscar Madison is the one most people have been familiar with. His face is instantly recognizable to television fans of both “The Odd Couple” and his other series “Quincy, ME”. Klugman also made four separate appearances on “The Twilight Zone”, an accomplishment not matched by many other actors. While he spent the majority of his career working on television, he did have a role in the classic 1957 version of 12 ANGRY MEN as Juror #5. Mr. Klugman was 90 years old.

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Charles Durning had a career that spanned both TV and film and was nominated for two Academy Awards. The former pro boxer, WWII veteran, and dance instructor is most recently remembered for his great roles on “Everybody Loves Raymond”, as Peter Griffin’s father on “Family Guy” and Denis Leary‘s father on the FX series “Rescue Me” as well as parts in The Coen Brothers’ O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? as Governor Pappy O”Daniel, a supporting role in Dustin Hoffman‘s TOOTSIE, and a role in the Robert Redford and Paul Newman classic THE STING. Mr. Durning was 89.

Both actors led full careers and lives which is more than many of us can ask for. They will be remembered to fans like us for their lasting works that we will enjoy for years to come. Our thoughts are with their families during this sad time.

Source: New York Times

Tags: Actors, Charles Durning, Jack Klugman, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Obituaries, The Twilight Zone, Tootsie

About the Author

Alex Maidy

TV Critic / Columnist

6,349 Articles Published Started writing in 2012

Favorite Movies: Being There, The Shining, The Royal Tenenbaums, Suspiria, Seven, North By read more Northwest, Citizen Kane, The Monster Squad, Begotten, Fight Club, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Army of Darkness, Children of Men, Blade Runner, The Big Lebowski, Casino, Pi, Dumb and Dumber, The 400 Blows, Small Change, Bonnie & Clyde, Cool Hand Luke, Moulin Rouge, Gangs of New York, Shallow Grave, The Rock, The Incredibles, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, The Gate, Prince of Darkness, Oldboy, The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings, The Tree of Life, The Exorcist III, Midnight Special

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