Jack Klugman - Tony and Me: A Story of Friendship

A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP

with Burton Rocks

GOOD HILL PRESS
WEST LINN, OREGON

Copyright 2005 Jack Klugman

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Good Hill Press
19363 Willamette Dr. PMB #232
West Linn, Oregon 97068-2010

ISBN 10: 0-9768303-0-2 (Print)

ISBN 13: 978-0-9768303-0-6 (Print)

Photo Sources:
Joan Marcus Photography
119 W. 23rd St
New York., N.Y. 10011-2427

Springer Associates Public Relations
Gary Springer
150 Broadway, #506
New York, N.Y. 10036

Personality Photos
P.O. Box 300050
Midwood Station Booklyn, N.Y. 11230-0050
Personalityphotos.com

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A bout a year ago, my father made a bet with me: if he finished writing the first draft of a book about his friendship with Tony Randall, I would help him publish it. I agreed, pretty confident that it would never happen. After all, he wasnt a writer and I wasnt a publisher. It just seemed like one of those things wed talk about but never actually realize. I shouldve known my father better than that. He always does exactly what he promises.

The first indication I got that he was serious came when he started working with a writer, Burton Rocks. It was Burton who broke first ground with Jack by helping him sort through thirty years of a great friendship. Together, they assembled a terrific and all-important first draft of Tony and Me in February of 2005.

Since then, it seems like an army of people have helped my father collect on his bet. From Garry Marshall who opened his entire library of photos to me (it was Heather Hall who actually had the key) to Lori Marshall who helped compose Garrys forewordthank you! And to Heather Randall, who not only supplied her blessing but also the family photos and those rare, early shots of Tony as a young manthank you for your trust.

Many thanks to Fred Walker, Tonys right-hand man at the National Actors Theatre, for pointing me in all the right directions. I owe much gratitude to Joan Marcus, one of those right directions and an amazing photographer who either donated or snapped almost every N.A.T. photo in the book. And to her public relations counterpart for the N.A.T., Gary Springer, thanks for the last minute care package of photos.

Many, many thanks to Al Molinaro, John Byner, and Pat Morita, and Elinor Donahue. And for all the truly free advice thanks to Shirley Klein, Les Abell, Susan Hayes, Lisa Montanaro, Oren Teicher, Andy Tobias, Sam Gores, Jennifer Glassman, and Lydia Wills. Im always amazed by how much I depend on the generosity of people I have yet to meet in person.

BIG thanks to Paramount Studios, Larry McAllister and Michael Arkin for their help with the licensing of The Odd Couple gag reel footage. The DVD adds a dimension to Jack and Tonys relationship that photos could never capture.

And to my wife, whose patience is matched only by her attention to detail, thanks for the eagle eye and the unconditional support. I regularly depend on them both.

And finally, my deepest love and gratitude to my brother David who predicted for years that the three of us would work on a project together. You were right. Thanks for breathing life into the book when I doubted it, for always listening so deeply, and for continuing to guide me with your vision and intelligence.

It is my hope that people will enjoy reading Tony and Me as much I have enjoyed putting it all together. Yes, I lost to my old man, but its okay. Because after a lifetime of gambling, it might just be that my father has finally placed a bet where everyone wins.

Adam Klugman

by

I t has been more than thirty-five years since my writing partner Jerry Belson and I developed the television series The Odd Couple from Neil Simons play. Despite the passage of time, whenever someone mentions The Odd Couple I smile like it was yesterday. I went on to create twelve other prime-time television series, but The Odd Couple remains one of the shows of which Im most proud.

At the time, I was pretty new to television and I went to work everyday of the first season scared to death. My title was Executive Producer (which today is known as the show runner) and I desperately wanted to do a good job. Unfortunately, I didnt even know what a good job looked like.

One thing I did know was that people were looking to me for answers and I had to be ready with them. I had to make a decision right or wrong. There were a few things, however, I was sure of: I knew a good joke from a bad one and I recognized talent when I saw it. So, when it came to casting The Odd Couple I was very clear about my choice of Tony and Jack. The final decision came after a few potentially disastrous casting considerations such as Mickey Rooney in the part of Oscar and Dean Martin as Felix. But, from the moment I envisioned Jack and Tony in the parts, there was never a second thought.

As you might suspect, Jack and Tony were more different than two actors could possibly be: one liked to yell, and the other hated yelling. One dressed in rumpled clothing; the other preferred tailored suits and crisp white button-down shirts. One liked sports; and the other liked opera. One called his bookie; the other called his wife. But the truly amazing part was that their differences never interfered with our work. Jack and Tony were consummate professionals who set a high bar not only for me, but also for the entire cast and crew who proudly followed their lead.

One of my favorite stories about The Odd Couple occurred on the very first day of shooting. We were on location in New York filming the opening credits. As we prepared a shot, Tony and Jack waited in a limousine together. After a few minutes Tony suddenly bolted out of the limo and said, I cant possibly sit in a limousine with this man. He smokes! I cant have smoke going up my nose. It irritates my sinuses! If my sinuses get irritated, I have a sinus attack and I make odd noises and people stare at me. Thusly, I quit.

Then Jack bolted out the other side of the limousine and said, I cant sit here with this finicky pain in the ass. He keeps complaining about my smoking. Im a smoker! I like to smoke! Thats it. I quit the show. My only thought was: and this is just the first day!

Wait a second, I said. Nobody is quitting. Lets talk about it this.

They waited for me to make a decision. I was the boss. I had to make a decision right or wrong. Instinctively, I knew that I shouldnt take sides. So, I said quietly, Youre both right.

They seemed a little startled that I would agree with both of them.

We are? they asked.

Yes. Weve made a terrible mistake. And thats why were going to hire a second limousine. One will be smoking for Jack, and the other will be non-smoking for Tony, I said. Okay?

There was silence. Then, much to my relief, they both smiled and agreed to my new plan.