RIP Tony Randall - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

onetime2 · 05-18-2004, 06:44 AM

He was quite funny whether acting or being interviewed. Always seemed like a genuine nice guy.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/news/518_randallobit.html

Quote:

Tony Randall Dies
Best known as "The Odd Couple"'s Felix Unger.
NEW YORK (AP) - Tony Randall, the comic actor best known for playing fastidious photographer Felix Unger on "The Odd Couple," has died. He was 84.

Randall died in his sleep Monday night at NYU Medical Center of complications from a long illness, according to his publicity firm, Springer Associates.

He is survived by his wife, Heather Harlan Randall, who made him a father for the first time at age 77, and their two children, 7-year-old Julia Laurette and 5-year-old Jefferson Salvini.

Randall won an Emmy for playing Unger on the sitcom based on Neil Simon's play and movie, from 1970-75. But he won after the show had been canceled, prompting him to quip at the awards ceremony: "I'm so happy I won. Now if I only had a job."

The show's charm sprang from Randall's chemistry and conflict with Jack Klugman as sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison, with whom he's forced to share an apartment after both men get divorced.

Before that, Randall was best known as the fastidious "best friend" figure in several Rock Hudson-Doris Day movies, including 1959's "Pillow Talk" and 1961's "Lover Come Back."

The actor became a fixture on David Letterman's late-night talk shows, appearing a record 70 times on the "Late Show" alone. He made fun of his own prim image by taking part in Letterman's wacky antics, including allowing himself to be covered in mud.

And in 1993, when Conan O'Brien took over the time slot at NBC that Letterman had vacated for a new show at CBS, Randall was a guest on O'Brien's debut episode.

quadro2000 · 05-18-2004, 06:47 AM

(edited to remove link and story that onetime2 already posted)

I never really watched The Odd Couple, but I thought Tony was a tremendous comedic and dramatic actor and thoroughly enjoyed his work.

What I'm sure will be mentioned in future articles is that he also founded the National Actors Theatre which has hosted some amazing shows, including Brecht's The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui, starring a cast of famous and excellent actors such as Al Pacino, John Goodman, Chazz Palminteri, Steve Buscemi, and of course, Tony. Here's why he founded the theater:

Quote:

I began the National Actors Theatre with the dream to present the world's greatest theatre with the best actors accessible to everyone. In addition, I wanted to create an institution that would educate the community by offering free theatre to students as well as integrate the theatre experience into school curicula. This multifaceted approach to making theatre available to the entire community is what makes NAT an American Institution.

Truly honorable.

Tony also wrote a book about life in the theater called Which Reminds Me, containing a number of funny and memorable anecodates. It was a fun read and was a great way to remind me why actors are actors - because they truly love it and can't imagine themselves doing anything else. Tony was an actor's actor.

We'll miss you, Tony.

Cynthetiq · 05-18-2004, 06:52 AM

He will be missed.

I liked watching him on the talk show circuit. Something he did every day was look up a new word and try to work it into his conversations.

frankgrimes · 05-18-2004, 07:38 AM

he was always hilarious as one of letterman's go to guys.

Fremen · 05-18-2004, 11:56 AM

Tony Randall was a gentleman of the first water.

I liked his performance as Felix Unger much better than Jack Lemmons' portrayal (not to take anything away from Lemmons' work)
TR's performances before The Odd Couple, especially the movie "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?", are the ones I liked the most, though.

R.I.P., Tony.

Hrothgar · 05-18-2004, 03:53 PM

Well it's sad to see him go but his kids are young enough that his wife can remarry and the kids wont be that affected by a "new" dad.

hunnychile · 05-18-2004, 04:52 PM

Tony Randall was a wonderful actor and he lived a good long wonderful life. There will never be another Felix like him!

Thanks for all the laughther and the tears. He will be remembered for a long time as a gentleman, an actor's actor and a scholar.

05-18-2004, 06:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	He will be missed. I liked watching him on the talk show circuit. Something he did every day was look up a new word and try to work it into his conversations. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

05-18-2004, 11:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Tony Randall was a gentleman of the first water. I liked his performance as Felix Unger much better than Jack Lemmons' portrayal (not to take anything away from Lemmons' work) TR's performances before The Odd Couple, especially the movie "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?", are the ones I liked the most, though. R.I.P., Tony. __________________ Google

05-18-2004, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hrothgar He's My Girl Location: The Champagne Douche	Well it's sad to see him go but his kids are young enough that his wife can remarry and the kids wont be that affected by a "new" dad. __________________ The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.

05-18-2004, 04:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Tony Randall was a wonderful actor and he lived a good long wonderful life. There will never be another Felix like him! Thanks for all the laughther and the tears. He will be remembered for a long time as a gentleman, an actor's actor and a scholar. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

05-18-2004, 07:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
frankgrimes Psycho	he was always hilarious as one of letterman's go to guys.