'Quincy, M.E.': Jack Klugman's Sad Cause Of Death

Born on April 27, 1922, actor Jack Klugman was best known for his role as "Dr. R. Quincy, M.E." in Universal Studios mystery medical drama series 'Quincy, M.E.', appearing in a total of 147 episodes from 1973 to 1983.

However, his on-screen career started in the '50s, after joining the cast of series 'Suspense' in 1950, as well as films '12 Angry Men' in 1957, and 'Cry Terror!' in 1958.

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-native had five older siblings. They grew up along with their parents, Rose, who worked as a milliner, and Max, who was a house painter. 

As of his personal life, the 'Quincy, M.E.' star married for the first time to Brett Somers in 1953. The couple welcomed two children, sons Adam and David. They separated in 1974 and by 1977 they were oficially divorced.

He then started dating actress Barbara Neugass (picture), whom with he had a relationship for 18 years until 1992.

Finally, the actor had a relationship with Peggy Crosby. They tied the knot in 2008, shortly after his first wife died.

Klugman attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, but was told by his drama teacher that he wouldn't succeed as an actor.

Later on, he served in the American Army during the Second World War. After the war, he started to pursue his acting career in New York City, getting minor roles here and there.

'Quincy, M.E.' wasn't his only notable on-screen project. On the small screen, he appeared as "Oscar Madison" in 'The Odd Couple' from 1970 to 1975, as well as in 'You Again?' playing "Henry Willows" from 1986 to 1987. He also appeared in four episodes of 'The Twilight Zone' playing several different characters between 1960 and 1963.

On the big screen, some of his credits include films like 'Goodbye, Columbus' (1969), which earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as "Ben". In 1976 he starred in 'Two-Minute Warning' as "Sandman", opposite Charlton Heston and John Cassavettes. 

Over the course of the decades, Jack Klugman won several awards for his on-screen roles. 

In 1964 he won an Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, for his appearance on 'The Defenders'.

In 1973 he took home a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, for his role in 'The Odd Couple'. That same year, he was also awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series, for the same show.

Finally, in 2004, he won a TV Land Award for Quintessential Non-Traditional Family, again for 'The Odd Couple'.

Quick facts about the star:

• He enjoyed betting on the horses from a very own age and had his own thoroughbred named Jacklin Klugman.
• He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1974. After undergoing vocal surgery, his voice was left severely damaged.
• Klugman also had a successful on-stage career. In 1960 he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for 'Gypsy'.
• He once said actor Henry Fonda was the greatest star he had worked with.

According to IMDb, Klugman was rumored to have been involved in a feud with 'Three's Company' actor Norman Fell for over four decades.

However, Klugman himself then revealed that he and Fell were good friends and that the supposed feud was just a friendly rivalry between two stars.

Jack Klugman died on December 24, 2012 in his Los Angeles, California home, at age 90.

The official cause of death was ruled prostate cancer. 

The 'Quincy, M.E.' star's ashes were interred in a columbarium at the cemetery of Los Angeles-based Westwood Memorial Park.