'The Odd Couple': Tony Randall's Sad Cause Of Death In Memoriam

Tony Randall (right), is best known for his role as "Felix" in 'The Odd Couple', appearing in the series from 1970 to 1975 along with Jack Klugman, who played "Oscar".

The TV show, based on Neil Simon's 1965 play of the same name, revolves around two divorced men whose completely different personalities make their everyday life as roommates challenging, yet very funny.

In 1975, Randall took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, for his work in the comedy show.

Born on February 26, 1920 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Jewish parents Julia and Moescha, Tony Randall attended Northwestern University and later on studied along with choreographer Martha Graham at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

Before his on-screen debut, Randall worked as a radio announcer. He was also very interested in taking ballet classes, so he eventually became a semi-professional dancer.

As many other stars born in the '20s, Randall was in the military, serving as a cryptologist at the United States Army Signal Corps during the Second World War. He eventually got the rank of first lieutenant.

After being discharged, he worked at the Maryland-based Olney Theatre, and then got his first acting role in the radio series 'I Love a Mystery', playing "Reggie".

Tony Randall made his film debut in 'Saboteur' (1942), but his major breakthrough on the big screen took place in the 1957 film 'Oh, Men! Oh, Women!', starring as "Cobbler". 

That same year, he shared screen with the late Jayne Mansfield in 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?' and was part of the main cast of 'No Down Payment'.

His acting skills were no limited to film and TV. In fact, Randall was a successful Broadway star as well. In 1958 he played the main role in 'Oh, Captain!', which earned him a Tony Award nomination for his 5-minute dance sequence along with Alexandra Danilova.

As of his love life, in 1938 the 'Odd Couple' actor married his high school sweetheart, Florence Gibbs.

They never had children, but remained as husband and wife until Florence's death from cancer in 1992.

In 1995, 75-year-old Randall got married to his second wife, 25-year-old Heather Harlan (picture), whom he met while working on 'The School for Scandal'. The couple shared two children, daughter Julia and son Jefferson, born in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Tony and Heather remained married until his 2004 death. In his final years, they made multiple red-carpet appearances as a couple.

Quick facts about the 'Odd Couple' actor:

• He became a parent for the first time at age 77
• Was an avid collector of antiques and opera recordings
• Appeared on 'Late Show with David Letterman' not only once or twice, but 70 times
• Suffered from tinnitus and encouraged the public to seek treatment through an American Tinnitus Association announcement
• His final on-screen appearance took place in the 2005 film 'It's About Time Mr. Rosenberg', releaed posthumously

In December 2003, the star underwent heart bypass surgery, which unfortunately led him to contract pneumonia, remaining hospitalized for five months.

On May 17, 2004 news about his death broke. The star died in his sleep at NYU Medical Center, from pneumonia complications. Wife Heather was by his side.

Tony Randall was interred at Hastings-on-Hudson, New York's Westchester Hills Cemetery. As a tribute to the actor, Broadway theaters dimmed their lights on May 18.