although he's best known for his st...

although he's best known for his starring parts in the television series "The supernumerary Couple" and "Quincy, M.E.," Jack Klugman boasts an acting take back that might just surprise you. He computes the 1957 masterpiece "12 Angry Men" opposite Henry Fonda, side sheltered from the wind J. Cobb and E.G. Marshall, as individual of his best roles and favorite film experiences. (With the passing of actor Jack Warden last month Klugman is the single one of the 12 main stars of the film who is still alive.)

And he's a survivor, one as well as the other in his professional and personal lives. admitting he lost a vocal cord to cancer in the early 1990 Klugman has continued to act. His principally recent project is "When Do We Eat?" a quirky family dramedy in which he plays Artur, the grandfather in a Jewish household struggling with inner evil spirits and prejudices. One unique seder dinner changes all their lives for the better. The film has just been released onward DVD by Hart Sharp Video.

Klugman talked to the Sun-Times about the film and life.

Q to what extent much fun was it to make this quirky movie?

A. I lov each minute of making it. I in such a manner enjoyed this one. I lov the script, the story.

Q What does the film say about "the family"?

A. It says everything. each family is dysfunctional in one way. The film says you must be make open and have an open mind. The merely way to enjoy life is to be emancipated to include everything and not close up out those you love. You decide what you do with your life and don't give anyone other including your family members, the power to knock you down. That's what I have always told my acknowledge kids. If you don't please you first, you can't please the world.

Q by what mode did the relatively young cast react to working with an elderly sage like Jack Klugman?

A. [Laughs] They treated me like I was an not new relic, like I'm gonna die. I'm not new but I'm not fragile. on the other hand they were all so sweet. I not gave out advice unless they asked. And when I did, they really listened.

Q What besides is occupying your time these days?

A. I'm 84 years not new and I'm doing a play in Brunswick, novel Jersey, about the blacklisting during the Communist witch pursues of the 1950s. It's not an worthy of great praise play, but it's a suitable play. I'm also doing a one-man point out that I take on the road to Florida.

Q You've had your share of useful times and bad. Looking back, has it been a great life?

A. I've had in the same state [i]or[/i] condition a wonderful life. When I started my one-man present to view my good pal Garry Marshall said write down the names of all the celebrities you've worked with. equable I was impressed. The list included Humphrey Bogart, John Barrymore, James Mason, Jackie Gleason, Henry Fonda and Tony [Randall].

Q Speaking of the late, great Tony Randall, the DVD of "The redundant Couple" is also coming revealed How much did he mean to you?

A. I still can't imagine a world without him. I think about him all the time. I have pictures of him all through the whole extent of the place. He was for a like reason well-rounded. We'd go out to a museum and he'd teach me more about art in sum of two units hours than I could learn in four days. And in succession the way home, he'd always run over me the best dirty witticism He brought me back to the theater when I missing my voice. I had no idea it was gonna be that bad. further Tony was the first [i]role[/i] to visit me, outside my kids, and he says to me "Well, it's not like you evermore sounded like Richard Burton to begin with." He was the best.

unless I wish the DVD had more than just the first season forward it. It wasn't a convenient season at all. From the inferior season on, we did our best work. And a hazard of what we did was improvised. nevertheless we were canceled after each season for the first five years, until we really took opposite But we were so cheap -- it alone cost about $125,000 per episode including salaries -- that they would just iterate us every fall.

Q Your favorite leading lady?

A. Ethel Merman. She was in the way that articulate and so bold. I adored her.

Q The part that meant the most to you?

A. It would have to be a stage part probably "I'm Not Rappaport." I lov that single in kind "The Prize" was also common of my favorites.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided according to ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved