A sad note at Christmastime came with news of the deaths of two great character actors, Jack Klugman and Charles Durning. They were 90 and 89 respectively.Both had unforgettable mugs with New York sensibilities and tough guy demeanors, though their greatest roles showed vulnerability, heart and humor as well. It’s why we know them as well as we do.
Though he initially made his mark in smaller roles, such as juror No. 5 in “12 Angry Men,” Klugman was known mainly for two long running TV roles — the sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison on “The Odd Couple” and the medical examiner who was title character on the procedural drama “Quincy, M.E.”
Durning, meanwhile, was known for dozens of roles, from “The Sting” and “Tootsie” to “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Rescue Me.” He was in “The Muppet Movie” and in
“Dog Day Afternoon” and dozens of TV shows whose names you won’t recall. And for a guy who played Santa Claus at least three times on screen, he died, like Klugman, on Christmas Eve.