Jack Klugman: cancer survivor. File photoActor Jack Klugman has been selected by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to be the recipient of the first-ever Champions of Hope Award to be presented at its 10th annual “Broadway on Beachside” event in Westport Sunday, July 17, it was announced today.
Jim Calhoun, University of Connecticut head basketball coach and a cancer survivor, is scheduled to present the award to Klugman, 83, best known for his portrayal of the slovenly sportswriter Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple” television series.
Karen Rouse, senior vice president of marketing and communications for the ACS’s New England Division, said the award is “for giving voice to the fight against cancer through education and advocacy.
She said that Klugman, who lost a vocal cord to cancer in the early 1990s, has since continued his stage and on television acting while supporting health issues and doing an ACS public service announcement.
In addition to “The Odd Couple,” which ran from 1970 to 1975 and for which he won two Emmy awards, Klugman starred in several classic films including “Twelve Angry Men” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”
He also won an Emmy for his work on the television series “The Defenders” and appeared in four episodes of the “The Twilight Zone.” He also starred in his TV hit “Quincy, M.E.,” which ran from 1976-1983. He was married to Westport actress Brett Somers, who co-starred with him in “The Odd Couple.”
“Broadway on Beachside” highlights Broadway performances and celebrities, and culminates with a grant presentation to ACS researchers. The event has raised more than $3 million and funded 11 cancer researchers since its inception in 1995.
Co-chairs of the event include Cissy and Donald Hornung and Maggie and Bob Hornung. There is a minimum donation of $300 per person to attend. For further information contact Gayle Alswanger at (203) 563-1513 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
