Words By Raymond Tyler
I surmise that Jack Klugman was born looking like "everybody's favorite uncle." His talent to bring that "any and every man" feel to a role is why he is one of my favorite actors period.
As it relates to The Twilight Zone his ability to not only nail a role but to live and breath that role is what makes him a great actor in regards to his TZ roles.
What made Mr. Klugman a national treasure was his ability to capture that believability through out a series as he did year after year on The Odd Couple, for a half hour as he did in the TZ episodes Passage for Trumpet and in a Game Of Pool, Klugman has even shined in the movies as he did in the original 12 Angry Men.
It's no wonder why Klugman has starred in more episodes of TZ than any one (except Burgess Meredith with whom he's tied.)
In Passage For Trumpet-Klugman totally sells me the fact that he's engaging the arch Angel Gabriel on the lower east side.
In a Game of Pool-Klugman inter acts with another national treasure Johnathan Winters. Winters himself embraces the role that makes you wonder why it was originally written for Jackie Gleason. Anyway Klugman as Jessie Cardiff is remarkable from the opening scene til the point you see him fade into the stars.
Death Ship-Was probably his weakest performance on the TZ but the script was not that great and they stretched out what would have been a tight 30 minute script to an hour.
In Praise Of Pip-Klugman and Billy Mummy both turn in two of the best performances ever on TV.
I never pass up the change to watch any one of his 3 half hour performances from The Twilight Zone.
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