About Tony Randall


Tony Randall was a beloved actor who found success on stage and screen. He made his New York debut in 1941 in A Circle of Chalk. By 1955, he starred in the original production of Lawrence and Lee’s Inherit the Wind. Mr. Randall also enjoyed a film career including 3 films with Doris Day and Rock Hudson Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, and Send Me No Flowers.He starred with some of the most glamorous movie stars of the time including with Marilyn Monroe in Let's Make Love, Jayne Mansfield in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Kim Novak in Boys Night Out and Debbie Reynolds in The Mating Game. His television career began in the 1950’s with One Man’s Family and Mr. Peepers from 1952-1955 which was a great success.

However, most of the world knows Tony Randall from his iconic portrayal of "Felix Unger" in the sitcom The Odd Couple which co-starred his life-long friend Jack Klugman and ran from 1970-1975. Both Tony and Jack earned Emmy awards for their portrayals of the classic TV characters and they live on in reruns all over the globe.

In 1991, Randall created the National Actors Theater, a New York-based repertory company devoted to classical theatre as well as emphasizing the importance of the actor. Notable productions include Al Pacino in The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui, George C. Scott and Charles Durning in Inherit the Wind, Martin Sheen in The Crucible and Maximillian Schell in Judgement at Nuremburg. In all, NAT produced 16 shows on Broadway, four of which earned Tony nominations for Best Revival of a Play.

Tony Randall passed away in 2004. After his death, the lights were dimmed on Broadway to remember the beloved stage and television actor.
“The dramatic literature from every country, beginning with Greece, is our heritage. It is not to be read; it is to be seen on stage. Most Americans know little of it. This is our challenge, our duty, and our mission in life to bring live theatre to our city and country at a price which families can afford.”
-Tony Randall