Jack Klugman came into American homes for decades through a variety of TV roles, from his irascible part in The Odd Couple to his clever sleuthing as the star of Quincy M.E.
That wasn’t enough to convince the producers of tonight’s Emmys telecast to include the late star in a tribute segment. Instead, the show will honor Cory Monteith, the Glee cast member who died of a drug overdose earlier this year.
Klugman had multiple Emmy wins. Monteith had none.
TMZ says several Hollywood insiders, who don’t want to be identified, are horrified by the exclusion.
We’ve spoken with several people who have won Emmys who are upset with the decision to give a special honor to Cory Monteith but not Jack Klugman, and they’re all too scared to speak out … for fear of some sort of retaliation….
The Emmys are honoring 5 TV types who died in the last year — 4 of whom have earned their stripes … Jonathan Winters, Jean Stapleton, James Gandolfini, Gary David Goldberg — and then there’s Cory.