'Odd couple' partner dies aged 84

US: Tony Randall, the American actor known for his comic role as the lovable but fussy Felix Unger in the television series …

US: Tony Randall, the American actor known for his comic role as the lovable but fussy Felix Unger in the television series The Odd Couple, has died at the age of 84.

"Mr Randall passed away yesterday evening at a hospital after battling with a long term illness since January," said Joe Trentacosta, of Springer Associates Public Relations, which represented him.

Randall underwent triple-bypass heart surgery late last year that left him suffering from pneumonia. He recently had shown signs of recovering and growing stronger but suffered a setback two days ago, Mr Trentacosta said, adding that he died in his sleep at New York University Medical Center.

In a career starting in the 1940s, Randall worked in radio, on Broadway, in television and in film. But he was best known for his Odd Couple role.

READ MORE

He received an Emmy Award just after The Odd Couple was cancelled and in his acceptance speech quipped: "I sure am glad I won. Now if I only had a job." The television series ran from 1970-1975.