Tony Randall was born Aryeh Leonard Rosenberg on February 26, 1920, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Tulsa Central High School, Northwestern University, and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.
After graduating, Randall began his acting career on stage, starring in two plays: George Bernard Shaw's 'Candida' and Emlyn Williams' 'The Corn Is Green'. He then served in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II and later returned to the stage, working at the Olney Theatre in Montgomery County and in New York City.
In the 1940s, Randall appeared in supporting roles on Broadway before landing his first leading role in 1955 with 'Inherit the Wind'. He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in 1958's 'Oh, Captain!' and later starred in the 1957 film Oh, Men! Oh, Women!
Randall's breakthrough role came in 1957 with the satirical comedy Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. He went on to work prolifically throughout the 1960s, starring in films such as Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, and Send Me No Flowers.
In the 1970s, Randall began to focus on television, starring in the series Mister Peepers and later, The Odd Couple, opposite Jack Klugman. He earned Emmy nominations for his work on The Odd Couple and won in 1975. He later starred in The Tony Randall Show and Love, Sidney.
Randall continued to work in film and television throughout his career, appearing in a few well-known films and guest-starring on various TV shows. He also continued to work on stage, albeit infrequently.
Tony Randall passed away on May 17, 2004, at the age of 84, due to complications from pneumonia following coronary bypass surgery. He is survived by his wife, Heather Harlan, and their two children, as well as his previous wife, Florence Gibbs, whom he was married to until her death in 1992.
