Who’s Still Alive From ‘The Odd Couple’?

Lauren Novak May 17, 8:00 am

THE ODD COUPLE, Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, 1970-1975 — Everett Collection

The Odd Couple, an ABC sitcom developed by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson from Neil Simon‘s play, starred Tony Randall as neat, nervous Felix and Jack Klugman as messy sportswriter Oscar Madison. The series ran from September 24, 1970, to March 7, 1975, and followed two divorced men trying to share one New York apartment without driving each other crazy. The show still airs on Catchy Comedy, which currently lists The Odd Couple weeknights at 12:30 am ET and 9:30 pm PT.

Randall’s May 17 death anniversary makes it a fitting time to look back at the cast, especially since so many of the show’s best-known faces are no longer with us. Let’s find out who from The Odd Couple is still living and what they’re up to.

Elinor Donahue as Miriam Welby

Everett Collection; Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Elinor Donahue, 89, is the most recognizable surviving member of the show’s recurring adult cast. She played Miriam Welby, Felix’s girlfriend, beginning in the third season, giving Felix a romantic storyline before the series eventually brought him back to his ex-wife, Gloria. Donahue was already a familiar TV face by then, best known for playing Betty Anderson on Father Knows Best.

After The Odd Couple, Donahue kept working steadily on television for decades. She appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, Star Trek, Mork & Mindy, Days of Our Lives, The Golden Girls, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She also appeared in Pretty Woman and later retired from acting.

Monica Evans as Cecily Pigeon

THE ODD COUPLE, Jack Lemmon, Monica Evans, Carole Shelley, 1968

Everett Collection

Monica Evans, 85, played Cecily Pigeon, one half of the Pigeon Sisters, opposite Carole Shelley as Gwendolyn. The Pigeon Sisters were already part of The Odd Couple history before the sitcom, since Evans and Shelley had played the roles on Broadway and in the 1968 film before appearing in the TV version. Evans’ appearances were limited to the first season, but Cecily and Gwendolyn remain part of the show’s larger legacy. Disney fans also remember Evans as the voice of Maid Marian in the 1973 animated film Robin Hood.

Pamelyn Ferdin as Edna Unger

Everett Collection; Getty Images/Newsmakers

Pamelyn Ferdin, 67, played Edna Unger, Felix’s daughter, on The Odd Couple. Ferdin had a busy career as a child actress and voice performer. She voiced Lucy Van Pelt in A Boy Named Charlie Brown and other Peanuts projects, voiced Fern in Charlotte’s Web, and appeared on shows including Star Trek, The Brady Bunch, The Paul Lynde Show, and Space Academy. She later left acting and became known for her work as an animal rights activist.

Willie Aames as Leonard Unger

Everett Collection; Trae Patton/Endemol Entertainment/Everett Collection

Willie Aames, 65, played Leonard Unger, Felix’s son, in the 1971 episode “Win One for Felix.” Leonard, like Edna, was not often on the show, but the character gave viewers a glimpse of Felix as a father outside the apartment he shared with Oscar. Aames went on to become best known as Tommy Bradford on Eight Is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on Charles in Charge. He also voiced Hank on the animated Dungeons & Dragons series and later starred in the Bibleman video series.

Leif Garrett as Leonard Unger

Everett Collection; Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Pantages Theatre)

Leif Garrett, 64, also played Leonard Unger, taking over the role of Felix’s son after Willie Aames. Garrett was still a child actor when he appeared on The Odd Couple, before his later teen idol years made him a regular presence in magazines, music, and movies. After The Odd Couple, Garrett appeared in films and TV projects including Walking Tall, Family, Three for the Road, and The Outsiders. He also had a pop music career, with his biggest hit being “I Was Made for Dancin’.” His later life included well-publicized personal struggles, but Garrett remains one of the show’s surviving former child cast members.

In Memoriam

Tony Randall, who played Felix Unger, died on May 17, 2004, at age 84 after a long illness.

Jack Klugman, who played Oscar Madison, died on December 24, 2012, at age 90 from prostate cancer.

Al Molinaro, who played Officer Murray Greshler, died on October 30, 2015, at age 96, of complications from an infected gallbladder.

Penny Marshall, who played Oscar’s secretary Myrna Turner, died on December 17, 2018, at age 75 due to complications of diabetes.

Brett Somers, who played Oscar’s ex-wife Blanche Madison and was married to Klugman in real life, died on September 15, 2007, at age 83 from stomach and colon cancer.

Janis Hansen, who played Felix’s ex-wife Gloria, died on November 30, 2021, at age 81.

Joan Hotchkis, who played Oscar’s girlfriend, Dr. Nancy Cunningham, died on September 27, 2022, at age 95 from congestive heart failure.

Where to Watch The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple currently airs on Catchy Comedy weeknights at 12:30am ET and 9:30pm PT. The series is also available to buy digitally on platforms such as Apple TV, where individual episodes and seasons are available for purchase.