Per AP...

LOS ANGELES - Former "Quincy, M.E." star Jack Klugman sued NBC Universal Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show's profits and owes him money. Klugman, 85, played the crime-busting Dr. R. Quincy on the show from 1976 to 1983.
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His 1976 contract with NBC entitles him and his company, Sweater Productions, to 25 percent of the show's "net profits," according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Klugman claims his copy of the contract was lost when his agent died, and NBC has refused to provide a copy.

The lawsuit aims to force NBC to divulge the contract and award Klugman attorneys' fees. It also asks the court to clarify the terms of the agreement.

"I recently heard that they made $250 million and it's still on TV in Germany. I don't want their money. I want my money," Klugman told The Associated Press. "I worked my tail off. I got up at four in the morning and stayed at the studio. I did rewrite, I edited."

Calls to NBC Universal Friday seeking comment Friday were not immediately returned.

NBC provided Klugman with an accounting statement showing the series had lost $66 million through 2006, according to the suit. However, Klugman said he believes NBC is lying, and that it made money.

I hope Klugman lives long enough to see the suit settled.

I hope Klugman lives long enough to see the suit settled.

Me too :thumbsup:

Me as well

I thought it just seemed odd that after all these years and such an advanced age that Klugman would bring a lawsuit against NBC. I haven't seen Quincy in years.

I am beginning to wonder if the death of his wife Brett Somers has anything to do with him filing now? Though they were separated since 1974, they never divorced. Remember, Jack remarried shortly after Brett's death. He married the woman he had been living with for many years. I wonder if Jack was worried if he sued while Brett was alive, she may have received 50% of what he may get from this lawsuit. They did afterall, live here in California, the 50/50 state. ;)

Maybe the court will order an independent audit. Jack was really good as Quincy and (I think) NBC has made a lot of money on the show. I hope Jack is able to collect what he is owed.

Before there was Crossing Jordan, there was Quincy. I believe it was the first show to have a coroner as its' star character.

I was so surprised when I read this story. It's hard to imagine someone having to wait this long to get paid.


Before there was Crossing Jordan, there was Quincy. I believe it was the first show to have a coroner as its' star character.

Jack Klugman guest starred on Crossing Jordan as Dr. Leo Gelber. Very cool!
I bought season one of Quincy when it came out on DVD in 2005. Still waiting for season 2, of course.:rolleyes:

I wonder if Jack was worried if he sued while Brett was alive, she may have received 50% of what he may get from this lawsuit. They did afterall, live here in California, the 50/50 state. ;)


Irene, I think that you have hit the nail right on the head.

Irene, I think that you have hit the nail right on the head.
:lol: I am glad someone noticed my post. :lol:

Hmmmm, do you think so? I mean, it is weird timing (to me). The man is getting old and it isn't as if this occurred overnight.

Jack Klugman guest starred on Crossing Jordan as Dr. Leo Gelber. Very cool!
I bought season one of Quincy when it came out on DVD in 2005. Still waiting for season 2, of course.:rolleyes:

I did see that Crossing Jordan episode. I didn't watch that show regularly, but when I heard Klugman was on it, I had to watch. It was nice that the show paid its respects to its predecessor.

:lol: I am glad someone noticed my post. :lol:

Hmmmm, do you think so? I mean, it is weird timing (to me). The man is getting old and it isn't as if this occurred overnight.


If it's true he's sounds really cheap.

If it's true he's sounds really cheap.

Sort of. But, if we want to play devil's advocate, why would anyone one want to give someone half of "their" stuff that they earned if they no longer wanted to be with that person for one reason or another. I have no proof, but i don't see the split up as amicable.

Sort of. But, if we want to play devil's advocate, why would anyone one want to give someone half of "their" stuff that they earned if they no longer wanted to be with that person for one reason or another. I have no proof, but i don't see the split up as amicable.
They separated in 1974. When was Quincy on the air?

They separated in 1974. When was Quincy on the air?
After the Odd Couple had ended, I believe Quincy debuted during the fall of 1976.

After the Odd Couple had ended, I believe Quincy debuted during the fall of 1976.

Yes, it was originally part of the NBC Mystery Movie line up with the likes of "McCLoud", McMillan & Wife, Columbo, & Banacek with two hour episodes. I think they didn't have Quincy as an independent one hour show until Season 2.

I recently re-watched the first two seasons on DVD. I loved the show as a kid, but i'm the first to say that it's a bit flawed. One thing that really held my interest was how far laboratory testing has come in the last 30-ish years. Quincy got a LOT done before the advent of simple DNA tests.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/Quincy_1.gif
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/Quincy_2.gif
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/Quincy_3.gif
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/Quincy_4.gif
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/Quincy_5.gif

NBC Mystery Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-hbLGqmzsw&feature=related)

After the Odd Couple had ended, I believe Quincy debuted during the fall of 1976.
Thank you for that info. If they separated in 1974 but never divorced, what he earned or acquired, Brett certainly would have been entitled to at least 50% of that. I don't know what their agreement was for this separation. They certainly kept it mum. Jack may have agreed to support Brett and give her an additional lump sum or an additional amount on top of what ever he may have been giving her. She certainly would have been entitled to what he earned while doing "Quincy", therefore, if he is suing for monies owed to him from that series, Brett would have been entitled to that as well. Which is why it makes me wonder why Jack waited til now to make this an issue.

Talk about creative accounting. You can be sure that the series did not lose 66 mil. I am glad he is taking a stand, whatever his reasoning is.:lol:

Wouldn't the money go to Brett's estate? As a kid, my favorite thing about Quincy was Sam.

It would if whoever is in charge of her estate decides to claim that portion if she was entitled to that income.

I thought it just seemed odd that after all these years and such an advanced age that Klugman would bring a lawsuit against NBC. I haven't seen Quincy in years.

I saw Quincy once in a while on KDOC 56 at 1 PM.

Quincy is on right now, but i am watching some court show.