Jack Klugman (1953-present, separated 1974-present)
Brett Somers (born Audrey Sommers on July 11, 1924) is an actress, singer, and comedienne. She is perhaps best known as a panelist on the 1970s CBSgame showMatch Game.
After moving to New York City, Somers married and had a daughter, Leslie, before divorcing her first husband.[1] In 1953, she married actor Jack Klugman; they had two sons: Adam and David. The couple separated in 1974, but have never divorced.[3]
Somers began her career in theater, and made many of her initial television appearances in theatrical programs like "Philco Playhouse". "Kraft Theater Playhouse 90", and "Robert Montgomery Presents".[4]
Her Broadway debut, in the play "Maybe Tuesday", was a flop; the show closed after five performances.[5] She also appeared in "Happy Ending", "Seven Year Itch", and "The Country Girl" with "Odd Couple" co-star and spouse Jack Klugman.
Somers amassed a number of film credits, including "Getting There", "Bone", "Bus Riley's Back in Town", and "The Great American Beauty Pageant".
Somers had recurring roles as the ex-wife of Oscar Madison (played by real-life spouse Klugman) on the ABCsitcomtelevision seriesThe Odd Couple in the early 1970s, as well as the role of "Siress Belloby" on the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica in 1978.
Somers is perhaps best known for her appearances as a panelist on the 1970s CBSgame showMatch Game. She and the show became known for somewhat outlandish and risque dialogue; the show has been described as having the feel of being at a game at someone's cocktail party. Somers was an iconic on-screen presence, wearing enormous eyeglasses, various wigs, and playing foil to Charles Nelson Reilly, Betty White, Richard Dawson, and Fannie Flagg, among others.
Ironically, Somers was not originally on the celebrity panel. When spouse Jack Klugman appeared on the first week of the program in 1973, he suggested that producers bring her aboard. Her wit and dry humor proved extremely successful, and she would remain a regular panelist for the remainder of the show's nine year network and syndicated run.[6]
Somers was part of a Match Game reunion" an episode of CBS' The Early Show (2002), when she was joined by Charles Nelson Reilly and Betty White on-screen. She would appear with Nelson Reilly later that year on The Hollywood Squares.
Somers appeared in an ongoing cabaret show in 2003 and 2004.[7]
Somers was often the subject of questions on Match Game, such as "You may or may not believe in reincarnation, but listen to this. In a previous life, Brett used to be a ________."
Jack Klugman was originally wanted for Match Game, however he asked that they book his wife Brett Somers and she was liked enough that they kept her on as a regular.
According to a Boston Globe article in the early 1980's, Brett Somers was being paid $250,000 a year for her appearance on Match Game.
