- One of only nine actors to have won both the Tony and the Oscar for the same role on stage and film. The others are Yul Brynner (The King and I (1956)), Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady (1964)), Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker (1962)), Joel Grey (Cabaret (1972)), Paul Scofield (A Man for All Seasons (1966)), Shirley Booth (Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)), José Ferrer (Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)) and Viola Davis (Fences (2016)).
- Is one of 9 actors to have won the Triple Crown of Acting (an Oscar, Emmy and Tony); the others in chronological order are Thomas Mitchell, Melvyn Douglas, Paul Scofield, Jason Robards, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Plummer.
- Father-in-law of Wes Studi. Ex-father-in-law of R.B. Greaves.
- His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants.
- In 1976, he became the eighth performer to win the Triple Crown of acting. Oscar: Best Supporting Actor, The Subject Was Roses (1968). Tony: Best Supporting Actor, "The Subject Was Roses" (1965). Emmy: Best Actor-Comedy Series, Chico and the Man (1974).
- Uncle of George Englund. This made him the uncle-in-law of Cloris Leachman from 1953 to 1978.
- Father of Maura Dhu Studi. Grandfather of Kholan Studi.
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 28, 1977.
- His widow, June Wallace Thomson, passed away at her home in Los Angeles California on January 9, 2015. Cause of death is unknown.
- Often confused with Arthur O'Connell, whom he co-starred with in two movies.
- Younger brother of Mabel Albertson.
- Won the 1965 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama for "The Subject Was Roses".
- Nominated for the 1973 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Drama for "The Sunshine Boys".
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 10-12. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons (1998).
- Biography in "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pages 6-7. New York: Facts on File (1992). ISBN 0816023387.
- Had a brother but died 4 months after birth.
- Body Cremated and Ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
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