Demond Wilson and the Kid" (1993), and "Hammerlock" (2000). Wilson later starred as Raymond Ellis in the short-lived CBS comedy series "Baby... I'm Back!" and as Oscar Madison, opposite actor Ron Glass (who co-starred as Felix Unger) in the ABC sitcom "The New Odd Couple", a revamped black version of the original 1970–75 series on the same network which starred Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. Wilson lived in Conroe, Texas for many years until 1984, when he became an ordained minister, fulfilling his childhood vow. Later, in 1995, he founded Restoration House, a center that helps rehabilitate former prison inmates by providing
The Odd Couple (1970 TV series) Rooney and Martin Balsam were also considered for the part of Oscar and Dean Martin and Art Carney for Felix (Carney had originated the role on Broadway). Eventually Tony Randall (as Felix) and Jack Klugman (as Oscar) were hired. Both had starred in different productions of the play. Randall, who was hired first, had still wanted Mickey Rooney to play Oscar. The show's co-executive producer, Garry Marshall, had to lobby hard to get Klugman successfully hired. Once the casting was in place, the show's writers (Marshall, Jerry Belson, Jerry Paris, Bob Brunner, Mark Rothman and Lowell Ganz, among others) came