Tony Randall at Northwestern

Tony Randall (1920-2004), born Arthur Leonard Rosenberg on February 26, 1920 at Tulsa, Oklahoma, attended Northwestern University’s School of Speech during the 1937-1938 academic year.  Randall left Northwestern to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York City.  He made his Broadway acting debut in 1941 in “A Circle of Chalk” and appeared in a few more plays before serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II.  After leaving the Army Randall resumed his acting career and in 1957 appeared in his first motion picture role in Oh Men! Oh Women!  He is known for his work on such notable television series as Mr. Peepers, The Odd Couple and The Tony Randall Show.  Randall received an Emmy award in 1975 for his work on The Odd Couple.

The Tony Randall Papers fill four boxes and span the years 1937-1984.  The bulk of the papers consists of clippings from newspapers and magazines concerning Randall’s career, involvement in politics, social engagements, and biographical pieces.  One folder contains Randall’s handwritten class notes from courses he took as a student at Northwestern University (1937-1938).  The notes are identified by course name, and are decorated with frequent sketches of actors (notably John Barrymore); they also indicate the transition from the future actor’s original name, Arthur Rosenberg, to the stage name Anthony Randall. (Click here for this collection's full finding aid.)

Randall in Measure for Measure	Randall, top row at right, and residents of Goodrich House	John Barrymore sketch from notebook
Measure for Measure program, cover	Measure for Measure, cast list; note, Randall is billed as Leonard Rosenberg	Phonetics transcription with Barrymore sketch
Notes on Hamlet	Notes on Hedda Gabler	Notes on Henry IV, Part I and Twelfth Night
Sketch	Sketch page	A page of Barrymore sketches

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