A South Philly Brotherhood That Made It to Hollywood

Behind the scenes of NBC’s long-running Quincy, M.E., a real-life story of loyalty and local roots shaped the show in unexpected ways. Joseph Roman, who played Sgt. Brill in 147 episodes, wasn’t just a lucky casting choice—he was part of a lifelong bond forged in South Philadelphia with none other than Jack Klugman and Charles Bronson.

“I was born between Jack Klugman’s house and the synagogue, so I’m his half-brother,” Roman joked in an interview. As kids, Roman (born Joseph Spallina) and Klugman lived just a few doors apart—Klugman at 607 Morris Street, Roman at 805. The two best friends would sit on the green bench in front of the house, dreaming of being actors, and spend entire weekends watching movies until their mothers—or older cousins—came to track them down.

“You had to be tough,” Roman said of their South Philly neighborhood. “We were all together, Jewish and Italian. We got along terrifically… We took that ‘muscles or brains’ stuff literally.” Their cultural exchange also included food—blintzes and spaghetti, shared among families. Roman said Klugman’s favorite dish was linguine with white clam sauce, which he proudly cooked weekly, even as an adult.

Klugman’s Struggles & Bronson’s Start: Grit from the Ground Up

All for one and one for all!
Jack Klugman and Joe Roman

Jack Klugman, born in 1922 in South Philadelphia, came from a poor family. His father, a house painter, died young, and Klugman grew up with little. Despite the odds, he joined the Army during WWII, then pursued acting through the GI Bill at Carnegie Tech.

Roman’s path was rockier. After his parents divorced, he bounced between relatives and schools. Following Army service, he studied at the New School for Social Research and then at the Bess Hicks School of Dramatic Art, where he met a sharp-suited, rough-looking young man named Charles Bronson (then Charles Buchinsky). Roman recalled: “I laughed so hard I almost dropped the weights. I said, ‘You’re not real,’ like a movie character.”

Bronson and Roman became roommates in Atlantic City, working summers at the shore. Roman even vouched for Bronson when drama school doubted he’d succeed. Though Bronson hated the job and schooling, the friendship stuck. Roman later tried helping Bronson get acting work in New York, but after a famously failed audition, Bronson headed to Hollywood—and the rest is history.

Quincy, Comebacks, and Keeping the Promise

After early stage work (including touring together in Mister Roberts), Roman left acting in 1964, moved to Vermont, and ran a ski lodge. But when his marriage ended, he made a list of 10 people who might help him return to the industry. At the top: Jack Klugman and Charles Bronson.

“When I phoned Jack and told him I was coming out to the Coast,” Roman recalled, “he said, ‘You’ll live with me.’” Bronson, shockingly, lived just three miles away in Vermont. Though his agent claimed there was no part for Roman, Bronson demanded one be written for him—and Roman went on to appear in three Bronson films:

  • St. Ives (1976)
  • The White Buffalo (1977)
  • Love and Bullets (1979)

(Note: While some sources list Murphy’s Law as a fourth film, confusion with actor Richard Romanus makes that credit uncertain.)

Klugman also helped Roman read for Quincy, M.E. producers—leading to the role of Sgt. Brill, a regular from the pilot to the end of the series.

“I’m content. I’m very happy with what I’m doing,” Roman said. “I’ve had seven great years out here with a guy I’ve always loved.”

Though Charles Bronson remained famously private—“He doesn’t socialize with anybody,” Roman said—he kept his word. Meanwhile, Roman and Klugman stayed close, even visiting the racetrack together weekly.

“I’ve known Jack 55 years,” Roman reflected. “He was considered a bum in South Philly because he played the horses. Now that he owns one worth millions, he’s a gentleman sportsman.”, friendship, and consistency can be just as valuable as star power.

Related Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Roman