as he still had 26 weeks left on his contract with ABC. So, Tebet had a series of guest hosts on the program until Carson took over hosting duties in October 1962. Over the next decade, Tebet met the accommodations of Bob Hope and lured Dean Martin, James Garner, O. J. Simpson and Redd Foxx to NBC. After nearly 20 years of working in talent relations, Tebet resigned from the network in 1979. After NBC and personal life After he left NBC, Carson founded Carson Productions and Tebet became vice president of the company. Tebet left Carson Productions in 1993. Tebet's sole marriage was to stage and television actress Nanette Fabray. They were wed in 1947 and divorced in 1951. Tebet was said to be the inspiration for Felix Unger, the fastidious divorcé in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. The slovenly Oscar Madison was reportedly based on Tebet's onetime roommate, songwriter Sammy Cahn. Tebet was also writer Paddy Chayefsky’s model for Max Schumacher, the level-headed television executive played by William Holden in the movie Network. For his contributions to television, Tebet was granted the medallion for distinguished service by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was also a lifetime member of the board of governors of the New York Friars Club alongside Frank and Barbara Sinatra. Death Tebet died on June 7, 2005, due to complications of a recent stroke he suffered. He was 91. He was survived by many nieces and nephews. References External links 1913 births 2005 deaths People from Atlanta People from Philadelphia Temple University alumni NBC executives