A solid if seemingly unexceptional player for decades, Albertson finally achieved widespread popularity and the critical acclaim he deserved late in life. He returned to stage work occasionally and enjoyed a Tony-winning Broadway success as the harsh, emotionally distant father in the intense family drama, "The Subject Was Roses" (1965). Recreating the role onscreen opposite Martin Sheen and Patricia Neal several years later, Albertson won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor of 1968. Finally, in the 1970s Albertson won his first of two Emmys for a guest stint on the variety show "Cher", making him one of only three actors (along with Melvyn Douglas and Paul Scofield) to win the "triple crown" of awards (Oscar, Emmy and Tony). Albertson won a second Emmy for the role for which he is probably best remembered, cantankerous but good-natured garage owner Ed Brown, "the man", opposite Freddie Prinze in the NBC-TV sitcom, "Chico and the Man" (1974-78). Brother of equally omnipresent TV character actor Mabel Albertson.