Aging actor Tony Randall fantasizes about his funeral

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Actor Tony Randall has a fantasy: when he dies President Bush and Vice President Cheney show up to pay their respects but they're turned away _ because his family knows he didn't

Wednesday, September 24th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Actor Tony Randall has a fantasy: when he dies President Bush and Vice President Cheney show up to pay their respects but they're turned away _ because his family knows he didn't like them.

Feeling his own mortality while suffering a cold, Randall, 83, made his remarks as the National Funeral Directors Association announced a new code of ethics for its members, beginning in 2004.

Funerals should be planned as a celebration of life and ``a touch of humor doesn't hurt a bit,'' Randall said.

A comedian, Randall is best known for his role as Felix Unger in the 1970s sitcom ``The Odd Couple.''

He said his 6-year-old daughter, Julia, is old enough to appreciate the subject of death, and actually revels in it.

``She loves to talk about death,'' Randall said. ``She loves stories about death. If I start a story, she says 'Does anyone die in this?' and I say 'No,' she doesn't want to hear it.''