Walter Matthau, a titan of comedy and an unforgettable face in American cinema, was born as Walter Jake Matthow on the bustling streets of New York City's Lower East Side on October 1, 1920. Raised in a melting pot of culture and tenacity, Walter was the son of an immigrant mother from Lithuania and a Russian Jewish father, who earned a living as a peddler and an electrician. While his upbringing was humble, it would serve as a launchpad for a career that left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
Early Life and Career
Matthau's formative years were steeped in the rich diversity of New York. He nurtured his early education at Seward Park High School, and during World War II, he honed his discipline in the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving with distinction as a radioman-gunner. This period not only shaped him but also piqued his interest in the performing arts.
The journey from serviceman to star began modestly with small roles, but it was the year 1968 that saw Matthau leap into the limelight with his portrayal of Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple," alongside his frequent co-star Jack Lemmon. This role not only cemented his status in Hollywood but also sparked a long-standing professional partnership with Lemmon, with the duo becoming one of the industry's most beloved double acts.
Recognition for his talent was abundant. Matthau's mantelpiece boasted an Oscar among other accolades, a testament to the roles that earned him a revered place in cinematic history. His career was not without personal moments; he was married to Carol Grace, with whom he shared a child, and his life was punctuated by diverse interests, a flair for philanthropy, and the occasional brush with controversy.
Walter Matthau's legacy in Hollywood is one of unmatched comedic timing and the ability to bring laughter to the screen in a way few could. His status as an icon is undisputed, characterized by his everyman appeal and his versatility in bringing a smile to audiences worldwide. Matthau was not just an actor; he was a symbol of an era when cinema could be both funny and profoundly human.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Hanging Up | Lou |
| 1998 | The Marriage Fool (TV Movie) | Frank Walsh |
| 1998 | The Odd Couple II | Oscar Madison |
| 1997 | Out to Sea | Charlie Gordon |
| 1996 | I'm Not Rappaport | Nat Moyer |
| 1995 | Grumpier Old Men | Max Goldman |
| 1995 | The Grass Harp | Judge Charlie Cool |
| 1994 | I.Q. | Albert Einstein |
| 1994 | Incident in a Small Town (TV Movie) | Harmon Cobb |
| 1993 | Grumpy Old Men | Max Goldman |
| 1993 | Dennis the Menace | Mr. Wilson |
| 1992 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas! | Video | Narrator (voice) |
| 1992 | Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore (TV Movie) | Harmon Cobb |
| 1991 | JFK | Senator Long |
| 1991 | Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love (TV Movie) | Clifford Pepperman |
| 1990 | The Incident (TV Movie) | Harmon Cobb |
| 1988 | The Little Devil | Padre Maurizio |
| 1988 | The Couch Trip | Donald Becker |
| 1986 | Pirates | Captain Thomas Bartholomew Red |
| 1985 | Movers & Shakers | Joe Mulholland |
| 1983 | The Survivors | Sonny Paluso |
| 1982 | I Ought to Be in Pictures | Herbert Tucker |
| 1981 | Buddy Buddy | Trabucco |
| 1981 | First Monday in October | Dan Snow |
| 1980 | Hopscotch | Miles Kendig |
| 1980 | Little Miss Marker | Sorrowful Jones |
| 1978 | The Stingiest Man in Town (TV Movie) | Ebenezer Scrooge (voice) |
| 1978 | California Suite | Marvin Michaels |
| 1978 | House Calls | Dr. Charley Nichols |
| 1978 | Casey's Shadow | Lloyd Bourdelle |
| 1978 | Actor (TV Movie) | Boris Thomashevsky |
| 1977 | Insight (TV Series) | Adam |
| 1976 | The Bad News Bears | Coach Morris Buttermaker |
| 1975 | The Sunshine Boys | Willy Clark |
| 1974 | The Front Page | Walter Burns |
| 1974 | Earthquake | Drunk (as Walter Matuschanskayasky) |
| 1974 | The Taking of Pelham One Two Three | Lt. Garber |
| 1973 | The Laughing Policeman | Jake Martin |
| 1973 | Charley Varrick | Charley Varrick |
| 1972 | Pete 'n' Tillie | Pete |
| 1972 | Awake and Sing (TV Movie) | Moe Axelrod |
| 1971 | Kotch | Joseph P. Kotcher |
| 1971 | Plaza Suite | Roy Hubley | Jesse Kiplinger | Sam Nash |
| 1971 | A New Leaf | Henry Graham |
| 1969 | Hello, Dolly! | Horace Vandergelder |
| 1969 | Cactus Flower | Dr. Julian Winston |
| 1968 | Candy | Gen. R.A. Smight |
| 1968 | The Secret Life of an American Wife | The Movie Star |
| 1968 | The Odd Couple | Oscar Madison |
| 1967 | A Guide for the Married Man | Paul Manning |
| 1966 | The Fortune Cookie | Willie Gingrich |
| 1965 | Mirage | Ted Caselle |
| 1964–1965 | Profiles in Courage (TV Series) | Andrew Johnson | Gov. John Slaton |
| 1964 | Goodbye Charlie | Sir Leopold Sartori |
| 1964 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Franklin Gaer |
| 1964 | Fail Safe | Dr. Groeteschele |
| 1964 | The Rogues (TV Series) | Aram Rodesko |
| 1964 | Ensign Pulver | Doc |
| 1962–1964 | The DuPont Show of the Week (TV Series) | Tony Maruzella | Harley Downing | Martin Pitt ... |
| 1964 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Tom Gregory |
| 1963 | Charade | Hamilton Bartholomew |
| 1963 | Island of Love | Tony Dallas |
| 1963 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) | Charles Thatcher |
| 1960–1962 | Naked City (TV Series) | Dr. Max Lewine | Peter Kanopolis |
| 1962 | Who's Got the Action? | Tony Gagouts |
| 1956–1962 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Tom Dutton |
| 1962 | Lonely Are the Brave | Sheriff Morey Johnson |
| 1961–1962 | Target: The Corruptors! (TV Series) | Michael Callahan | Martin Kramer |
| 1961 | Tallahassee 7000 (TV Series) | Lex Rogers |
| 1958–1961 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | Phil | Harry Wade | Moran ... |
| 1961 | Great Ghost Tales (TV Series) | Defago |
| 1961 | Route 66 (TV Series) | Sam Keep |
| 1960 | Our American Heritage (TV Series) | John Overton |
| 1960 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Ben Alexander | Philip Judah | James Hyland ... |
| 1960 | Strangers When We Meet | Felix Anders |
| 1960 | Juno and the Paycock (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1959 | Gangster Story | Jack Martin |
| 1958 | Ride a Crooked Trail | Judge Kyle |
| 1958 | Onionhead | 'Red' Wildoe |
| 1958 | Voice in the Mirror | Dr. Leon Karnes |
| 1958 | King Creole | Maxie Fields |
| 1952–1958 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Harry |
| 1957 | Climax! (TV Series) | Charlie Mapes |
| 1957 | Slaughter on 10th Avenue | Al Dahlke |
| 1956–1957 | The Alcoa Hour (TV Series) | George Barry | Bill Egan |
| 1954–1957 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Gordon Wagner |
| 1952–1957 | Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) | Julian | Major Hunter |
| 1957 | A Face in the Crowd | Mel Miller |
| 1956 | Bigger Than Life | Wally Gibbs |
| 1953–1956 | Omnibus (TV Series) | (segment "One Nation Indivisible") | (segment "The Abracadabra Kid") |
| 1955 | The Indian Fighter | Wes Todd |
| 1955 | Justice (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | The Kentuckian | Stan Bodine |
| 1954–1955 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | The Bartender |
| 1952–1955 | The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Stuart Benson | Iago |
| 1952–1954 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Corliss Price |
| 1954 | Ponds Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | Center Stage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | The Motorola Television Hour (TV Series) | Dr. Spinelli |
| 1952–1954 | Danger (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1950–1953 | Studio One (TV Series) | Olsen | Jacobs |
| 1953 | Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Suspense (TV Series) | Lawrence Stevens |
| 1952 | Mister Peepers (TV Series) | Coach Burr (uncredited) |
| 1950–1952 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Intermission Guest | Extra | Craig |
| 1951 | Shadow of the Cloak (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1950 | The Big Story (TV Series) | Unknown |
General:
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