Name : Walter John Matthow

Birth : 1 October 1920
Died: 1 July 2000
Nationality :

Comment
Walter Matthau was an actor known for his roles in the 1960's and 1970's. He was a character actor and not a conventional leady man but was good in comedy and drama. He appeared in over 70 films over four decades. He came from a poor imigrant Jewish family. During World War 2 he served in the US air force. After the war he trained in New York and appeared on Broadway. He was spotted by a Hollywood scout and made his film debut in The Kentukian. This led to several other villan roles including in King Creole. Only getting similar film roles he also worked on television and on the stage in this period. In the contemporary western Lonely Are The Brave he showed more of a range of his acting talents. Charade was a popular comedy/thriller and as his popularity rose he was wanted by major directors. In 1964 he appeared in the Cold War thriller Fail safe. He also continued to warok on stage including in the stage version of The Odd Couple. The Fortune Cookie was the first of his 10 films with Jack Lemmon and the film that won him an Oscar. This was the film that moved him up into star category. In 1968 he plays his most famous role in The Odd Couple. Another stage play made into a film was the musical Hello Dolly that was popular at the box office. Cactus FLower saw him starring alongside Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn. Koth was directed by Jack Lemmon and also gained hin a best actor nomination. He then appreaed in several crime films including The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. The Sunshine Boys was another Neil Simon film and also gained him another best actor nomination for his performance opposite George Burns. California Suite was anoth popular Neil Simon written film. He appeared in less films in the 1980's but did have a small role in the Oliver Stone's film JFK. He appeared again with Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men, whilst not their best film was popular at the box office. Although known for his comedy roles he was a more versatile actro than just that.

Films
Grumpy Old Men (1993)
JFK (1991)
California Suite (1978)
Sunshine Boys (1975)
Earthquake (1974)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Kotch (1971)
Ccatus Flower (1969)
Hello Dolly (1969)
Odd Couple (1968)
The Fortune Cookie (1966)
Fail Safe (1964)
Charade (1963)
Lonely Are The Brave (1962)
King Creole (1958)
Kentuckian (1955)

Oscars
Won - Best Supporting Actor - Fortune Cookie (1966)
Nomination - Best Actor - Sunshine Boys (1975)
Nomination - Best Actor - Kotch (1971)