Jack Lemmon

The Everyman of American Cinema

Introduction

Jack Lemmon was more than just a movie star—he was a rare talent whose charm, vulnerability, and impeccable timing made him one of the most enduring and relatable figures in American film history. With a career that spanned five decades, Lemmon excelled in both comedy and drama, earning acclaim, awards, and the enduring admiration of audiences and peers alike.

Whether playing the frantic bachelor in The Apartment, the harried businessman in Glengarry Glen Ross, or the neurotic Felix Ungar in The Odd Couple, Lemmon had a singular ability to humanize his roles. He was a master of nuance, a gifted physical comedian, and a dramatic actor of real emotional depth—an "everyman" whose range was as broad as his appeal.

Early Life and Education

John Uhler Lemmon III was born on February 8, 1925, in Newton, Massachusetts, into a middle-class family. His father was the president of a doughnut company, and Lemmon was exposed early to a mix of ambition and New England stoicism.

Lemmon attended Harvard University, where he was president of the Hasty Pudding Club and active in theatre. He also served briefly in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After graduating in 1947, he pursued acting, working in radio and early television before making his way to Broadway and, ultimately, Hollywood.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Lemmon’s first film role came in The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949), but his breakout came in 1955’s Mister Roberts, where he played Ensign Pulver, a comically lazy young officer aboard a Navy cargo ship.

That role won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, launching a film career that would blend boyish charm with a uniquely expressive vulnerability.

Versatility in Comedy and Drama

Jack Lemmon’s genius lay in his ability to straddle both comedy and drama with equal skill. He could deliver a hilarious line one moment and break your heart the next, a skill that earned him comparisons to Charlie Chaplin and James Stewart.

Comedic Mastery

Lemmon had a gift for physical comedy, expressive facial reactions, and rapid-fire delivery. Some of his best-known comedies include:

Some Like It Hot (1959) – Directed by Billy Wilder, Lemmon starred alongside Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe in what is widely considered one of the greatest comedies ever made. His performance as Jerry/Daphne, a cross-dressing jazz musician on the run from the mob, earned him an Oscar nomination and immortal status.

The Apartment (1960) – Again teaming with Wilder, Lemmon played C.C. Baxter, a low-level office worker who lends his apartment to company executives for their extramarital affairs. The film won Best Picture, and Lemmon’s performance balanced comedy with pathos, earning him another Oscar nomination.

The Odd Couple (1968) – Paired with Walter Matthau, Lemmon portrayed Felix Ungar, the fussy, neurotic roommate to Matthau’s slovenly Oscar Madison. The dynamic between the two actors became legendary.

Dramatic Excellence

Though best known for his comedic roles, Lemmon's dramatic performances earned him some of his most lasting acclaim.

Days of Wine and Roses (1962) – In this harrowing tale of alcoholism, Lemmon portrayed a public relations man whose life spirals out of control. His performance was unflinching and deeply human.

Save the Tiger (1973) – As a morally compromised businessman, Lemmon won the Academy Award for Best Actor, showing his power in character-driven dramas.

The China Syndrome (1979) – A gripping nuclear thriller, where Lemmon played a whistleblower at a nuclear power plant, earning critical acclaim and another Oscar nomination.

Missing (1982) – A political drama about the disappearance of an American journalist in Chile. Lemmon's restrained, powerful performance as a grieving father earned him the Cannes Best Actor Award and another Oscar nod.

The Lemmon-Matthau Partnership

Perhaps no other screen duo was as beloved as Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. They starred in over 10 films together, their chemistry defined by perfect contrast: Lemmon’s anxious neatness versus Matthau’s laid-back gruffness.

Notable Collaborations:

The Fortune Cookie (1966)

The Odd Couple (1968)

The Front Page (1974)

Buddy Buddy (1981)

Grumpy Old Men (1993)

Grumpier Old Men (1995)

The Odd Couple II (1998)

Their friendship extended beyond the screen. Lemmon once said, “Matthau is my best friend, the brother I never had.” Their final performance together in The Odd Couple II served as a touching epilogue to one of cinema’s great partnerships.

Work as a Director

Lemmon directed only once, with Kotch (1971), which starred Matthau as an aging man trying to avoid being put in a nursing home. The film was well-received and earned Matthau an Oscar nomination, but Lemmon preferred acting and never directed again.

Stage and Television

Lemmon was also a talented stage actor. In the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in high-profile television films and stage productions:

Long Day’s Journey Into Night (TV, 1987)

Twelve Angry Men (TV, 1997)

Tuesdays with Morrie (1999), which earned him an Emmy Award

Awards and Honours

Academy Awards:

Best Supporting Actor – Mister Roberts (1955)

Best Actor – Save the Tiger (1973)

8 Oscar nominations total

Golden Globes:

6 wins, including for Some Like It Hot, Avanti!, and Tuesdays with Morrie

Emmy Awards:

Won for Tuesdays with Morrie (1999)

BAFTA:

Multiple nominations and wins

Cannes Film Festival:

Best Actor for Missing (1982)

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

American Film Institute Life Achievement Award (1988)

Kennedy Centre Honours (1996)

Personal Life

Jack Lemmon was known for his warmth, humility, and professionalism. He was married twice, most notably to actress Felicia Farr, with whom he had a daughter. He also had a son, Chris Lemmon, who followed him into acting.

Despite his fame, Lemmon was regarded as down-to-earth and generous. Billy Wilder famously called him “the smartest, most decent man I ever met in the picture business.”

Death and Legacy

Jack Lemmon passed away on June 27, 2001, at age 76, after a battle with cancer. He was buried near Walter Matthau at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, his tombstone bearing the inscription: “Jack Lemmon in…”, a nod to his many film opening credits.

His legacy lives on in the generations of actors and filmmakers who cite him as an influence. His characters—flawed, funny, deeply human—continue to resonate because they reflect our own insecurities, struggles, and joys.

Conclusion

Jack Lemmon was a singular talent whose blend of comedy and drama, joy and pain, made him one of the most complete actors of the 20th century. He could make audiences laugh and cry—often in the same scene—and did so with unwavering sincerity.

In an industry that often rewards showiness, Lemmon stood out by being authentic. He didn’t just play characters—he lived them, and in doing so, made millions of people feel a little more understood.

Whether as a cross-dressing jazz musician, a lonely office clerk, a desperate salesman, or a grieving father, Jack Lemmon was never just acting—he was connecting. And that, more than any award or accolade, is what makes him timeless.