Walter Matthau

The Grumpy Charmer of American Cinema

Introduction

Walter Matthau was a one-of-a-kind actor who brought a distinctive combination of sardonic wit, hangdog charm, and impeccable comedic timing to both stage and screen. From his Tony-winning performance on Broadway to his Oscar-winning role in film, Matthau carved out a remarkable career that spanned nearly five decades.

Best known for his long-running partnership with fellow actor Jack Lemmon, Matthau had an uncanny ability to evoke both laughter and empathy. Whether playing curmudgeonly neighbours, crafty con artists, or reluctant heroes, he imbued every character with a rough-edged humanity that endeared him to audiences across generations.

Early Life and Education

Walter John Matthow (later stylized as "Matthau") was born on October 1, 1920, in New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. His father was a peddler and electrician, and his mother worked in a sweatshop.

Growing up during the Great Depression in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Matthau developed an early appreciation for language and performance, eventually attending Seward Park High School and later studying acting at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

During World War II, Matthau served as a radioman-gunner in the United States Army Air Forces, flying bombing missions over Europe. His wartime experience would later contribute to the world-weariness he so often brought to his characters.

Stage Career and Broadway Success

Matthau began his acting career on stage, where his gravelly voice and expressive face quickly set him apart. He performed in a wide range of roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s and became a Broadway regular.

Tony Award Win

In 1965, Matthau won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, where he originated the role of Oscar Madison, the slovenly sportswriter. His dynamic performance opposite Art Carney’s neat-freak Felix Ungar established his reputation as a master of character comedy.

Film Career and Major Roles

Early Film Appearances

Matthau made his screen debut in the 1955 drama The Kentuckian. Initially cast in dramatic roles, he appeared in:

A Face in the Crowd (1957), directed by Elia Kazan

King Creole (1958), opposite Elvis Presley

Charade (1963), as a menacing villain alongside Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn

His breakthrough came when his comedic talents were fully realized on screen.

Oscar Win: The Fortune Cookie (1966)

Directed by Billy Wilder, The Fortune Cookie was the first film to pair Matthau with Jack Lemmon, beginning one of the most celebrated acting duos in film history. Matthau played Whiplash Willie, a crooked lawyer trying to exploit Lemmon’s character's injuries for an insurance scam.

The role won Matthau the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and showcased his unmatched ability to play morally shady characters with charm and humour.

The Matthau-Lemmon Partnership

Matthau and Lemmon starred together in more than 10 films over three decades. Their chemistry—built on contrast, timing, and mutual respect—became the heart of some of the best comedies of their era.

Key Collaborations:

The Odd Couple (1968) – Matthau as Oscar, Lemmon as Felix

The Front Page (1974)

Buddy Buddy (1981)

Grumpy Old Men (1993) and Grumpier Old Men (1995)

Out to Sea (1997)

The Odd Couple II (1998)

Their work was more than comedic banter—it was about character dynamics, generational anxieties, and the enduring power of friendship.

Other Notable Films

Matthau proved himself just as effective in drama as in comedy. Highlights of his wide-ranging filmography include:

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) – a gritty thriller set on the New York subway

Hello, Dolly! (1969) – musical performance as Horace Vandergelder

The Bad News Bears (1976) – a cranky Little League coach with a heart of gold

House Calls (1978) and Hopscotch (1980) – charming late-career vehicles

JFK (1991) – as New Orleans lawyer Senator Russell Long

Dennis the Menace (1993) – as the cantankerous Mr. Wilson

His ability to play both high comedy and low drama—often within the same role—set him apart from his contemporaries.

Directorial Efforts

Matthau directed only once, with Gangster Story (1959), a modest crime drama. He expressed little interest in returning to directing, preferring to focus on acting.

Personal Life

Matthau was known for his intellect, love of literature, and fondness for gambling. Despite his curmudgeonly on-screen persona, he was deeply admired by friends and collaborators for his kindness, generosity, and humour.

He was married twice:

First to Grace Geraldine Johnson (divorced)

Then to actress Carol Grace, with whom he remained until his death

He had three children, including Charles Matthau, a director and actor.

Health Issues and Death

Throughout his life, Matthau battled numerous health issues, including heart problems and multiple surgeries. Despite these challenges, he continued working well into his 70s.

Walter Matthau died on July 1, 2000, at age 79, from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California. His longtime friend and co-star Jack Lemmon passed away less than a year later, in June 2001.

They were buried side by side at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Legacy

Walter Matthau remains an enduring figure in American cinema and comedy. His distinctive look—slouching posture, drooping eyes, and sly smile—became iconic. But more than his appearance, it was his emotional honesty and comic precision that left a lasting impression.

He elevated every script he touched, capable of turning a sarcastic line into a moment of truth or melancholy into laughter. His partnership with Lemmon became a cultural touchstone, but Matthau was a formidable talent in his own right—an actor of subtlety, timing, and intelligence.

Awards and Honours

Academy Award – Best Supporting Actor for The Fortune Cookie (1966)

Tony Award – Best Featured Actor in a Play for A Shot in the Dark (1962)

BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominations

Honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2006, the Walter Matthau Theatre was inaugurated in Los Angeles in his memory.

Conclusion

Walter Matthau was a master of contradiction: scruffy but elegant, cynical but sincere, comedic but deeply humane. He brought life to the flawed, the flustered, and the forgotten—characters who, under his care, became memorable and relatable.

His legacy is not just in the laughs he delivered, but in the human stories he told. Through every grumble and growl, Matthau showed us the beating heart beneath the grump, and for that, he remains a cherished figure in film history.