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Walter Matthau

American actor, comedian and director (1920–2000)

AI overview

Walter Matthau was an American actor and comedian who had a long career in film and television from the mid-20th century until his death in 2000. He is remembered as a talented performer known for his distinctive comedic style and dramatic roles across numerous popular movies and shows.

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Person · Open Library

Born: 1920-10-01
Died: 2000-07-01
Works: 2

Top works

Once there was a Russian
The bad news Bears

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting · New York City, New York, USA

Walter Matthau (born Walter John Matthow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, comedian and film director. He is best known for his film roles in A Face in the Crowd (1957), King Creole (1958) and as a coach of a hapless little league team in the baseball comedy The Bad News Bears (1976). He also starred in 10 films alongside Jack Lemmon, including The Odd Couple (1968), The…

Known for

Elvis: A Life in Music — Self (archive footage)2026
'Fail-Safe' and the Cold War — Self (archive footage)2020
Last of the Independents: Don Siegel and the Making of 'Charley Varrick' — Self (archive footage)2015
Hanging Up — Lou Mozell2000
Revisiting 'Fail-Safe' — Self (archive footage)2000
The Odd Couple II — Oscar Madison1998

Article

Walter John Matthau (né Matthow; /ˈmæθaʊ/ MATH-ow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, known for his "hangdog face" and for playing world-weary characters. He starred in 10 films alongside his real-life friend Jack Lemmon, including The Odd Couple (1968) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). The New York Times called this "one of Hollywood's most successful pairings". Among other accolades, Matthau won an Academy Award, one BAFTA Award, and two Tony Awards.

On Broadway, Matthau originated the role of Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple by playwright Neil Simon, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play in 1965, his second after A Shot in the Dark in 1962. Matthau won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the Billy Wilder film The Fortune Cookie (1966), with further Best Actor nominations for Kotch (1971) and The Sunshine Boys (1975). He gained further recognition for his portrayal of the coach of a hapless little league team in the baseball comedy The Bad News Bears (1976).