Walter Matthau
ActingAbout Walter Matthau
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 Front Page (1974) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). Matthau won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the Billy Wilder film The Fortune Cookie (1966). Matthau is also known for his performances in Stanley Donen's romance Charade (1963), Gene Kelly's musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), Elaine May's screwball comedy A New Leaf (1971) and Herbert Ross' ensemble comedy California Suite (1978). He also starred in Plaza Suite, Kotch (both 1971), Charley Varrick (1973), The Sunshine Boys (1975), and Hopscotch (1980). 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 Actor in a Play in 1965, his second after A Shot in the Dark in 1962. Matthau also received two British Academy Film Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 1963, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance in The DuPont Show of the Week. In 1982, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Walter Matthau Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Walter Matthau reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Walter Matthau's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 90% of Walter Matthau's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Awake and Sing!, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Walter Matthau Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Walter Matthau's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Walter Matthau has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
Walter Matthau - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Walter Matthau?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Walter Matthau is "Awake and Sing!" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Walter Matthau acted in?
Walter Matthau has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Walter Matthau?
Other notable films include "Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special", "Revisiting 'Fail-Safe'", and "The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies".