Walter Matthau was born in 1920 in New York, United States. He was the son of Russian and Jewish immigrants. During World War II, he served in the Navy, within the Air Force. He rose to the rank of sergeant and became interested in acting.
Walter was a respected actor in the theater for several years, in plays such as “Will Succes spoil Rock Hunter “and”A shot in the dark”. In 1962, he won an award Tony as best actor.
In 1952, he appeared in the pilot of “Mr Peepers with Wally Cox”, But for unknown reasons he used the name of Leonard elliot. His role was that of a gym teacher named Mr. Wall.
In 1955, he made his film debut, as a typical bad boy, in “The Kentucky Man”, With the actor Burt lancaster.
S
e saw him in several movies in the role of villain as “The neighborhood against me“(1958), and, in that same year, he made the western”Ride a crocked trail” with Audrie murphy. Another film from that year was the notorious “Onionhead” with Andy griffith Y Erin O’Brien.
Walter he also directed a low-budget film at that time, called “The gangster story”, Released in 1960.
In 1962, he was acclaimed for his role as sheriff, in the film “The brave walk alone” with Michael Caine.
The following year, he would be the veteran villain in “Charade” with Cary grant Y Audrey hepburn.
Along with his roles in the cinema, he had several appearances in series and television shows such as “Goodyear television playhouse“,”The alcoa tour“,”Climax”, Kraft television theater“,”Play of the weak“,”Alfred Hitchcock presents“,”Naked city” Y “The eleventh hour”, Among many others carried out in his first decades in the environment.
His success came belatedly, when in 1965, at 44 years old, he was chosen by Neil Simon to interpret “A strange couple” with his friend Jack Lemmon.
While they were both filming “On a silver platter”(1966), the filming had to be interrupted because he suffered a heart attack.
He won the Oscar for best supporting actor for this film, giving a memorable acceptance speech.
In 1968, he made “Candy” with Marlon brando and, the following year, the musical “Hello dolly” next to Barbra Streisand, in addition to “Cactus flower“, with Ingrid bergman Y Goldie hawn.
Later, in 1972, he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Kotch“, movie directed by Jack Lemmon, and in 1975, another nomination for “The crazy couple”, For which he won the Golden globe for best actor in a comedy or musical.
In 1978, he was part of the cast of “California Suite”, Which included Maggie smith, Alan Alda, Jane fonda Y Michael Caine.
In 1980, he co-starred with Julie Andrews, “The rogue and his garment”, And in 1981, he again joined the famous duo with Jack Lemmon, in the film “Here a friend”.
Two years later he was seen in “Suffered Citizens“, next to Robin williams. Other of his films from the ’80s include “This is not hollywood“(1985),”Pirates“(1986) and”The patients of a psychiatrist in distress”(1988) with Dan Aykroyd.
In 1991, he joined the cast of “JFK“, with Tommy lee jones, Kevin Costner, Kevin bacon Y Gary oldman.
In 1993, I play the grumpy Mr wilson on “Naughty daniel”Whose cast included Christopher Lloyd Y Lea Thompson. Also, that year, he saw it again with Jack Lemmon on “Two grumpy old mens “.
In 1994, I played the famous scientist Albert Einstein, in the romantic comedy “A genius of love“, next to Meg ryan Y Tim robbins.
In 1995, he made two films with Jack Lemmon, “The grass harpa “and”Discord on demand”.
Among his latest films are, “Two crazy old men” (nineteen ninety six), “By rumbas already crazy“(1997),”A strange couple again“(1998) and”Hanging“, with Meg ryan, Diane keaton Y Lisa kudrow, this being his last appearance in the cinema before his death.
He became great friends with Jack Lemmon, making a total of ten movies together.
In his personal life, from his young years it was rumored that his real name was Matuschanskayasky, or various derivatives thereof, but this was denied by the authors of his biography, arguing that Walter He was a great fan of making up stories and making jokes, this being one of many.
In his private life, he was married twice. His first wife was Grace Geraldine Jonson, (1948-1958), and from 1959 until his death, Carol marcus.
She had two children, Jenny Y David, with his first wife and adopted his second wife’s two children, named William Y Emily. Also, with Carol had a son named Charlie.
Walter Matthau died of massive cardiac arrest on July 1, 2000 in Santa Monica California. After his heart surgery, doctors discovered that he had colon cancer.
He is buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cementery, in Westwood California, next to his friend Jack Lemmon.