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Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau — an American stage and cinematic comedian for nearly 40 years — was born the son of poor Jewish-Russian immigrants in New York City's Lower East Side. Matthau (nee Matasschanskayasky) excelled in roles requiring a crabby, irascible personality.

By age 11, he was acting part-time in Yiddish theater. After serving in WWII, he studied acting at the New School for Social Research Dramatic Workshop. His first major Broadway success was A Shot in the Dark in 1962, bringing him that year's Tony Award. Three years later he starred in original Broadway production of The Odd Couple, as Oscar Madison. Matthau began working on-screen in The Fortune Cookie, the first of ten movies that he made with good friend Jack Lemmon. Matthau won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

His credits include more than 70 movies and a number of television appearances. On July 1, 2000, Matthau died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, CA.

Last updated: March 24, 2009.