Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau was an American actor known for his rumpled appearance, hangdog expression, and sardonic delivery.
He won an Oscar for *The Fortune Cookie* (1966) and became iconic as Oscar Madison in *The Odd Couple*, playing the slovenly counterpart to Jack Lemmon's fussy Felix.
The Matthau-Lemmon pairing defined buddy comedy for a generation.
His name evokes a certain type: the gruff, world-weary curmudgeon with unexpected warmth underneath.
- Neil SimonAmerican comic playwright
- buddy filmGenre featuring paired protagonists
- duoTwo working together
- pairingJoining two together
Billy Wilder · George Burns · Carol Burnett · chemistry · reteaming · ensemble cast · costar · partnership
Academy's golden award
- leading manPrincipal male actor
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
- filmographyListed screen credits
- screen presenceActor's magnetic watchability
casting · rehearsal · dialogue · ensemble · biopic · audition · method acting · screen legend
Humor's rhythmic delivery
- deadpanExpressionless, especially for humor
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
funny man · slapstick · screwball · odd couple · curmudgeon · cantankerous · buddy comedy · sitcom
Ill-tempered, stubborn person
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- slouchDrooping, lazy posture
- hangdogShamefaced and defeated
- gravelly voiceRough, low-pitched tone
world-weary · sardonic · cynical · disheveled · schlubby · everyman · New York accent · craggy
Jack Lemmon
- Neil SimonAmerican comic playwright
- buddy filmGenre featuring paired protagonists
- duoTwo working together
Billy Wilder · George Burns · Carol Burnett · pairing · chemistry · reteaming · ensemble cast · costar · partnership
Oscar
Academy's golden award
- leading manPrincipal male actor
- character actorSpecialist in memorable sidekicks
- filmographyListed screen credits
screen presence · casting · rehearsal · dialogue · ensemble · biopic · audition · method acting · screen legend · stage actor
comedic timing
Humor's rhythmic delivery
- deadpanExpressionless, especially for humor
- wisecrackFlippant clever remark
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
one-liner · funny man · slapstick · screwball · odd couple · curmudgeon · cantankerous · buddy comedy · sitcom · witty
curmudgeon
Ill-tempered, stubborn person
gravelly voice · world-weary · sardonic · cynical · disheveled · schlubby · everyman · New York accent · craggy · scene-stealer
The Odd Couple
Unlikely duo sharing space
- Dennis the Menace
- HopscotchNumbered squares, tossed marker
Walter MatthauCary Grant
Robert Redford · Clark Gable · Rock Hudson · Gregory Peck · George Clooney
Walter MatthauJack Lemmon
David Hyde Pierce · Tony Shalhoub · neat freak · perfectionist