EPISODE · Jan 18, 2026 · 20 MIN
THE LEGACY OF QUEENS EPISODE 160: WALTER MATTHAU(actor)
from THE QUEENS NEW YORKER · host Jason DeCanio
Walter John Matthau (né Matthow; /ˈmæθaʊ/ MATH-ow;[1] October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, known for his "hangdog face" and for playing world-weary characters.[2] 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".[3] Among other accolades, Matthau won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, 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).Matthau is also known for his performances in Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd (1957), the Elvis Presley vehicle King Creole (1958), Stanley Donen's romance Charade (1963), Fail Safe (1964), Gene Kelly's musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), Elaine May's screwball comedy A New Leaf (1971) and Herbert Ross's ensemble comedy California Suite (1978). He also starred in Plaza Suite (1971), Charley Varrick (1973), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), The Sunshine Boys (1975), House Calls (1978), Hopscotch (1980) and Dennis the Menace (1993).In 1982, Matthau received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.PICTURE: By John Seymour Erwin - ebay, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28320216
What this episode covers
Walter John Matthau (né Matthow; /ˈmæθaʊ/ MATH-ow;[1] October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, known for his "hangdog face" and for playing world-weary characters.[2] 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".[3] Among other accolades, Matthau won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, 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).Matthau is also known for his performances in Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd (1957), the Elvis Presley vehicle King Creole (1958), Stanley Donen's romance Charade (1963), Fail Safe (1964), Gene Kelly's musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), Elaine May's screwball comedy A New Leaf (1971) and Herbert Ross's ensemble comedy California Suite (1978). He also starred in Plaza Suite (1971), Charley Varrick (1973), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), The Sunshine Boys (1975), House Calls (1978), Hopscotch (1980) and Dennis the Menace (1993).In 1982, Matthau received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.PICTURE: By John Seymour Erwin - ebay, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28320216
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THE LEGACY OF QUEENS EPISODE 160: WALTER MATTHAU(actor)
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