Walter Matthau was best known for starting in many films which included Charade , alongside Mason Gamble. On July 1, 2000, Matthau died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California. He was 79 years old.
Big break came when understudying the actor who played the Archbishop in "Anne Of The Thousand Days," starring Rex Harrison.
Brought to the St. Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California by ambulance from his home on the late evening of June 30, 2000 after suffering a heart attack and was pronounced dead shortly afterward at 1:42 a.m. on July 1.
Buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. Marilyn Monroe , Truman Capote , Natalie Wood , Donna Reed , among other stars are buried at this cemetery.
People were never sure if he was joking or saying things seriously, either on-screen or off-screen.
He hated to be identified as a comedic actor.
He once claimed that his father was an Orthodox priest in Czarist Russia, who was removed after he claimed that the Pope was infallible.
Once claimed that his wifes name was Carol Wellington-Smythe Marcus, just to give it a more "aristocratic" sound.
When he inscribed himself formally to the U.S. Social Security in 1937, he included "Foghorn" as his middle name. He never changed it.
Studied in the dramatic workshop at New Yorks New School with Gene Saks , Rod Steiger , Harry Guardino and Tony Curtis.
Served in the US Army Air Force, 8th Air Force, 453rd Bombardment Group in England with James Stewart.
He once estimated his lifetime gambling losses at $5 million.
While making a TV series in Florida before his movie stardom, he lost $183,000 betting on spring-training baseball games.
After filming Grumpy Old Men in 1993 in freezing weather in Minnesota, he was hospitalized for double pneumonia.
Uncle of Juliette Gruber.
Reports are that he made up "Matuschanskayasky" as a joke and that his real "real" name is Matthow. The existence of Michelle Matthow would seem to confirm this...
According to son Charles Matthau , Walters real name was Walter Matthow, but he changed it to Walter Matuschanskayasky to sound more exotic.
Was passionate about classical music and often sang pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on the set.
Father, with Grace Geraldine Johnson, of son David Matthau and daughter Jenny Matthau. Father, with Carol Grace , of son Charles Matthau.
Stepfather of Lucy Saroyan and Aram Saroyan.
Very tall as young man (6 3"), Matthau had a very slouchy posture by the time he was an actor. This was in part due to back injuries sustained in combat during World War II. But, he probably exaggerated it because the slouch fitted his miserly characters.
Dan Castellaneta has said that his original voice for Homer Simpson was simply an impression of Matthau.
Won two Tony Awards: in 1962, as Best Supporting or Featured Actor for "A Shot in the Dark," and in 1965 as Best Actor for "The Odd Couple," recreating his part as Oscar Madison in the film version of the same name, The Odd Couple . Previously, he also had a Tony nomination in 1959 as Best Supporting or Featured Actor for "Once More, with Feeling."
Dealt with a gambling addiction his entire adult life.
He and Jack Lemmon acted together in nine movies: Buddy Buddy , The Fortune Cookie , The Front Page , The Grass Harp , Grumpier Old Men , Grumpy Old Men , The Odd Couple II , The Odd Couple and Out to Sea . Lemmon also directed Matthau in Kotch . Lemmon and Matthau also both appeared in JFK , but had no scenes together.
Screen-tested for the part of Richard Sherman in The Seven Year Itch . After seeing his test, director Billy Wilder believed he had found his leading man. Unfortunately, executives at 20th Century-Fox were unwilling to take a risk on an unknown newcomer. Because of this, the role went to Tom Ewell , who had originated the role on Broadway.
Appeared in Ensign Pulver , the sequel to Mister Roberts , for which his friend Jack Lemmon won an Oscar.
During the filming of Hello, Dolly! , he clashed with Barbra Streisand and disliked her so intensely that he refused to be around her except when required to do so by the script. He is famously quoted as telling Streisand that she "had no more talent than a butterflys fart." Interestingly, he is clearly seen in the audience at the One Voice concert at her Malibu ranch, where invitation-only guests had the privilege of paying $5,000 per couple to help establish the Streisand Foundation, which supports numerous charitable organizations. Apparently, he did not hold grudges.
Had one sibling, an older brother named Henry Matthow (born July 14, 1918; died May 21, 1995, in Long Beach, NY. His mother, Rose Matthow, was born December 15, 1894, and died in Pacific Palisades, CA, in January 1979.
Played Albert Einstein in the film I.Q. even though he was a half-foot taller than the famous scientist.
When he accepted his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fortune Cookie , he showed up on stage with a cast in one of his arms, to which presenter Shelley Winters said: "You had a tough time getting in here". During his speech, Matthau mentioned that he fell from his bicycle a few days earlier.
Told the editors of AFIs "Private Screenings" that John Ford s The Informer (1935) is his favorite film.
Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents,with his personality. The Odd Couple (1968) was mine. That was,the plutonium I needed. It all started happening after that.
I always had one ear offstage, listening for the call from the bookie.
The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty.
To be successful in show business, all you need are 50 good breaks.
