What was Walter Matthau’s Net Worth?
Walter Matthau, the American actor known for his roles in films such as “The Bad News Bears” and “Grumpy Old Men,” had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2000. He also originated the role of Oscar Madison in Neil Simon’s Broadway play “The Odd Couple.”
Matthau won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Fortune Cookie” and was nominated for numerous other awards throughout his career. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1982.
Matthau passed away from a heart attack at the age of 79.
Early Life of Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau was born on October 1, 1920 in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents. His father, originally from Ukraine, was an electrician while his mother, from Lithuania, was a garment sweatshop worker. Matthau attended Seward Park High School and acted in productions at a Jewish sleepaway camp called Tranquility during his youth.
Walter Matthau’s Military Service
During World War II, Matthau served with the US Army Air Forces as a radioman-gunner with the Eighth Air Force. He flew missions across Europe while stationed at RAF Old Buckenham in Norfolk, England. Matthau ended his service with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Walter Matthau’s Film Career
Matthau began his feature film career in 1955 with “The Kentuckian” and “The Indian Fighter.” He went on to star in “Bigger Than Life,” “A Face in the Crowd,” and “King Creole.” In 1959, Matthau starred in and directed “Gangster Story,” followed by “Strangers When We Meet,” “Lonely Are the Brave,” and “Who’s Got the Action?”
Matthau had a memorable role in the 1963 film “Charade” and starred in “Ensign Pulver,” “Goodbye Charlie,” and “Fail Safe” in 1964. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Fortune Cookie” in 1966 and went on to star in “A Guide for the Married Man.” Matthau reunited with Jack Lemmon for “The Odd Couple” in 1968, followed by roles in “The Secret Life of an American Wife,” “Candy,” “Cactus Flower,” and “Hello, Dolly!” to close out the 60s.
Walter Matthau’s Career Highlights
Matthau starred in several films in the early 1970s, including “A New Leaf,” “Plaza Suite,” and “Kotch,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He continued to act in successful movies such as “The Front Page,” “The Sunshine Boys,” and “The Bad News Bears” throughout the decade. In the 1980s, he received Golden Globe nominations for “Hopscotch” and “First Monday in October” and starred in films such as “Little Miss Marker,” “Buddy Buddy,” and “The Survivors.” Matthau’s later film credits included “JFK,” “Dennis the Menace,” and “Grumpy Old Men,” in which he starred alongside Jack Lemmon. He also appeared in several sequels with Lemmon, including “Grumpier Old Men,” “Out to Sea,” and “The Odd Couple II.” Matthau’s final film role was in Diane Keaton’s “Hanging Up” in 2000.
Matthau’s Television Career
Matthau made several appearances on various television shows in the 1950s, including “Lux Video Theatre,” “Danger,” and “The Philco Television Playhouse.” He also appeared on “Robert Montgomery Presents” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” In the 1960s, he had a starring role on the short-lived series “Tallahassee 7000” and appeared multiple times on “The DuPont Show of the Week.” From the 1970s on, Matthau mostly appeared in television films, including “The Incident,” “Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore,” and “Incident in a Small Town,” in which he played Harmon J. Cobb. His final television appearance was in “The Marriage Fool” in 1998.
Matthau’s Tony Award-Winning Stage Career
Walter Matthau was known not only for his work in film and television but also for his stage career. He originated the role of Oscar Madison in Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” on Broadway in 1965, earning him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Earlier in the decade, he won his first Tony for his role in “A Shot in the Dark.” His other stage credits include “Twilight Walk,” “Season in the Sun,” “One Bright Day,” “The Burning Glass,” “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “Once There Was a Russian.”
Marriages and Family
Matthau was married twice. His first wife was Grace Johnson, and they had a son named David and a daughter named Jenny. They were married from 1948 to 1958. In 1959, Matthau married actress Carol Marcus, with whom he had a son named Charlie. They remained married until Matthau’s death.
Health Issues and Death
Matthau was a heavy smoker and suffered at least three heart attacks during his life. He underwent bypass surgery in 1976 and was successfully treated for colon cancer. In his final years, Matthau had atherosclerotic heart disease. He passed away from a heart attack in July of 2000 at the age of 79.
