Jack Lemmon Biography

Born John Uhler Lemmon III to the president of a doughnut company, Jack Lemmon began his career as an actor in the Dramatic Club in Harvard, as well as graduating with a degree in War Service Sciences.

Forty years of glittering stardom began in 1954, with his movie debut with Judy Holliday in 'It Should Happen To You', and a year later he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Ensign Pulver, in 'Mister Roberts'.

In this movie he held his own against Henry Fonda, James Cagney, and William Powell, impressive so early in a career.

He has also been nominated for Oscars in 'Some Like It Hot', 'The Apartment' and 'Wine and Roses', all between 1959 and 1962.

In 1973 Jack won the best Actor Oscar for 'Save The Tiger'.

In 1979 he was nominated for an Oscar for 'The China Syndrome', in 1980 for 'Tribute' and in 1982 for 'Missing'.

A talented, self-taught musician, he wrote the theme for the movie, 'Tribute', and played jazz in a Bobby Short TV special.

Lemmon admits to a serious drinking problem in the past, and sees his Oscar win for 'Save The Tiger' as an emotionally fulfilling performance, as he portrays a man down on his luck and drowning in his own indulgences.

At the 1998 Golden Globes, Ving Rhames called fellow-nominee Jack up to the stage and practically gave him his recently-won award for Best Actor in a TV Movie, to express his admiration to the veteran actor.

Widely recognised as one half of a duo, Jack appeared with his fellow actor, Walter Matthau, in many movies. They came together most notably in 'The Fortune Cookie', 'Grumpy Old Men' and 'The Odd Couple'. He also directed Matthau in 'Kotch', in 1971.

In 1988 he received the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute.

Jack Lemmon died of cancer at the age of 76.