On This Day

Birthday of Jack Lemmon

February 8th 1925

11:33 8 February 2024

American actor Jack Lemmon was born on this day in 1925. Having begun his acting career on radio and Broadway, Lemmon made his film debut with a bit part in 'The Lady Takes a Sailor' (1949). His first role as a leading man was in 'It Should Happen to You' (1954) opposite Judy Holliday. For his role as Ensign Pulver in 'Mister Roberts' (1955) he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, the first of many accolades he would go on to receive. Working with Billy Wilder, he starred in two of Hollywood's greatest ever comedies: 'Some Like it Hot' (1959) with Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe and 'The Apartment' (1960) alongside Shirley MacLaine.

Having excelled in comedic roles, Lemmon showed he could turn his hand to serious drama when he took on the role of an alcoholic businessman in Blake Edwards' 'Days of Wine and Roses' (1962) for which he received a Best Actor Nomination. 'The Fortune Cookie' (1966) and 'The Odd Couple' (1968) were the first of many collaborations with his good friend Walter Matthau. Lemmon directed just one film, the much loved 'Kotch' (1971) starring Matthau, who was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. As struggling businessman Harry Stoner in 'Save the Tiger' (1973) he won the Best Actor Oscar and he received two more nominations for his roles in 'The China Syndrome' (1979) and 'Missing' (1982).

Over the next two decades, Lemmon starred in a broad range of movies that showcased his skills as both a comedic and dramatic actor including 'That's Life!' (1986), 'Dad' (1989), 'JFK' (1991), 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (1992), 'Grumpy Old Men' (1993) and 'The Odd Couple II' (1998).

Jack Lemmon passed away in June 2001, having starred in over sixty films and been the recipient of numerous accolades including two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes. He was quite simply one of American cinemas greatest ever actors.