Jack Lemmon

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A Tribute

Born: 8th February, 1925
Country: US
Died: 27th June, 2001
Occupation: Actor, Director

"I won't quit until I get run over by a truck, a producer or a critic."

Jack Lemmon, who died from cancer aged 76, was an eight times Academy Award™ nominee (winning twice) and an actor beloved of movie fans throughout the world. He had a talent for comedy, and drama, that enabled the audience to indentify with his characters. An "everyman" complete with all the quirks and worries we all have.

Starting out in theatre, radio and on televison (back in the days when the majority of shows were broadcast live), Jack Lemmon found acclaim, and stardom, when he moved to the big screen. His portrayal of Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts earning him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar®. He went on to star in some of the all time classic movies, such as Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot and The Apartment (garnering Best Actor nominations for both).

Though highly gifted as a dramatic actor, his performance in 1973's Save The Tiger winning the Best Actor Oscar®, he will undoubtedly be best remembered for his comedies. Not least of which are the movies he made alongside Walter Matthau. That was one "Odd Couple" that could always guarantee an audience. It seems strangely fitting that news of Lemmon's passing came almost exactly a year after the death of Matthau. One became synonymous with the other, the most wonderful Grumpy Old Men around.

Movie Picks

Lemmon's performance as the scene stealing Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts [1955]

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As Jerry/"Daphne" in Some Like It Hot [1959]. Especially for the final exchange of dialogue - need I say more? :-)

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The Apartment [1960] - featuring the way to "serve" spaghetti.

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The China Syndrome [1979] - as the concientous nuclear plant supervisor searching for the truth, but being torn by what he discovers.

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Over to you. How will you remember Jack Lemmon? Which of Jack Lemmon films are you happy to watch time and again?

[Jack Lemmon Photos]

- Movie Cat

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