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Jack Lemmon Biography

Birth Name:John Uhler Lemmon

Birth Place:Newton, Massachusetts, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Former president of the Hasty Pudding Club while attending Harvard University
  • Sponsored and participated in the Jack Lemmon-Walter Matthau Golf Classic charity fundraiser to benefit local hospitals
  • After being discharged from the Navy, he started acting professionally on the radio, television and Broadway
  • Quote: "If you think it's difficult to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball․"
  • Often portrays characters who are dealing with personal struggles that they must overcome
  • Known for playing in many films alongside Walter Matthau
  • Self-taught pianist, along with ability to play the harmonica, organ and double bass
  • Usually portrayed working-class individuals in movies, despite his actual private-school background
  • Was born inside an elevator at the hospital his parents were in
  • Was originally offered the companion role of Paul Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," but turned it down

Awards

  • 1956Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1956BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1958Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: nominated
  • 1960Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1960BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
  • 1960Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1960Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: nominated
  • 1961Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1961BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
  • 1961Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1961Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: winner
  • 1963Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1963Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 1963Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: winner
  • 1963Prize San Sebastián-Best Actor: winner
  • 1964BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1964Fotogramas de Plata-Best Foreign Performer (Mejor intérprete de cine extranjero): winner
  • 1964Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1964Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1964Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: winner
  • 1964Sant Jordi-Best Performance in a Foreign Film (Mejor Interpretación en Película Extranjera): winner
  • 1965Golden Laurel-Comedy Performance, Male: winner
  • 1966BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1966BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
  • 1966Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1966Golden Laurel-Comedy Performance, Male: nominated
  • 1968Golden Laurel-Male Comedy Performance: nominated
  • 1969Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1970Golden Laurel-Male Comedy Performance: winner
  • 1971Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1973Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1974Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1974Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1975David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
  • 1975Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 1979Best Actor-: winner
  • 1980Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1980BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1980David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
  • 1980Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1980NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1981Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1981Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actor: winner
  • 1981Genie-Best Performance by a Foreign Actor: winner
  • 1981Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1982Best Actor-: winner
  • 1983Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1983BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1983David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): nominated
  • 1983Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1983Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: nominated
  • 1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1992ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1992NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1992Best Actor-: winner
  • 1992Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
  • 1992Golden Ciak-Best Actor: winner
  • 1993CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1993Special Volpi Cup-: winner
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1994Special Award-: winner
  • 1995CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1996American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): nominated
  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2013Felix-Best Supporting Actor: winner