Actor Walter Matthau Dies at 79
Matthau was pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m., shortly after being brought into St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, said hospital spokeswoman Lindi Funston.
Often cast as a would-be con man foiled by life’s travails, Matthau bellowed complaints against his tormentors and moved his lean, 6-foot-3 frame in surprising ways.
Said his frequent costar, Jack Lemmon: “Walter walks like a child’s windup toy.”
How sad! I love Walter Matthau. He was one of the most natural actors around. I liked that he didn’t seem to take himself seriously.
My Lord. Oscar Madison gone. I think I’ll go rent The Fortune Cookie.
Who had him in the ghoul pool?
He was one of the greats.
I loved him with Elaine May in the movie about discovering and naming a rare plant. She discovers it by accident, although this has been his lifelong goal, so he decides to kill her and get the “glory” of a plant named after himself.
He was one of the great actors. Hollywood’s pool of talent is perceptibly diminished by his absence.
~~Baloo
He was a great one.
A damn shame. He was one of the greats.
– Sylence
Sorry, hon, you need to rent the movie again.
It is called “A New Leaf,” and is one of my favorites. He is a playboy who marries the rich Elaine May, planning to kill her because she is SO HOPELESS. and he needs the money. Somewhere along the line she crawls into his heart and at the end he saves her life.
Excellent movie!
Scotti
I liked him a LOT. I’ve seen a couple of interviews with him and thought he’d make a GREAT grampa.
I suppose this means Jack Lemmon is the “grumpiest” old man??
It definitely means Lemmon’s flying solo for the time being.
I don’t mean to sound flip. I really am saddened over his passing.