Walter Matthau

Did You Know?

• Walter served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. At the end of his tour, he came home with six battle stars.
• Walter was married to Carol Grace from 1959 until his death. They had one son, Charles.
• He had two children from his first marriage to Grace Johnson, a son David and a daughter, Jenny.
• During the Depression, Walter worked for the government as a forester, a gym instructor for the Works Progress Administration and also taught policemen boxing techniques.
• Walter liked to gamble and at one time counted his losses at about $5 million.
• His son Charles told Larry King that his father's real last name was 'Matthow' and his dad changed the spelling "just to be exotic."
• For the movie Earthquake, Walter made up a last name to run in the credits. "Matuschanskayasky" was a joke from Matthau because he was mad that he'd been tricked into a bigger part than he was told.
• QUOTE: "The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty."

Actor Credits

1. Hanging Up (2000)
2. The Odd Couple II (1998)
3. The Marriage Fool (1998)
4. Out To Sea (1997)
5. I'm Not Rappaport (1996)
6. The Grass Harp (1995)
7. Grumpier Old Men (1995)
8. Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1995)
9. Incident In A Small Town (1994)
10. I.Q. (1994)
11. Dennis The Menace (1993)
12. Grumpy Old Men (1993)
13. Against Her Will: Incident In Baltimore (1992)
14. Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love (1991)
15. JFK (1991)
16. The Stingiest Man In Town (1990)
17. The Incident (1990)
18. The Couch Trip (1988)
19. Pirates (1986)
20. Movers & Shakers (1985)
21. The Survivors (1983)
22. I Ought To Be In Pictures (1982)
23. Buddy Buddy (1981)
24. First Monday In October (1981)
25. Hopscotch (1980)
26. Little Miss Marker (1980)
27. Casey's Shadow (1978)
28. House Calls (1978)
29. California Suite (1978)
30. The Bad News Bears (1976)
31. The Sunshine Boys (1975)
32. The Front Page (1974)
33. Earthquake (1974)
34. The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
35. The Laughing Policeman (1973)
36. Charley Varrick (1973)
37. Pete 'n' Tillie (1972)
38. Plaza Suite (1971)
39. A New Leaf (1971)
40. Kotch (1971)
41. Cactus Flower (1969)
42. Hello, Dolly! (1969)
43. The Odd Couple (1968)
44. Candy (1968)
45. The Secret Life Of An American Wife (1968)
46. A Guide For The Married Man (1967)
47. The Fortune Cookie (1966)
48. Mirage (1965)
49. Ensign Pulver (1964)
50. Fail Safe (1964)
51. Charade (1963)
52. Island Of Love (1963)
53. Lonely Are The Brave (1962)
54. Who's Got The Action? (1962)
55. Strangers When We Meet (1960)
56. Gangster Story (1959)
57. Voice In The Mirror (1958)
58. Onionhead (1958)
59. King Creole (1958)
60. Ride A Crooked Trail (1958)
61. Slaughter On Tenth Avenue (1957)
62. A Face In The Crowd (1957)
63. Bigger Than Life (1956)
64. The Indian Fighter (1955)

Director Credits