- Worked in the show business for more than 40 years, who has unusually high degree of quality films, a daunting range of parts, and (especially in recent years) a bent for the challenging and unpredictable.
- He died on 27/6/2001 9 pm Wednesday at USC/Norris Cancer Center with his wife, actress Felicia Farr, two children and a stepdaughter at his bedside. The cause of death was complications from cancer.
- He was Oscar-nominated for THE CHINA SYNDROME (1979, as a nuclear plant executive who refuses to participate in an accident cover-up), TRIBUTE (1980, recreating his Broadway performance as a dying playwright who wants to reconcile with his son), and MISSING (1982, as an American businessman searching for his activist son in a Latin American country).
- He was an accomplished, self-taught pianist, he wrote the theme for the movie TRIBUTE and played jazz in a Bobby Short TV special.
- He was born in an elevator at 2.00pm EST.
- Admits to having had a serious drinking problem at one time, which is one reason he looks back on his Oscar-winning role as Harry Stoner in SAVE THE TIGER as perhaps the most gratifying, emotionally fulfilling performance of his career.
- Was pleasantly shocked by Golden Globe-winner Ving Rhames in 1998 when Rhames called fellow-nominee Lemmon up to the stage and all but gave him the award for Best Actor in TV Movie Rhames had just won, to express his admiration to the veteran actor.
- He described his flamboyant, authoritarian mother as Tallulah Bank head on a road show. He laughs about how she used to hang out with her girl friends at the Ritz Bar in Boston, and, tried to have her cremation ashes, placed on the bar.
- Since his middle initial was U., Jack had to deal with ribbing from kids who taunted him with: Jack, u lemon.
- In Harvard, he was in Navy ROTC and graduated with a degree in War Service Sciences.
- A cabaret dancer (a man who played women on stage) tried to teach Curtis and Lemmon to walk in heels. After about a week, Lemmon declined his help, saying he didn't want to walk like a woman, but a man trying to walk like a woman.(SOME LIKE IT HOT)
- A preview audience laughed so hard in the scene of SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) where Lemmon announces his engagement that a lot of the dialogue was missed. It had to be re-shot with pauses (and the maraca gimmick) added.
- Married actress Felicia Farr in Paris during this 1962 shoot of IRMA LA DOUCE (1963).
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (2000)
- Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at Emmy Awards for INHERIT THE WIND (1999)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for 12 ANGRY MEN (1998)
- Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at Emmy Awards for 12 ANGRY MEN (1998)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries at Screen Actors Guild Awards for 12 ANGRY MEN (1998)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for A LIFE IN THE THEATER (1994)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for DAD (1990)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for THE MURDER OF MARY PHAGAN (1989)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV at Golden Globe Awards for LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (1988)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for THAT'S LIFE! (1987)
- Nominated for Best Actor at BAFTA Awards for MISSING (1983)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for MISSING (1983)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for TRIBUTE (1981)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for THE CHINA SYNDROME (1980)
- Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special at Emmy Awards for THE ENTERTAINER (1976)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for THE FRONT PAGE (1975)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for SAVE THE TIGER (1974)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for THE ODD COUPLE (1969)
- Nominated for Best Foreign Actor at BAFTA Awards for GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM (1966)
- Nominated for Best Foreign Actor at BAFTA Awards for HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1966)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for THE GREAT RACE (1966)
- Nominated for Best Foreign Actor at BAFTA Awards for DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1964)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for IRMA LA DOUCE (1964)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for UNDER THE YUM YUM TREE (1964)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1963)
- Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1963)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for THE APARTMENT (1961)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for SOME LIKE IT HOT (1960)
- Nominated for Best Foreign Actor at BAFTA Awards for Mister Roberts (1956)
Quotes- "Death ends a life, not a relationship."
- We must love one another or die.
- Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure.
- Nobody deserves this much money - certainly not an actor.
- "I won't quit until I get run over by a truck, a producer or a critic."
- "If you really do want to be an actor who can satisfy himself and his audience, you need to be vulnerable. [You must] reach the emotional and intellectual level of ability where you can go out stark naked, emotionally, in front of an audience."
- "If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball."
- "It's hard enough to write a good drama, it's much harder to write a good comedy, and it's hardest of all to write a drama with comedy. Which is what life is."
- Stay humble. Always answer your phone - no matter who else is in the car.
Awards- Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (2000)
- Golden Apple Awards: Hollywood Legend Award (2000)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, INHERIT THE WIND (2000)
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award (2000)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (2000)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role--Mini-Series or Television Movie, INHERIT THE WIND (1999)
- Hollywood Film Festival: Lifetime Achievement Award (1999)
- Berlin International Film Festival: Honorary Golden Berlin Bear (1996)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Ensemble Cast, SHORT CUTS (1994)
- Film Society of Lincoln Center: Gala Tribute (1993)
- ShoWest Convention: Lifetime Achievement Award (1993)
- Venice Film Festival: Best Ensemble Cast, SHORT CUTS (1993)
- National Board of Review: Best Actor, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992)
- Valladolid International Film Festival: Best Actor, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992)
- Venice Film Festival: Best Actor, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992)
- American Comedy Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy (1991)
- Golden Globe Awards: Cecil B. DeMille Award (1991)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Life Achievement Award (1990)
- SAG Awards: Past Life Achievement Award (1989)
- American Film Institute: Life Achievement Award (1988)
- National Board of Review: Career Achievement Award (1986)
- Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor, MISSING (1982)
- Berlin International Film Festival: Silver Berlin Bear - Best Actor, TRIBUTE (1981).
- Genie Awards: Best Performance by a Foreign Actor, TRIBUTE (1981)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Actor, THE CHINA SYNDROME (1980)
- British Academy Award: Best Actor Leading, THE CHINA SYNDROME (1980)
- David di Donatello Awards: Best Foreign Actor, THE CHINA SYNDROME (1980)
- Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor, THE CHINA SYNDROME (1979)
- Academy Awards: Best Actor, SAVE THE TIGER (1974)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy, AVANTI! (1973)
- Hasty Pudding Theatricals: Man of the Year (1973)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role-Musical or Comedy, AVANTI! (1972)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy, THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (1971)
- Laurel Awards: Male Comedy Performance, THE APRIL FOOLS (1970)
- Laurel Awards: Male Star (1967)
- Laurel Awards: Comedy Performance - Male, HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1965)
- Laurel Awards: Male Star (1965)
- Fotogramas de Plata: Best Foreign Movie Perfomer (1964)
- Laurel Awards: Top Male Comedy Performance, IRMA LA DOUCE (1964)
- Laurel Awards: Top Male Dramatic Performance, DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1963)
- San Sebastián International Film Festival: Best Actor, DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1963)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Foreign Actor, THE APARTMENT (1961)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy, THE APARTMENT (1961)
- Laurel Awards: Top Male Dramatic Performance, Top Male Comedy Performance, THE APARTMENT (1961)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Foreign Actor, SOME LIKE IT HOT (1960)
- Golden Apple Awards: Most Cooperative Actor (1960)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role-Musical or Comedy, THE APARTMENT (1960)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy, SOME LIKE IT HOT (1960)
- Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, MISTER ROBERTS (1956)
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