Walter Matthau

Best known as an Actor based on credits in that role in 39 films, with $1,034,485,922 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #3,706)
Best-known acting roles: Max Goldman (Grumpier Old Men), Max (Grumpy Old Men), Sen. Russell Long (JFK), Mr. Wilson (Dennis the Menace), Lou Mozell (Hanging Up)
Born: October 1, 1920
Died: July 1, 2000
                                    

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Acting Credits
  4. Technical Credits

Career Summary


  MoviesDomestic
Box Office		International
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office
As an ActorLeading10$181,756,123$353$181,756,476
Supporting5$119,917,995$150,825,707$270,743,702
Lead Ensemble Member1$42,913,571$0$42,913,571
(Unclassified)23$473,072,059$66,000,114$539,072,173

Career Trend

This graph shows Walter Matthau’s score on our annual analysis of leading stars at the box office. The Star Score represents points assigned to each of the leading stars of the top 100 movies (based on box office) in the current year and two preceding years. For appearing in the number one movie in a year a star gets 100 points, the number two movie 99 points and so on..

Latest Ranking on Selected Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 924 $224,669,694
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,559 $817,659,748
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 8,801-8,900) 8,850 $353
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 11,401-11,500) 11,407 $216,826,174
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,560 $224,670,047
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 3,701-3,800) 3,706 $1,034,485,922

See the Acting Credits tab for all Acting Box Office Records and the Technical Credits tab for all Technical Box Office Records.


Featured TV on DVD Review: The Odd Couple: The Complete Collection

June 10th, 2015

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple is a TV show based on the award-winning movie of the same name that was based on the award-winning play of the same. The movie starred Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, who are inarguably one of the top ten comedy duos of all time. That sets a really high bar, one that is nearly impossible to match. Does it get there? And is The Complete Series worth picking up? More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: Hello, Dolly!

April 18th, 2013

Hello, Dolly! was one of the biggest films that came out in 1969, both in terms of box office numbers and Oscar glory. Unfortunately, it was also one of the biggest films in terms of production budget, so it was not a financial success at the time. In fact, it helped kill the major movie musical and nearly killed the studio. Did it fail to live up to expectations because of when it was released? (Not only was the Broadway show still a major hit, movie musicals were waning in popularity.) Or would it have struggled no matter what? Does it work today? More...

All Acting Credits



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Release
Date		TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office		International
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office
May 9, 2017The Indian Fighter
Feb 18, 2000Hanging Up Lou Mozell $36,037,909$15,829,814$51,867,723
Apr 10, 1998The Odd Couple II Oscar Madison $18,912,328$18,912,328
Jul 2, 1997Out to Sea Charlie Gordon $28,985,323$28,985,323
Dec 25, 1996I'm Not Rappaport Nat Moyer $222,525$222,525
Oct 11, 1996The Grass Harp Judge Charlie Cool $493,007$493,007
Dec 22, 1995Grumpier Old Men Max Goldman $71,518,503$71,518,503
Dec 25, 1994I.Q. Albert Einstein $26,265,119$26,265,119
Dec 25, 1993Grumpy Old Men Max $70,172,621$70,172,621
Jun 25, 1993Dennis the Menace Mr. Wilson $51,270,765$66,000,000$117,270,765
Dec 20, 1991JFK Sen. Russell Long $70,405,498$134,994,502$205,400,000
Jan 15, 1988The Couch Trip Donald Becker $11,005,304$11,005,304
May 3, 1985Movers and Shakers Joe Mulholland $311,321$311,321
Jun 22, 1983The Survivors Sonny Paluso $14,000,000$14,000,000
Mar 26, 1982I Ought to be in Pictures Herbert Tucker $6,968,359$6,968,359
Dec 11, 1981Buddy Buddy Trabucco $5,299,037$5,299,037
Aug 21, 1981First Monday in October Justice Dan Snow $12,000,000$12,000,000
Mar 21, 1980Little Miss Marker Sorrowful Jones $6,321,392$6,321,392
1980Hopscotch Miles Kendig $13,000,000$13,000,000
Dec 15, 1978California Suite Marvin Michaels $42,913,571$42,913,571
1978Casey's Shadow Lloyd Bourdelle $8,000,000$8,000,000
1978House Calls Dr. Charley Nichols $29,000,000$29,000,000
Apr 7, 1976The Bad News Bears Coach Morris Butt… $42,349,782$42,349,782
Dec 17, 1974The Front Page Walter Burns/Otto… $15,000,000$15,000,000
Nov 15, 1974Earthquake Drunk $79,700,000$79,700,000
Oct 2, 1974The Taking of Pelham O… Lt. Zachary Garber $353$353
Dec 15, 1972Pete 'n' Tillie Pete Seltzer $14,999,969$14,999,969
Sep 17, 1971Kotch
Dec 16, 1969Cactus Flower Dr. Julian Winston $25,889,208$25,889,208
Dec 16, 1969Hello, Dolly Horace Vandergelder $33,208,099$114$33,208,213
Dec 17, 1968Candy General R.A. Smight $16,408,286$16,408,286
May 2, 1968The Odd Couple Oscar Madison $44,527,234$44,527,234
Oct 19, 1966The Fortune Cookie Willie Gingrich $6,000,000$6,000,000
May 26, 1965Mirage Ted Caselle $3,000,000$3,000,000
Oct 7, 1964Fail Safe Groeteschele
Dec 5, 1963Charade Hamilton Bartholomew $13,474,588$341$13,474,929
May 25, 1962Lonely Are the Brave Sheriff Morey Joh…
Jul 2, 1958King Creole Maxie Fields $1,050$1,050
Jul 22, 1955The Kentuckian
 
Averages $25,551,867$30,975,168$30,426,057
Totals 39 $817,659,748$216,826,174$1,034,485,922


Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles


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Release
Date		TitleOpening
Weekend		Maximum
Theaters		Domestic
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office		Domestic
Share
May 9, 2017The Indian Fighter
Apr 10, 1998The Odd Couple II $4,810,2881,852$18,912,328$18,912,328100.0%
Dec 25, 1993Grumpy Old Men $7,488,5271,725$70,172,621$70,172,621100.0%
Mar 21, 1980Little Miss Marker $853,173472$6,321,392$6,321,392100.0%
Dec 15, 1978California Suite $42,913,571$42,913,571100.0%
1978House Calls $29,000,000$29,000,000100.0%
Apr 7, 1976The Bad News Bears $2,413,779443$42,349,782$42,349,782100.0%
Dec 17, 1974The Front Page $15,000,000$15,000,000100.0%
Oct 2, 1974The Taking of Pelham O… $353
Sep 17, 1971Kotch
Oct 7, 1964Fail Safe
 
Averages $3,891,4421,123$32,095,671$28,083,756100.0%
Totals 11 $224,669,694$224,670,047


Supporting Roles


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Release
Date		TitleOpening
Weekend		Maximum
Theaters		Domestic
Box Office		Worldwide
Box Office		Domestic
Share
Feb 18, 2000Hanging Up $15,710,4112,620$36,037,909$51,867,72369.5%
Dec 20, 1991JFK $5,223,6581,395$70,405,498$205,400,00034.3%
Dec 5, 1963Charade $13,474,588$13,474,929100.0%
May 25, 1962Lonely Are the Brave
Jul 2, 1958King Creole $1,050
 
Averages $10,467,0352,008$39,972,665$67,685,92667.9%
Totals 5 $119,917,995$270,743,702

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 924 $224,669,694
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 14,901-15,000) 14,911 $119,917,995
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,260 $817,659,748
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,771 $274,182,191
Top Below the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 21,901-22,000) 21,968 $70,405,498
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,559 $817,659,748
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 8,801-8,900) 8,850 $353
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 14,501-14,600) 14,510 $150,825,707
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 10,101-10,200) 10,105 $216,826,174
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 6,901-7,000) 6,928 $15,831,558
Top Below the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 14,001-14,100) 14,034 $134,994,502
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 11,401-11,500) 11,407 $216,826,174
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,560 $224,670,047
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 14,501-14,600) 14,565 $270,743,702
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 3,101-3,200) 3,106 $1,034,485,922
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 2,901-3,000) 2,969 $290,013,749
Top Below the Line Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 16,901-17,000) 16,957 $205,400,000
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 3,701-3,800) 3,706 $1,034,485,922
Highest Grossing Stars of 1980 at the Domestic Box Office 17 173
Highest Grossing Stars of 1993 at the Domestic Box Office 93 86
Highest Grossing Stars of 1994 at the Domestic Box Office 92 86
Highest Grossing Stars of 1995 at the Domestic Box Office 86 86
Highest Grossing Stars of 1998 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 306 11
Highest Grossing Stars of 1999 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 331 11
Highest Grossing Stars of 2000 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 356 11
Highest Grossing Stars of 2000 at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 301-400) 361 1
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 501-600) 502 $203,348,302
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,301-1,400) 1,386 $6,321,392
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Play Movies (Rank 101-200) 149 $15,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,901-2,000) 1,972 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 960 $203,348,302
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,618 $6,321,745
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Play Movies (Rank 101-200) 182 $15,000,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 601-700) 660 $224,669,694
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 8,101-8,200) 8,192 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,162 $224,670,047
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 409 $218,348,302
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 1,000 $6,321,392
Top International Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 6,001-6,100) 6,068 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 701-800) 728 $218,348,655
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 1,301-1,400) 1,324 $6,321,392
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 220 $180,669,694
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Romantic Comedy Movies (Rank 201-300) 218 $44,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 1,501-1,600) 1,574 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Comedy Movies (Rank 301-400) 363 $180,669,694
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Thriller/Suspense Movies (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,020 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Romantic Comedy Movies (Rank 301-400) 305 $44,000,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG-13 Movies (Rank 801-900) 858 $89,084,949
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 501-600) 521 $129,263,353
Top International Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,366 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG-13 Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,175 $89,084,949
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 4,501-4,600) 4,517 $353
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG Movies (Rank 701-800) 785 $129,263,353
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 501-600) 534 $70,172,621
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 501-600) 511 $50,321,392
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 424 $61,262,110
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 601-700) 688 $70,172,621
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Universal Movies (Rank 601-700) 649 $50,321,392
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 501-600) 537 $61,262,110

All Technical Credits