How old was Walter Matthau in…

Walter Matthau

Bio: Walter Matthau (born Walter John Matthow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, comedian and film director. He is best known for his film roles in A Face in the Crowd (1957), King Creole (1958) and as a coach of a hapless little league team in the baseball comedy The Bad News Bears (1976)

Born: Fri, Oct 01 1920

Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA

Death: Sat, Jul 01 2000

Walter Matthau is 79 years old

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Acting Roles

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Movies (Acting Roles)

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'Fail-Safe' and the Cold War

Walter Matthau would have been no older than 79 in 'Fail-Safe' and the Cold War as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Jan 28 2020

Last of the Independents: Don Siegel and the Making of 'Charley Varrick'

Walter Matthau would have been no older than 79 in Last of the Independents: Don Siegel and the Making of 'Charley Varrick' as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Mar 19 2015

And the Oscar Goes To...

Walter Matthau would have been no older than 79 in And the Oscar Goes To... as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 01 2014

The Kid Stays in the Picture

Walter Matthau would have been no older than 79 in The Kid Stays in the Picture as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 16 2002

Revisiting 'Fail-Safe'

Walter Matthau would have been no older than 79 in Revisiting 'Fail-Safe' as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Oct 31 2000

Hanging Up

Walter Matthau was 79 in Hanging Up as 'Lou Mozell'.

Movie Released: Wed, Feb 16 2000

The Marriage Fool

Walter Matthau was 77 in The Marriage Fool as 'Frank Walsh'.

Movie Released: Sun, Sep 20 1998

Private Screenings: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau was 77 in Private Screenings: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Aug 12 1998

The Odd Couple II

Walter Matthau was 77 in The Odd Couple II as 'Oscar Madison'.

Movie Released: Thu, Apr 09 1998

Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy

Walter Matthau was 77 in Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Feb 04 1998

Out to Sea

Walter Matthau was 76 in Out to Sea as 'Charlie Gordon'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jul 02 1997

Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough

Walter Matthau was 76 in Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 01 1997

I'm Not Rappaport

Walter Matthau was 76 in I'm Not Rappaport as 'Nat Moyer'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 24 1996

Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman

Walter Matthau was 76 in Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Mon, Nov 25 1996

Grumpier Old Men

Walter Matthau was 75 in Grumpier Old Men as 'Max Goldman'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 22 1995

The Grass Harp

Walter Matthau was 74 in The Grass Harp as 'Judge Charlie Cool'.

Movie Released: Sun, Sep 10 1995

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

Walter Matthau was 74 in The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Mon, Jun 05 1995

I.Q.

Walter Matthau was 74 in I.Q. as 'Albert Einstein'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 24 1994

Incident in a Small Town

Walter Matthau was 73 in Incident in a Small Town as 'Harmon Cobb'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jan 23 1994

Grumpy Old Men

Walter Matthau was 73 in Grumpy Old Men as 'Max Goldman'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 25 1993

Dennis the Menace

Walter Matthau was 72 in Dennis the Menace as 'George Wilson'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 09 1993

Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy

Walter Matthau was 72 in Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 20 1993

How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

Walter Matthau was 72 in How The Grinch Stole Christmas! as 'Narrator (voice)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 12 1992

Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys

Walter Matthau was 71 in Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Sun, Apr 05 1992

Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore

Walter Matthau was 71 in Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore as 'Harmon Cobb'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jan 19 1992

JFK

Walter Matthau was 71 in JFK as 'Senator Long'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 20 1991

Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love

Walter Matthau was 70 in Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love as 'Clifford Pepperman'.

Movie Released: Sun, May 12 1991

The Incident

Walter Matthau was 69 in The Incident as 'Harmon Cobb'.

Movie Released: Sun, Mar 04 1990

Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

Walter Matthau was 68 in Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre as 'Himself'.

Movie Released: Mon, Jun 26 1989

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

Walter Matthau was 68 in James Stewart: A Wonderful Life as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Tue, Nov 22 1988

The Little Devil

Walter Matthau was 67 in The Little Devil as 'Padre Maurizio'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 01 1988

The Couch Trip

Walter Matthau was 67 in The Couch Trip as 'Donald Becker'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 15 1988

A Beverly Hills Christmas

Walter Matthau was 67 in A Beverly Hills Christmas as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 22 1987

Pirates

Walter Matthau was 65 in Pirates as 'Captain Thomas Bartholomew Red'.

Movie Released: Thu, May 08 1986

Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special

Walter Matthau was 65 in Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 17 1986

Movers & Shakers

Walter Matthau was 64 in Movers & Shakers as 'Joe Mulholland'.

Movie Released: Fri, May 03 1985

The Survivors

Walter Matthau was 62 in The Survivors as 'Sonny Paluso'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 24 1983

Portrait of a '60% Perfect Man': Billy Wilder

Walter Matthau was 61 in Portrait of a '60% Perfect Man': Billy Wilder as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Fri, May 21 1982

Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter

Walter Matthau was 61 in Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Sun, May 16 1982

I Ought to Be in Pictures

Walter Matthau was 61 in I Ought to Be in Pictures as 'Herbert Tucker'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 26 1982

I Love Liberty

Walter Matthau was 61 in I Love Liberty as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Sun, Mar 21 1982

First Monday in October

Walter Matthau was 60 in First Monday in October as 'Dan Snow'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 21 1981

Buddy Buddy

Walter Matthau was 60 in Buddy Buddy as 'Trabucco'.

Movie Released: Thu, Apr 02 1981

Hopscotch

Walter Matthau was 59 in Hopscotch as 'Miles Kendig'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 26 1980

Little Miss Marker

Walter Matthau was 59 in Little Miss Marker as 'Sorrowful Jones'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 21 1980

The Stingiest Man in Town

Walter Matthau was 58 in The Stingiest Man in Town as 'Ebenezer Scrooge (voice)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 23 1978

California Suite

Walter Matthau was 58 in California Suite as 'Marvin Michaels'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 15 1978

House Calls

Walter Matthau was 57 in House Calls as 'Dr. Charley Nichols'.

Movie Released: Wed, Mar 15 1978

Actor

Walter Matthau was 57 in Actor as 'Boris Thomashevsky'.

Movie Released: Tue, Feb 21 1978

Casey's Shadow

Walter Matthau was 57 in Casey's Shadow as 'Lloyd Bourdelle'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jan 01 1978

The Gentleman Tramp

Walter Matthau was 56 in The Gentleman Tramp as 'Self / Narrator'.

Movie Released: Sun, Oct 10 1976

The Bad News Bears

Walter Matthau was 55 in The Bad News Bears as 'Coach Morris Buttermaker'.

Movie Released: Tue, Apr 06 1976

The Sunshine Boys

Walter Matthau was 55 in The Sunshine Boys as 'Willy Clark'.

Movie Released: Thu, Nov 06 1975

The Lion Roars Again

Walter Matthau was 54 in The Lion Roars Again as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jan 01 1975

Earthquake

Walter Matthau was 54 in Earthquake as 'Drunk'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 15 1974

The Front Page

Walter Matthau was 54 in The Front Page as 'Walter Burns'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 01 1974

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Walter Matthau was 54 in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three as 'Lt. Garber'.

Movie Released: Wed, Oct 02 1974

The Laughing Policeman

Walter Matthau was 53 in The Laughing Policeman as 'Sgt. Jake Martin SFPD'.

Movie Released: Thu, Dec 20 1973

Charley Varrick

Walter Matthau was 52 in Charley Varrick as 'Charley Varrick'.

Movie Released: Wed, Sep 19 1973

Pete 'n' Tillie

Walter Matthau was 52 in Pete 'n' Tillie as 'Pete Seltzer'.

Movie Released: Sun, Dec 17 1972

Awake and Sing!

Walter Matthau was 51 in Awake and Sing! as 'Moe Axelrod'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jun 03 1972

Kotch

Walter Matthau was 50 in Kotch as 'Joseph P. Kotcher'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 17 1971

Plaza Suite

Walter Matthau was 50 in Plaza Suite as 'Roy Hubley / Jesse Kiplinger / Sam Nash'.

Movie Released: Wed, May 12 1971

A New Leaf

Walter Matthau was 50 in A New Leaf as 'Henry Graham'.

Movie Released: Thu, Mar 11 1971

Cactus Flower

Walter Matthau was 49 in Cactus Flower as 'Dr. Julian Winston'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 16 1969

Hello, Dolly!

Walter Matthau was 49 in Hello, Dolly! as 'Horace Vandergelder'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 12 1969

Candy

Walter Matthau was 48 in Candy as 'Gen. R.A. Smight'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 17 1968

Jack Benny's Bag

Walter Matthau was 48 in Jack Benny's Bag as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Sat, Nov 16 1968

The Secret Life of an American Wife

Walter Matthau was 47 in The Secret Life of an American Wife as 'The Movie Star'.

Movie Released: Tue, Jun 25 1968

The Odd Couple

Walter Matthau was 47 in The Odd Couple as 'Oscar Madison'.

Movie Released: Thu, May 16 1968

Carol Channing and 101 Men

Walter Matthau was 47 in Carol Channing and 101 Men as 'Self'.

Movie Released: Thu, Feb 29 1968

A Guide for the Married Man

Walter Matthau was 46 in A Guide for the Married Man as 'Paul Manning'.

Movie Released: Thu, May 25 1967

The Fortune Cookie

Walter Matthau was 46 in The Fortune Cookie as 'Willie Gingrich'.

Movie Released: Wed, Oct 19 1966

Mirage

Walter Matthau was 45 in Mirage as 'Ted Caselle'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 29 1965

Goodbye Charlie

Walter Matthau was 44 in Goodbye Charlie as 'Leo Sartori'.

Movie Released: Wed, Nov 18 1964

Fail Safe

Walter Matthau was 44 in Fail Safe as 'Prof. Groeteschele'.

Movie Released: Wed, Oct 07 1964

Ensign Pulver

Walter Matthau was 43 in Ensign Pulver as 'Doc'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 31 1964

Charade

Walter Matthau was 43 in Charade as 'Hamilton Bartholemew'.

Movie Released: Sun, Dec 01 1963

Island of Love

Walter Matthau was 42 in Island of Love as 'Tony Dallas'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 12 1963

Who's Got the Action?

Walter Matthau was 42 in Who's Got the Action? as 'Tony Gagouts'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 25 1962

Big Deal in Laredo

Walter Matthau was 42 in Big Deal in Laredo as 'Meredith'.

Movie Released: Sun, Oct 07 1962

Lonely are the Brave

Walter Matthau was 41 in Lonely are the Brave as 'Sheriff Morey Johnson'.

Movie Released: Thu, May 24 1962

Two by Saroyan: 'Once Around the Block' and 'My Heart's in the Highlands'

Walter Matthau was 40 in Two by Saroyan: 'Once Around the Block' and 'My Heart's in the Highlands' as 'Ben Alexander / Philip Judah'.

Movie Released: Mon, Nov 07 1960

Strangers When We Meet

Walter Matthau was 39 in Strangers When We Meet as 'Felix Anders'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 29 1960

Gangster Story

Walter Matthau was 39 in Gangster Story as 'Jack Martin'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 01 1959

Ride a Crooked Trail

Walter Matthau was 38 in Ride a Crooked Trail as 'Judge Kyle'.

Movie Released: Sun, Nov 23 1958

Onionhead

Walter Matthau was 38 in Onionhead as ''Red' Wildoe'.

Movie Released: Sat, Oct 25 1958

Voice in the Mirror

Walter Matthau was 37 in Voice in the Mirror as 'Dr. Karnes'.

Movie Released: Wed, Aug 13 1958

King Creole

Walter Matthau was 37 in King Creole as 'Maxie Fields'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jul 02 1958

Slaughter on 10th Avenue

Walter Matthau was 36 in Slaughter on 10th Avenue as 'Al Dahlke'.

Movie Released: Sun, Sep 01 1957

A Face in the Crowd

Walter Matthau was 36 in A Face in the Crowd as 'Mel Miller'.

Movie Released: Wed, May 29 1957

Bigger Than Life

Walter Matthau was 36 in Bigger Than Life as 'Wally Gibbs'.

Movie Released: Tue, Nov 20 1956

The Indian Fighter

Walter Matthau was 35 in The Indian Fighter as 'Wes Todd'.

Movie Released: Wed, Dec 21 1955

The Kentuckian

Walter Matthau was 34 in The Kentuckian as 'Stan Bodine'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 22 1955

Atomic Attack

Walter Matthau was 33 in Atomic Attack as 'Dr. Spinelli'.

Movie Released: Wed, May 19 1954

Funny Business

Walter Matthau will be 79+ in Funny Business as 'Self - Host'.

Movie Released: Unreleased

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages

Saturday Night Live

Walter Matthau was 55+ in Saturday Night Live as 'Self - Host'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Oct 11 1975

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

Walter Matthau was 52+ in The American Film Institute Salute to ... as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Apr 02 1973

Great Performances

Walter Matthau was 50+ in Great Performances as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 28 1971

The Dick Cavett Show

Walter Matthau was 47+ in The Dick Cavett Show as 'Self - Guest'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jun 06 1968

Profiles in Courage

Walter Matthau was 44+ in Profiles in Courage as 'Gov. John Slaton, Andrew Johnson'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Nov 08 1964

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

Walter Matthau was 43+ in Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Oct 04 1963

The Merv Griffin Show

Walter Matthau was 42+ in The Merv Griffin Show as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Oct 01 1962

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Walter Matthau was 42+ in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Oct 01 1962

The Mike Douglas Show

Walter Matthau was 41+ in The Mike Douglas Show as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Dec 11 1961

Target: The Corruptors!

Walter Matthau was 40+ in Target: The Corruptors!

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 29 1961

Dr. Kildare

Walter Matthau was 40+ in Dr. Kildare as 'Franklin Gaer'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 27 1961

Tallahassee 7000

Walter Matthau was 40+ in Tallahassee 7000 as 'Lex Rogers'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Jan 24 1961

Route 66

Walter Matthau was 40+ in Route 66

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Oct 07 1960

Naked City

Walter Matthau was 37+ in Naked City as 'Peter Kanopolis, Dr. Max Lewine'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 30 1958

Tony Awards

Walter Matthau was 35+ in Tony Awards as 'Self - Host'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Apr 01 1956

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Walter Matthau was 35+ in Alfred Hitchcock Presents as 'Off. Pete Chandler, Moran, Harry Wade, Phil'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 02 1955

Climax!

Walter Matthau was 34+ in Climax! as 'Charlie Mapes'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Oct 07 1954

The Oscars

Walter Matthau was 32+ in The Oscars as 'Self'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Mar 19 1953

General Electric Theater

Walter Matthau was 32+ in General Electric Theater as ', Tom Dutton'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 01 1953

Lux Video Theatre

Walter Matthau was 30+ in Lux Video Theatre as 'Coastguardsman, Inspector, Craig'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Oct 02 1950

Robert Montgomery Presents

Walter Matthau was 29+ in Robert Montgomery Presents as ', The Bartender'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jan 30 1950

Suspense

Walter Matthau was 28+ in Suspense as 'Lawrence Stevens'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 06 1949

Studio One

Walter Matthau was 28+ in Studio One as 'Jacobs, Olsen'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Nov 07 1948

The Philco Television Playhouse

Walter Matthau was 28+ in The Philco Television Playhouse as ', Iago, Stuart Benson'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 03 1948