🎥 Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau in five of his most iconic and unforgettable roles.
Walter Matthau wasn’t your typical Hollywood star. He didn’t rely on chiseled looks or charm to carry a scene—instead, he built his reputation on authenticity, wit, and a talent for portraying deeply human characters. The Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau reflect that rare ability to turn ordinary men into unforgettable figures. He had a gift for revealing the vulnerability behind the sarcasm, creating characters who felt lived-in and real. That grounded quality became his trademark, making his performances resonate long after the credits rolled.
There was always more going on behind Matthau’s eyes than the lines on the page suggested. He could command a scene with a sigh, a glare, or a muttered aside, and yet never seemed to be overacting. In the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau, you see an actor who knew the value of restraint—how to make every gesture count without calling attention to it. His characters were often world-weary, skeptical, or quietly defeated, but Matthau never let them feel one-dimensional. He gave them depth, whether through a subtle twitch of the mouth or a perfectly timed pause.
What makes these performances endure isn’t just technical mastery—it’s the soul behind them. Walter Matthau knew how to find truth in the mundane, how to inject humor into heaviness, and how to make even the most reluctant heroes feel heroic. The Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau are more than just highlights of his career—they’re lessons in how powerful understatement can be. He didn’t play characters; he embodied them, and in doing so, left a blueprint for actors who dare to be real.
🎩 Hello, Dolly!
In one of the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau, the seasoned actor steps into the flamboyant world of Hello, Dolly! with his signature blend of dry wit and reluctant charm. Portraying Horace Vandergelder, Matthau brings balance to a musical overflowing with color, energy, and extravagant set pieces. His grounded, cantankerous presence serves as a counterweight to the effervescent performance of Barbra Streisand, who dazzles in the title role. Rather than being overshadowed, Matthau makes his mark by embracing the curmudgeonly character with such conviction that his grumbling reactions become part of the film’s comedic rhythm.
Walter Matthau in one of his most unexpected and theatrical performances.
Despite initial tension between Matthau and Streisand off-screen, their onscreen chemistry thrives on contrast. Matthau’s portrayal of a crusty Yonkers merchant resisting romance adds layers to what might otherwise have been a one-note character. Directed by Gene Kelly and supported by a strong cast including Michael Crawford, Danny Lockin, and E.J. Peaker, this film gave Matthau a chance to showcase his range within a genre he rarely touched. It’s this departure from his usual grittier fare that makes it stand out among the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau, proving he could shine even under a top hat and tails.
This deluxe DVD edition includes digitally remastered visuals, special featurettes, and a behind-the-scenes look at the turbulent yet triumphant production.
🧓 Kotch
In one of the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau, Kotch stands out as a deeply personal and emotionally resonant performance. Matthau steps away from his usual comedic sharpness to embody Joseph Kotcher, an aging man who refuses to be sidelined by the expectations of others. There’s a quiet dignity to how Matthau navigates the role—less about punchlines, more about presence. His portrayal of a man fighting for relevance and self-worth as his family pushes him toward a retirement home is tender, raw, and beautifully restrained. It’s one of those rare performances where the actor seems to vanish entirely into the role.
Walter Matthau delivers a heartfelt performance in *Kotch* (1971).
Directed by Jack Lemmon, though not co-starring with him this time, Kotch became a passion project for both stars. The film’s emotional weight is grounded in Matthau’s subtle expressions, especially in scenes opposite young co-star Deborah Winters, where he finds moments of unexpected connection and empathy. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, one of the few times critics and the public fully acknowledged his dramatic ability. That critical acclaim and emotional depth firmly place this among the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau.
This special edition DVD features a remastered print and behind-the-scenes insights from Lemmon’s perspective on directing his longtime friend.
🕵️ Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a sly, elegant showcase for everything that made Walter Matthau great, making it a clear inclusion among the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau. Here, he plays CIA veteran Miles Kendig with effortless cool—an aging intelligence officer who outsmarts both his enemies and his own agency using wit, charm, and a few forged documents. Matthau’s performance is both relaxed and razor-sharp, full of subtle defiance and dry humor. He doesn’t dominate scenes with force; he wins them with finesse. This is Matthau as both rebel and gentleman, never breaking a sweat as he stays ten steps ahead of everyone else.
Walter Matthau stars as rogue agent Miles Kendig in Hopscotch.
Directed by Ronald Neame, the film features standout performances from Glenda Jackson, Sam Waterston, and Ned Beatty, but it’s Matthau’s quiet rebellion that makes the whole thing tick. His scenes with Jackson sparkle with intelligence and chemistry, proving that romance and espionage can coexist without sacrificing either. The Criterion Collection release of Hopscotch further cements its legacy, offering fans a pristine restoration of one of Matthau’s most enjoyable—and underappreciated—films. It’s fun, clever, and endlessly rewatchable, securing its place as one of the very Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau.
This Criterion edition includes a restored digital transfer, audio commentary, and exclusive interviews with cast and crew.
⚖️ First Monday in October
First Monday in October gave Walter Matthau an unexpected but welcome role within the halls of political drama, and it ranks firmly among the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau. Cast as Justice Daniel Snow, a staunchly conservative member of the U.S. Supreme Court, Matthau finds himself matched—and challenged—by liberal newcomer Justice Ruth Loomis, played brilliantly by Jill Clayburgh. Their ideological clashes form the film’s backbone, but it’s the emotional restraint and unexpected warmth Matthau brings to his role that gives the film its depth. His performance is both measured and magnetic, showing his versatility without leaning on comedy or sentiment.
Matthau in robes, giving weight to courtroom drama in First Monday in October.
Directed by Ronald Neame, who also helmed Hopscotch, the film’s strength lies in dialogue and character rather than spectacle. Matthau thrives in this setting, using pauses, inflections, and glances to convey years of legal experience and personal stubbornness. His chemistry with Clayburgh is compelling, making their courtroom debates feel both intellectual and emotional. Unlike his broader comedic roles, this film shows Matthau as a man grappling with change—not with punchlines, but with quiet reflection. That layered performance is what secures this as one of the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau—a thoughtful, understated masterclass from a true screen veteran.
This DVD release includes original trailers and a commentary track exploring the real-life inspirations behind the screenplay.
🏛️ Incident in a Small Town
In Incident in a Small Town, Walter Matthau brings gravity, wisdom, and moral clarity to one of his most underappreciated dramatic roles, making it one of the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau. Returning as attorney Harmon Cobb in this third installment of a made-for-TV trilogy, Matthau delivers a moving performance steeped in quiet strength and emotional control. As Cobb takes on a delicate case involving child abuse and justice, Matthau portrays him not as a crusader but as a man deeply committed to doing what’s right—even when the cost is high. His performance is a study in restraint, letting emotion simmer just beneath the surface.
Matthau as Harmon Cobb, facing the hard truths of justice and family.
Starring alongside Harry Morgan, Nick Stahl, and Bernard Behrens, Matthau carries the story with a quiet dignity that anchors the entire film. It’s not a flashy role, but it’s one that showcases the depth of Matthau’s range as an actor willing to tackle real human issues. The courtroom scenes are tense yet understated, and the emotional payoff is earned through careful pacing and character development. Among the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau, this performance stands out for its sincerity and emotional intelligence, reminding audiences that power doesn’t always come from volume—it can come from silence and truth.
This DVD release includes all three Cobb films and a featurette on Matthau’s late-career dramatic work.
Walter Matthau’s career defied expectations and outlasted trends, not by reinventing himself, but by staying true to what made him great—honesty, intelligence, and impeccable timing. Whether he was delivering laughs in musicals, trading barbs in courtroom dramas, or quietly carrying emotional weight in TV films, Matthau made every role feel necessary. These five selections represent the Best Movies Roles of Walter Matthau not just for their performances, but for what they reveal about the man himself. He wasn’t just acting—he was always telling the truth, and that’s what made him unforgettable.
Further Reading & Resources
📖 Read: Jack Lemmon Biography, Filmography, Pictures
🔍 Explore: Walter Matthau at Rotten Tomatoes
ML Lamp is the owner of Kilroy Was Here. After his 20 years of working in Las Vegas in the entertainment promotions field, Mr. Lamp retired in 2002 from his job to pursue his passion for collectibles. Now as a guest speaker and author he’s living the dream, and sharing his warmth with You.