These five films track Lemmon’s evolution from comic everyman to serious dramatist.
Jack Lemmon is a true icon in the movie world this multiple academy award winning actor has starred in well over 60 movies during his long and amazing career. He is perhaps best known for his amazing chemistry that he had with fellow actor Walter Matthau.
Jack Lemmon remains one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers, seamlessly shifting from uproarious comedy to soulful drama. These five roles Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Save the Tiger, The Odd Couple, and Grumpy Old Men capture his unique blend of humor, heart, and emotional truth. Over decades, he earned acclaim by making every character feel human, flawed, and memorable. These Jack Lemmon movie roles still matter, because they continue to teach us what great acting looks like.
Jack Lemmon’s range was nothing short of remarkable. Whether playing a neurotic everyman, a tragic romantic, or a slapstick goof, he brought a level of depth and authenticity to all his Jack Lemmon movie roles. He had a unique ability to turn comedic parts into something heartfelt and serious characters into something deeply relatable. His talent earned him respect from critics and audiences alike, making him one of the most enduring stars of his generation.
While his partnership with Walter Matthau delivered some of the most beloved buddy comedies in film history, many standout Jack Lemmon movie roles came from his solo work. From romantic comedies to powerful dramas, he built a career that never stood still.
😂 Grumpy Old Men (1993) – Late-Career Comedy with Heart
Jack Lemmon plays the role of John Gustafson who has lived next door to Max Goldman, played by Walter Matthau, for decades. The two of them have not been friends since they were kids and have a feud going on all these years. Things heat up for the pair when a new female neighbor, played by Ann-Margret, moves into the street. This is comedy at its best, and while the main plot is laugh-out-loud funny, there are some great little subplots that really add to the charm of this classic.
The chemistry between Lemmon and Matthau is flawless, and Ann-Margret brings just the right mix of warmth and sass to stir the pot. Lemmon delivers one of his most lovable performances here, capturing both the grumpiness and the hidden heart of his character. If you love this, then you’ll definitely want to check out its equally hilarious sequel Grumpier Old Men.
Grumpy Old Men
🏢 The Apartment (1960) – Dark Comedy & Romantic Drama
This bittersweet romantic comedy-drama features one of the most emotionally resonant Jack Lemmon movie roles of all time. Lemmon plays C.C. Baxter, a lonely office clerk who lends out his apartment to corporate executives for their extramarital affairs hoping it will help him climb the career ladder. But things get complicated when he falls for elevator operator Fran Kubelik, played by Shirley MacLaine.
Lemmon brings both humor and heartbreak to the role, capturing the quiet desperation of a man trying to do the right thing in a corrupt world. Directed by Billy Wilder, The Apartment won the Oscar for Best Picture and cemented Lemmon’s status as a master of both comedy and drama. It’s a pitch-perfect blend of charm, sadness, and hope one of the most essential Jack Lemmon movie roles ever put to film.
🔥 Save the Tiger (1973) – Oscar-Winning Moral Crisis Drama
Jack Lemmon gives an Oscar-winning performance playing businessman Harry Stoner. Save The Tiger tells the story of Harry Stoner, who resorts to desperate measures to save his struggling apparel business. This includes getting involved with business fraud, arson, and even prostitution as he spirals deeper into moral crisis. This is one of the best dramatic roles that Jack Lemmon ever played a real powerhouse performance that earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Supporting performances by Jack Gilford as his conflicted business partner and Laurie Heineman as a young free-spirited hitchhiker help round out the emotional depth of the film. Lemmon’s portrayal of a man torn between the ideals of his past and the compromises of his present remains one of the most haunting and unforgettable Jack Lemmon movie roles ever filmed.
Save The Tiger
🤣 The Odd Couple (1968) – Iconic Comedy Duo with Walter Matthau
You really could not make a list of Jack Lemmon movie roles without putting this absolute gem on it. Playing the role of Felix Unger alongside Walter Matthau, who is playing Oscar Madison, the two bring to life one of the most iconic pairings in film history. You could perhaps call this the original buddy bro-mance type comedy. Lemmon and Matthau play two middle-aged divorced men who end up living together. Sounds great except they drive each other crazy. It's like every little thing they do annoys one another.
This is a timeless classic, one of the all-time greats when it comes to comedy. Lemmon’s neurotic, tidy Felix is the perfect counterbalance to Matthau’s slobby, carefree Oscar. Their unmatched chemistry and razor-sharp timing elevate every scene. Among the many Jack Lemmon movie roles, Felix Unger remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant characters of his entire career.
The Odd Couple
🎷 Some Like It Hot (1959) – Cross-dressing comedy
One of the most celebrated comedies in film history, Some Like It Hot features one of the most memorable Jack Lemmon movie roles ever. Lemmon stars as Jerry, a down-on-his-luck musician who along with his buddy played by Tony Curtis witnesses a mob hit and goes on the run by disguising themselves as women in an all-female band. Lemmon’s transformation into "Daphne" is both hilarious and endearing, with perfect timing and physical comedy that still holds up today.
Sharing the screen with the dazzling Marilyn Monroe, Lemmon creates a comic dynamic that is unmatched. His performance is energetic, outrageous, and utterly convincing, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. From the witty dialogue to the unforgettable final line, this film remains a standout in any list of Jack Lemmon movie roles, and a must-see for anyone who loves classic Hollywood comedy.
From outrageous comedies to gripping dramas, Jack Lemmon movie roles spanned every genre with equal brilliance. He brought a rare mix of wit, vulnerability, and charm to every character he played, making him relatable even in the most outrageous situations. Whether dressed in drag, locked in a feud with Walter Matthau, or wrestling with inner demons, Lemmon always made it feel real.
His performances continue to resonate with audiences old and new, a testament to his timeless talent and magnetic screen presence. For fans of classic cinema, revisiting his best films is not just a trip down memory lane it’s a reminder of what truly great acting looks like.
🗣️ Why They Still Matter
Jack Lemmon movie roles still resonate because they show how one actor could embody humor, heartbreak, and humanity with equal conviction. Whether playing a lonely bachelor, a desperate businessman, or a cranky retiree, he gave audiences characters that felt alive. These films endure not only as entertainment but as timeless lessons in empathy and craft.
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.
