Matthau and Sophia Loren in Grumpier Old Men (1995)

Walter Matthau (October 1, 1920 - July 1, 2000) was an American comedy actor possibly best known for his role as the gruff and less tidy of The Odd Couple.

Matthau got his start in b-movies; Matthau's hits Charade, The Fortune Cookie, and The Odd Couple (the last two opposite Jack Lemmon) didn't come along until nearly 20 years into Matthau's career. Matthau is also known for his role in The Bad News Bears. He starred again with Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men.

Walter Matthau died in 2000, and was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California.