Hollywood legend Jack Lemmon dies

Jack Lemmon, the two–time Oscar winner whose acting talents ranged from adroit comedies "The Apartment" and "Some Like It Hot" to the dramatic intensity of "Days of Wine and Roses" and "Tuesdays with Morrie," has died. He was 76.

Lemmon died on Wednesday night from complications related to cancer, said longtime spokesman Warren Cowan. His wife Felicia, his two children and a stepdaughter were at his bedside at USC/Norris Cancer Center, Cowan said.

The Harvard–educated actor began in films with two stylish comedies and a musical with Betty Grable. Then in 1955, his unique comedy style shined through as the hapless Ensign Pulver in "Mister Roberts," a role that won Lemmon a supporting actor Oscar.

Throughout his career, and especially in films with Walter Matthau, Lemmon was often cast as the well–meaning fellow, a trifle square, who is taken advantage of.

In "The Fortune Cookie," he is browbeaten into filing a false insurance claim by his brother–in–law. "The Odd Couple" portrayed Lemmon as the fastidious Felix Unger, who suffers from the slobbish habits of his roommate, Oscar Madison (Matthau). In "The Front Page," city editor Matthau tricks his star reporter, Lemmon.

In 1962, Lemmon switched from lighthearted comedies to intense drama. In "Days of Wine and Roses," he played an alcoholic who induces his new wife (Lee Remick) to join him in drinking sprees. His performance earned his first Academy nomination as lead actor.

Of his seven Oscar nominations for lead actor, two were for comedies and five for dramas.

"Save the Tiger," in which he played a dress manufacturer going along with shady business ethics despite the idealism of his youth, won him the Oscar for best actor of 1973. The project was rejected by studios until Paramount agreed to make it on a dlrs 1 million budget. Lemmon cut his salary to the guild minimum of dlrs 165 a week to pull it off.

Lemmon's comedic style was based on his portrayal of a well–meaning Everyman beset by disasters. Such a guise seemed to come easily – he was a self–proclaimed klutz.

His life, he often admitted, was a series of faux pas, like the night he won his first Oscar:

"Naturally I was thrilled, and I arrived at the Pantages Theater in my best tuxedo. I walked up a ramp to a platform for an interview, and I leaned against a railing. Only after I finished did I see a sign that said 'Fresh Paint."'

Lemmon's roles reflected a nervous energy that came naturally.

"I seldom think that I'm up for a good role," he said in a 1975 interview. "I nearly walked out on 'Days of Wine and Roses' and 'Some Like It Hot' because I didn't think I could handle the demands they made upon me as an actor. But if you think I'm insecure now, you should've seen me when I was first breaking in. I'd suffer dizzy spells. I was well on my way to becoming a basket case."

Lemmon's career in film was marked by two inspired collaborations, with Billy Wilder and Matthau.

Wilder first directed Lemmon in "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment," which resulted in back–to–back Oscar nominations. They joined in five more films: "Irma La Douce," "The Fortune Cookie," "Avanti!" "The Front Page" and "Buddy Buddy."

From his first film with Matthau, "The Fortune Cookie" in 1966, Lemmon's fresh–faced, Ivy–League manner proved a perfect match for the slouching, gruff Matthau, who won the supporting actor Oscar.

"The Odd Couple" in 1968 cemented their relationship, and they costarred in six more films.

In 1993, he and Matthau rejoined for "Grumpy Old Men" with Ann–Margret. The comedy became a surprise hit and resulted in a sequel. The pair tried another sequel in 1998, "The Odd Couple II," but it failed. Matthau died July 1, 2000.