Hollywood Idols

Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman

Season 1, Episode 12 of 14

Jack Lemmon was born in Boston, graduated from Harvard and then headed for New York City to become a professional actor. His first acting roles were in soap operas and live TV dramas. But, it was his appearance in a Broadway revival of Room Service that led to a co-starring role with Judy Holliday in his first movie, It Should Happen to You. His unmistakable intellect and boyish, average looks played against him becoming a romantic leading man. But, his live TV and comedy training gave him the perfect timing, the precise emotional balance and the total believability that showed in films as diverse as Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Days of Wine and Roses, and The Odd Couple. In his later films, Save the Tiger, The China Syndrome, and Glengarry Glenn Ross, Lemmon exposed the darker side of the American way of life. Jack Lemmon made more than 60 films and received numerous awards, including eight Academy Award Nominations and two Oscars. This profile includes interviews with Lemmon's son, the actor Chris Lemmon. Also appearing are such legends as Jack's life-long friend, the writer and director, Billy Wilder, writer-director Garson Kanin, and actor, Gregory Peck. Actor Kevin Spacey, writer Neil Simon, director Delbert Mann, and other Hollywood luminaries help complete the profile. Clips from some of Lemmon's major films as well as archival footage add to this portrait of one of America's most illustrious and productive stars.

Previously Aired

Day
Time
Channel
10/10/2018
11 p.m.
10/16/2018
3 p.m.
8/12/2019
3:31 p.m.
8/28/2019
7:30 p.m.
8/29/2019
2:30 a.m.
1/1/2020
5 a.m.
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