John Uhler Lemmon III, known professionally as Jack Lemmon, was born on February 8, 1925, in Newton, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University, where he was president of the Hasty Pudding Club, an organization renowned for its annual satiric revues. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he graduated from Harvard in 1947 and moved to New York City.

There, he worked as a piano player and actor, taking roles in radio dramas and live television programs. His Broadway debut came in a revival of the farce Room Service in 1953, which led to a contract with Columbia Pictures the following year.

His first two film appearances were opposite Judy Holliday in It Should Happen to You and Phffft! in 1954. His Academy Award-winning performance as Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts (1955) firmly established him as one of the screen’s brightest new comic actors. He went on to deliver solid performances in comedies such as My Sister Eileen (1955), Operation Mad Ball (1957), Bell, Book and Candle (1958), and It Happened to Jane (1959).

His versatility shone through in his roles in Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Apartment (1960), both directed by Billy Wilder. His portrayal of an alcoholic in Days of Wine and Roses (1962) showcased his dramatic talents.

Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mister Roberts and the Academy Award for Best Actor for Save the Tiger (1973).

He was also nominated for his performances in Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Days of Wine and Roses, The China Syndrome (1979), Tribute (1980), and Missing (1982). His work on television earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Tuesdays with Morrie (1999).

His personal life included two marriages. He was first married to actress Cynthia Stone from 1950 to 1956, with whom he had a son, Chris Lemmon. In 1962, he married actress Felicia Farr, and they had a daughter, Courtney.

Jack Lemmon was known for his close friendship and long-running collaboration with actor Walter Matthau, with whom he starred in ten films, including The Odd Couple (1968), The Front Page (1974), and Grumpy Old Men (1993).

His lifestyle was marked by his dedication to his craft and his love for music. He was an accomplished pianist and often played the piano on film sets.

He passed away on June 27, 2001, in Los Angeles, California, from complications related to bladder cancer.