Jack Lemmon was born in Newton, Massachusetts, to Mildred Lankford Noel and John Uhler Lemmon, Jr., the president of a doughnut company, where his ancestry was a blend of Irish and English, stemming from his paternal grandmother.
As a young boy, Jack attended Ward Elementary School near his Newton, Massachusetts home, and at the age of nine, he was sent to Rivers Country Day School, located in nearby Brookline, Massachusetts. After completing his education at RCDS, Jack went on to attend Phillips Andover Academy for his high school education.
Jack's academic pursuits continued at Harvard University, where he was part of the class of 1947. During his time at Harvard, he was actively involved in the Navy ROTC and the Dramatic Club, laying the foundation for his future career in the entertainment industry.
Following his service as a Navy ensign, Jack worked in various capacities, including playing piano in a beer hall, working in radio, off-Broadway, television, and Broadway productions. His movie debut was in the 1954 film "It Should Happen to You," alongside Judy Holliday.
Jack's impressive filmography includes numerous notable roles, earning him numerous award nominations and wins. He won the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Ensign Pulver in the 1955 film "Mister Roberts." He also received nominations for his comedic performances in "Some Like It Hot" (1959) and "The Apartment" (1960),as well as his dramatic roles in "Days of Wine and Roses" (1962),"The China Syndrome" (1979),"Tribute" (1980),and "Missing" (1982).
In addition to his numerous film accolades, Jack won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in "Save the Tiger" (1973) and the Cannes Best Actor award for "The China Syndrome" and "Missing." He also made his directorial debut with the 1971 film "Kotch" and later directed on Broadway in "Long Day's Journey into Night" in 1985.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jack received numerous honors and awards, including the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1988.
