Today we are remembering the multi talented and legendary Jack Lemmon, who passed away on this date in 2001.
Jack needs absolutely no introduction, as I can safely say that he is regarded as one of Marilyn’s most beloved co-stars having acted alongside her in the iconic 1959 comedy “Some Like It Hot.”
Of course, he was so much more than “Daphne” the bull fiddle playing musician on the run from the Mob.. he had a lengthy and highly asteemed career spanning 6 decades, he was a two time Academy Award winner and up until recently, held the record for the most number of Golden Globe nominations in history (beaten only by Meryl Streep.)
Some of his film credits include: “The Apartment,” “The Odd Couple,” “The China Syndrome,” “Days Of Wine And Roses,” “Save The Tiger,” “Grumpy Old Men” and “Glengarry Glen Ross,” to name but a few.
It’s no coincedence that “Some Like It Hot” Director and writer Billy Wilder once said “Happiness is working with Jack Lemmon”, he was regarded as one of the nicest, hardest working and most respected Actors in the business. In turn, he never had an unkind word to say about any of his fellow co stars throughout the years and always especially spoke highly of Marilyn. He was once quoted as saying:
“Marilyn had an incredible charisma that was so rare, I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. She had a lot of talent as an actress and she used that talent to the best of her ability as well as her skills as a comedienne, which worked out marvelously for her as with that combined, she created that certain magic on film. I loved working with her and a lot of people say that is clear in our scenes together. I absolutely adored her and we got on wonderfully.”