Acting legend Jack Lemmon - Glen Garry Glen Ross

An honor to chat with this gentleman star..so many great roles..what a resume and life: Lemmon was an eight time Academy Award nominee, with two wins. He starred in over 60 films, such as Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Mister Roberts (for which he won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Race, Irma la Douce, The Odd Couple and its sequel 30 years later, The Odd Couple II, (and other frequent collaborations with Odd Couple co-star Walter Matthau), Save the Tiger (for which he won the 1973 Academy Award for Best Actor), The Out-of-Towners, The China Syndrome, Missing (for which he won Best Actor at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival), Glengarry Glen Ross, Tuesdays with Morrie, Grumpy Old Men, and Grumpier Old Men. passed away in 2001 ..9 years after this interview

[@MisterChris1978]

his work in Glen Garry Glen Ross was a masterclass in acting.

[@garethgill1]

Truth

[@paulkelly5788]

Totally agree. His acting in Glengarry glenross was phenomenal. One of the greatest actors ever

[@TBrl8]

The machine!

[@LesterMoore]

@@TBrl8 Thump the Machine!

[@rossl5908]

I love the little play acting thing he does with the fishing rod. It just screamed desperation and was Oscar bait

[@bobbyricigliano2799]

Legend indeed. Jack Lemmon's acting in Glen Garry Glen Ross is at once funny, conniving, desperate, sad, and absolutely amazing.

[@acehood9953]

I just watched that movie for the first time. His performance was absolutely amazing.

[@grahamblack1961]

It was shocking seeing him in Glengarry Glen Ross, it was like hearing your favourite uncle swearing for the first time. He was truly brilliant in it. A great actor, we'll never see film stars of this calibre again.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

that was hardly the first time he swore on screen, you idiot....

[@grahamblack1961]

@@CaptainSpalding72 How do you know my uncle swore on scree before?

[@kingamoeboid3887]

It's the same for me when I saw Joe Pesci in Home Alone as a kid and when I saw him in Goodfellas when I was a teenager.

[@ibleebinU]

Shelley 'the machine' Levene! Extraordinary film, cast and acting!

[@bobwallacejnr6852]

One of the greatest actors and coolest guys of all time. His performance in GGR ( my favorite movie) is the pinnacle of how an actor can be the special effect. The cast in this movie is a movie lovers dream. Sadly they don't make movies like this anymore...it's all remakes and superheroes...such a shame.

[@bozotheclown169]

exactly re watching GGR the other night and the various scenes with Jack, Al, Ed and Baldwin are all mesmerizing .. the movie wasnt a hit but like Blade Runner its a classic that will live on forever

[@Seminal_Ideas]

Plus it's "too white" to be permissible today. It just simply wouldn't be allowed.

[@sinceunati]

​@@Seminal_IdeasFunny thing is "people of color" aren't the ones who would even give a shit. It would be some 20 year old asshole.

[@noisepuppet]

I'm skeptical about the idea that things were all that different ~30 years ago, so I glanced at some lists. The top 10 highest grossing films of 1992 do show a bit of Sequel Syndrome creeping in, but in 2022, 8 of the top 10 were sequels, and one was a reboot of Batman, a franchise that's had at least 7 major movies in under 35 years, not counting other spinoffs and franchises that feature Batman. So that's 9 out of 10. And the other one is from China. So yep, the business is way different now.

[@noisepuppet]

But to be fair, the industry never cranked out a lot of movies like GGR. I don't think the Hollywood marketing establishment knew what to do with this thing. Trailers from Hell has a video where John Landis talks about the trailer they released for it, and it's comically evident that they had no idea how to represent this movie. It comes off as a heist/caper movie, like Ocean's 11, but where everyone's kind of a loser. 😂

[@DidYaServe]

Jack was a legend. There will never be the likes of him again.

[@Baz87100]

*is a legend.

[@txmetalhead82xk]

I remember watching Some Like It Hot, in drama class. We had a great, motivational teacher.

[@JimmyJam1125]

Sadly you are right. Our world dont create great men like this anymore

[@scruggsdaggard5226]

He’s just an absolute legend. Love the bloke.

[@dyates6380]

One of the best, greatest actors. Ever.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Just see him in Glengarry and you will see him ride over some of the greatest actors we have ever had, everyone is brilliant in that film but he is the best for me, totally believable and a character you can feel sorry for one second then hate in the next second

[@mitchellbowman22]

His performance was the best followed by Pacino. One of the best movies ever made

[@HeyDoNotSubscribe]

@@mitchellbowman22 Al stole the screen as usual

[@LLOOYYYDD]

Al Pacino was fantastic but they all were, no actor was better than another. Even Jonathan Price was fantastic as the gullible and battered husband. Brilliant film all round

[@waterhead1027]

Sounds corny, I don't really care, but I could feel the desperation and pain coming off of his character. Could be because I've known a few guys ( drunks ) like that. Hanging on by a fraying thread.

[@LLOOYYYDD]

@@waterhead1027 not corny at all, I've known guys like that too

[@jhova187]

Such a talent !!! How can such a skilled accomplished man act like a defeated one so convincingly? Simply amazing 🥲

[@irishlamb4018]

Days of wine and roses....wow!!!

[@ruthlessgoat3702]

@@irishlamb4018 Yes. The greenhouse scene was one of the most dramatic in cinema history.

[@hymansahak181]

There are great actors, there are amazing actors, there are superstar actors and then there is Mr Jack Lemmon.

[@llongdong]

"The Apartment" is a great show. I've watched it about 25 times. I'm an old fella; came up through the Corporate world in the 70's. That show is real world. Office gals being used. Suicide attempts. Low levels (like me) being stepped on. Yeah, that show is one you could call "great". And, this here fella Lemmon was a major part of it.

[@axlrose7668]

He had those kind eyes.

[@NovieBigSad]

Yes, definitely could see a gentle soul

[@pattyoneill6724]

He was a great actor and reminded me of my Dad. The scene where he is partying on the train in Some like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe is priceless !

[@CyanideSublime]

R.I.P. Jack Lemmon. I memorized the entire script to The Odd Couple. What a staple figure of my mind, personally.

[@edkeaton]

Jack Lemmon was amazing in "Glengarry Glen Ross." This film was just a master class of acting talents! I loved his scenes along with another one of my favorite actors Al Pacino!

[@maximusaugustus6823]

He was amazing in this movie, he is a master in acting.

[@bobwallacejnr6852]

a year on from my last comment I have researched Jack and watched almost everything he has been in. He is without doubt the greatest actor the world has ever seen and equally a terrific American gentleman.

[@timholbrook7671]

Great performance as Shelly Levin in GGGR! Oscar quality. All of the cast was exceptional in every way. Baldwin also stepped up his game to present a memorable role. I have literally have to see this film at least three or four times a year. You can just 'feel' the conflict and frustration in the lives of these seasoned salesman. Very special piece of film! Bravo....

[@alexjaybrady]

There is a superb BBC radioplay version with Alfred Molina as Ricky Roma, well worth a listen if you can find it. No Blake (Bladwins role) who was created for the movie, but its still really good.

[@MClaudiusMarcellus]

@@alexjaybrady Thanks for the suggestion, it's conveniently on youtube. I feel like Baldwin's lines are what is most remembered about the movie, which is unfortunate because it's so brilliant and so much more than coffee is for closers!

[@interstellar1962]

Jack, you were one of the best, and you have left us with a superb body of work, many to discover for the first time, many to enjoy, and then many to watch again. Thank you!

[@billlozier5551]

I felt so sorry for the"machine"in Glen Gary. Tragic.

[@gc99289]

Shelly somehow became a loser. Had terrible salesmanship style. Was going to kill himself before Moss offered him to rob the office, even though he had daughter in the hospital. Copped to a crime to an office secretary. He was beyond weak and had to go.

[@Ihavehadmanynames7779]

That last scene where roma kept praising him without knowing and constantly interrupting his attempts at trying to tell him crushed me not gonna lie

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Absolutely! He used to be the King of The Sellers.

[@bobobandy9382]

The point of the story was that when he was younger ("The Machine") he treated everyone around him like dirt. When he got older and less able, he had no one to look out for him. They all resented his previous behavior and relished his fall.

[@billlozier5551]

@@bobobandy9382 that's an interesting point. How did u arrive at that? How was he resented. AL'S Character respected him big time. ED'S Character was jealous. The rest seemed respectful. What did I miss?

[@markburnham7512]

Love Jack Lemmon. I always liked him, but found a new level of respect for him in "Save The Tiger". He achieved the great body of work that he sought.

[@rayunited2010foryou]

He had a lovely top class American man's voice, something you wouldn't see much in American actors nowadays.

[@steph13326ify]

The best of the best.

[@stylishboy004]

True American hero. What America stands for, I see in him.

[@annmarieknapp2480]

Love Jack Lemmon!!!

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Very kind, classy man ...you can tell ...one of America's best ...thank God for Jack 🍋💟

[@francoislepine4698]

ANYTHING with Jack Lemmon in it is not only worth watching but a "must watch" film. The films he has appeared in cover ALL the possible categories/genres of stories. He not only adapted well to all of them he MASTERED them all. There have been lots of actors who appear in a film or two "out of character" for them and did an adequate job of it...and "out of character" role simply did not exist for Jack Lemmon ! Mr Roberts, Days of whine and roses, The Apartment, The Out of towners, The China syndrome.....the list is ENDLESS. My all time favourite actor.

[@amiblueful]

Jack Lemmon is my favorite actor of all time. Glengarry Glen Ross and Days of Wine and Roses are two of my favorite movies.

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Jack Lemon doesn't get his due, one of the greatest actors of all time. If you were ever in a scene with him it would have been hard to spend more time watching him than remembering what you have to do. What a legend, thanks for this interview.

[@StevenCarinci]

He makes it look too easy. He's that talented. He's what is called an an actor's actor like John Casals.

[@billlozier5551]

Whoever the interviewer was did a great job.

[@ApeLikeCreature]

What a treasure! I enjoy watching him in whatever film he is in.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

He wanted to be remembered for a body of work both comedic and dramatic. Mission accomplished.

[@xwhy888]

he was remarkable in the movie! such a great actor!

[@nealrothchild3470]

He was so awesome in that role. So real. Amazing and worth it to watch him

[@flavoredwallpaper]

Agreed. Probably my favorite character in the movie. I felt so sorry for him. He was so perfectly desperate and pathetic.

[@MK-vm1cd]

He’s such a great salesman actor!

[@gc99289]

Loser salesman.

[@mkkravist11]

A great man, Jack Lemmon!!

[@jamesgilbey8672]

Jack Lemmon multi-talented as they come what a role for Jack late in his career...he killed it!

[@kimkimpa5150]

See Glengarry Glen Ross if you can people. You've got Baldwin's epic speech, Harris' smugness and rage, Spacey's stoneface, Arkin's perfect portrayal of a nervous pushover, and Pacino being classic Pacino, but Jack Lemmon's perfect embodiment of Shelley Levene easily tops all of them. What a great actor.

[@davidhardy2583]

No b listers in that movie.

[@peterjonsson3807]

Absolutely

[@stripervince1]

A legend. Glengarry would have won every Oscar, but it was a catch 22. The language /cursing was too harsh for the ratings. That killed it. But to take out the bitter language, would have killed the intensity any reality.. Amazing performances by entire cast

[@leeherring8880]

Without the swearing, Glengarry was too intellectual to clear up at the Oscars. I can't recall how it did with the Critics Circles. I'm sure very well.

[@ayokay123]

My favorites were Irma La Douce, The Odd Couple, China syndrome, and Glengarry. Definitely need to see Save The Tiger.

[@jonser20cent68]

"Days of wine and Roses" was great too.

[@rmurphy440m]

What a badass. I wish I could have met him when he was still here. Mabey I'll get a chance yet...

[@matthedlund502]

Genius actor. No one like him.

[@sindrehllesli3303]

Magnificent guy!

[@holamoco]

A Legend.

[@ЏонМастерман]

The acting machine

[@tensegritywill]

In GGGR, when Shelly (Jack) first makes that sales call on the phone, just listen to Jack's voice. That moment can teach you more about acting than any school.

[@jimmyfaherty8588]

great interview 👍 miss him. one of the greatest!

[@DiarmuidJason01]

RIP Jack lemmon

[@linkbiff1054]

So there’s The Apartment, Mr. Roberts, Short Cuts, Save The Tiger, and Glengarry Glen Ross. Those are Lemmon’s finest roles

[@Whoo711]

I'm not cut out to be a thief; I'm cut out to be a SALESMAN! I've got my BALLS BACK

[@tomjones2348]

I think one of the unsung heros of the film is the lighting director. Look at the lighting effects. The entire indoor set was built inside a large enclosure.

[@jennifer86010]

The great film director Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot) often said to Jack Lemmon (....and Jack, please on this next take, please a little less." Lemmon said that he was often told "A little less" because he was usually full of energy, and often over acted and over animated. Perhaps this was due in part to his basic personality and to the many comedy roles he played as a rising young film actor. At any rate, after I heard Jack Lemmon recall this advice that Wilder gave him, I realized that he was usually "too much" in many of his roles. That is. until he did "Save The Tiger" at age 48 in 1973. As character Harry Stoner, plagued with a failing relationship and a business teetering on the brink of ruin, Jack Lemmon became the exact opposite of what his basic animated, energetic, optimistic personality usually expressed. He was a totally different person in "Save The Tiger", and he made sure that he didn't slip into any of his usual "Lemmonisms" which trademarked his image. Lemmon considered "Save The Tiger" as his finest film performance, and he asked for only S.A.G. scale pay to do the film. Throughout the film, he gives brilliant, serious gripping performances scene after scene, not laced with drama or pathos, but under acted which allowed the viewer to feel his worried inner turmoil. Near the end of the film, Jack delivers one of the most sincere, heartfelt scenes ever captured on film, as he explains that all he wants in life is "to be able to be in love with someone, or something...an idea, a cat, a dog...something"....... Writer David Mamet and film writer/producer Steve Shagan wrote a brilliantly-crafted script, and Lemmon transformed himself into the perfect actor and character to deliver the writer's words. Lemmon won a very well-earned Oscar for his performance. His role in "Save The Tiger" opened new doors of expression that had not been walked through by Jack in many of his previous film roles. Finally, the advice of Billy Wilder sunk in, and Jack became that character who beautifully delivered "less".

[@Luke-iq9yk]

Old Gill (Levine ?) had to make that sale. Iconic actor, just outstanding in GlennGary

[@jamespietruch8741]

" Always be closing ".

[@safescubadivingwithanis]

Awesome actor...

[@jkorshak]

It's amazing to consider how Jack Lemmon could delilver the range of genuine emotion and pathos in Glen Garry Glen Ross or The China Syndrome and the almost frantic goofiness and just plain slapstick as Ensign Pulver or his dual roles as Professor Fate and Prince Hapnick in The Great Race. Truly, one of the acting giants of the 2nd half of the 20th century.

[@fahdchoudry7763]

One of my top 3 actors of all time

[@sniffableandirresistble]

Thank you Thank you

[@SoundsofDecay]

"To go beyond entertaining and make you think"....my guy

[@jeffcloser2814]

"Put the coffee DOWN" scene...amazing !!! JL was amazing

[@richardmiller1289]

When I really think about it he's probably my all-time actor.

[@Seminal_Ideas]

Jack lemon described GGR as "Death of a f*cking salesman". It's brutal but brilliant.

[@jamesdrynan]

From Ensign Pulver all the way through, I've been a big fan of Lemmon. Some Like it Hot, The Apartment, The Odd Couple, Days of Wine and Roses, Save the Tiger, China Syndrome, Irma La Douce, The Fortune Cookie, Missing and Buddy, Buddy. Just a few of his works.

[@TS-1267]

... Laughed A lot at Jack Lemon's Characters... You sort of know it's gonna be a Decent Film or show... Greetings From Saturn 🪐

[@JakeBayCity]

Pure class

[@Enochthehammer]

What a great man.

[@mathieunorry]

Love Jack, would love to have met him

[@bencarlson4300]

Obviously, he's great in so many things, but one that almost no one will remember is The Great Race. Not a great film, but extremely fun primarily due to the cast with Lemmon and Peter Falk as the standouts. He gave it his all, and it shows.

[@alexjaybrady]

The tragic emotional heart of Glengarry Glenross, what a piece of work. I must watch his other movies, a superb artist.

[@fitzworld]

What a class act -- Jack Lemmon! Gracious, self-effacing, genial, honest, insightful, unpretentious, fully present in the moment. Not only a great actor but a great human being as well.

[@ramonmcgee2240]

My favorite actor. :)

[@arcanondrum6543]

A very underrated Actor.

[@TurboMintyFresh]

I miss legends like this. Old school heads

[@asfan]

that film is a masterclass from start to finish. Jack is the absolute standout and Alec Baldwins monologue is beyond amazing.

[@simonmcguire4290]

Hats off to 'The Machine' and the whole cast of this movie

[@timgraysontv]

The greatest actor whom have ever lived...

[@R4INTUcanaldeCODiotrosjuegos]

Just watch the movie, oh man i did not expect the last part, what a work was done by this man. What a great fucking job he did, "The Machine" had me rolling with him with so much twists.

[@MakiAf]

Love this man

[@EatMyShortsAU]

He has a great voice for Glen Garry.

[@milesmayhem5440]

“Tribute “ is a very underrated film.

[@Nikkithedog-t6b]

What he didn't say about Glengarry is he was the leading hitter in a lineup that was the greatest of all time.

[@keepgrindingup7661]

He is just totally top tier

[@watchgagootz]

An amazing cast.

[@bitcoingear5292]

Glad to see he turned into a great actor after his failed career as a real estate salesman.

[@sammysouth8372]

what a classy humble gentleman. my dad’s generation had the kids of jack lemmon we hava kanye and minaj.

[@CraigKeene]

If you’ve not seen “The Out of Towners”, make it a priority. Top ten best comedies of all time.

[@pauldavis5459]

Agreed!!! Laughed through that whole movie!!!

[@DixiePokerAce]

Great, great movie.

[@atallguynh]

@5:44 good for him to give props to the writers!

[@rayunited2010foryou]

He was very few of the actors who praise their behind-the-scenes crew.

[@SalamiKing7]

One of the all time greats! Check out Missing from 1982!

[@tatechasers2393]

I love the intro and the out, that's Hollywood

[@scottspencer6899]

The interviewer should have asked him if he can play the theme tune from the movie JFK on the piano as Jack was great in that movie..

[@jameschavez6400]

Dear boy when you have more than two dvd box sets under your name you’ve reached the highest galaxy the universe has you past legend status

[@WesCoastPiano]

What a genius actor

[@williamca7067]

He himself said it best he wants to be known for his body of work … he’s a legend

[@bobvel7760]

1:30. I literally expected him to say “Grace.. GRACE”

[@FreshGrey-pm4vw]

The Out of Towners.....he was hilarious.

[@mexicanpaddy]

Gil from the Simpsons is based on his character in Glengarry.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

I can speak only to a Mrs Nyborg

[@tinderbox218]

We remember you, Jack ❤️

[@JerryMetal]

Damn, TV shows like these used to be much more vulnerable then they are now.

[@stinkyham9050]

"A body of work" God damn if he didn't call that.

[@tonymctony4551]

The leads are weak!

[@mpower2386]

The leads are weak!? You are weak!!

[@sinematographynaction]

Get some BIG BRASS BALLS!