Jack Lemmon Wins Best Actor: 1974 Oscars

Liza Minnelli and Gregory Peck presenting the Best Actor Oscar® to Jack Lemmon for his performance in "Save the Tiger" - the 46th Annual Academy Awards in 1974.

[@elyanma]

*Pacino:* I was at the Oscars once, for Serpico. That was the second time I was nominated. I was sitting in the third or fourth row with Diane Keaton. Jeff Bridges was there with his girl. No one expected me to come. I was a little high. Somebody had done something to my hair, blew it or something, and I looked like I had a bird’s nest on my head, a real mess. I sat there and tried to look indifferent because I was so nervous. Any time I’m nervous, I try to put on an indifferent or a cold look. At one point, I turned to Jeff Bridges and said, “Hey, looks like there won’t be time to get to the Best Actor awards.” He gave me a stange look. He said, “Oh, really?” I said, “It’s over, the hour is up.” He said, “It’s three hours long.” I thought it was an hour TV show, can you imagine that? And I had to pee-bad. So I popped a valium. Actually, I was eating valium like they were candy. Chewed on them. Finally came the Best Actor. Can you imagine the shape I was in? I couldn’t have made it to the stage. I was praying, “Please don’t let it be me. Please.” And I hear…”Jack Lemmon.” I was just so happy I didn’t have to get up, because I never would have made it.

[@johnosullivancalsmso9462]

What a great story!

[@johnosullivancalsmso9462]

What a fantastic lineup of nominees, and also to be presented the award by Gregory Peck, one of the greatest actors in film history!

[@AryanRaj-hk6zj]

You can see his satisfaction more than his disappointment of not winning 😂

[@josafathsalazar2901]

He looked so out of it in that shot 😂

[@michaelotis223]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CJODell12]

One of the greatest Best Actor lineups in history.

[@SpiritMQ]

I was thinking the same... I mean Brando, Pacino, Redford, Lemmon n Nicholson... Seriously how would you even choose! Back when Hollywood was studded with genuine sparkling stars ☆ n Oscars was a respectable ceremony

[@matteoromenghi]

Stardust!

[@buddyvilla7393]

1983 ceremony for 1982 films Peter O”Toole My Favorite Year,Jack Lemmon for Missing,Dustin Hoffman Tootsie,Paul Newman,The Verdict,Ben Kingsley for GAndhi

[@markmckendry2151]

Who is here after John Mulaney's Governors Awards speech ?

[@CocogoatMain0501]

ME!

[@Hermeneuticar]

me

[@MuVyz]

Lemmon beating out Pacino, Brando, Redford and Nicholson! Wow! Is there a better lineup of nominees ever????

[@CJODell12]

I don't think so. 1973 was probably the best year ever for the Best Actor category.

[@renegaderunner332]

No. 2005 was strong too. Philip Seymour Hoffman won for his astonishing performance in Capote.

[@christianhernanalancamaren1582]

2007: Daniel Day-Lewis, Johnny Deep, Vigo Mortesen, Tommy Lee Jones and George Clooney.

[@drstrangelove6558]

Also 1951 & 1936. Marlon Brando, Arthur Kennedy, Fredric March, Monty Clift, Bogey, Spencer Tracy, William Powell, Walter Huston, Coop and Paul Muni.

[@94dfk1]

2013 is up there for me. Dicaprio, McConaughey, Dern, and Ejiofor in career-best performances. Bale was still good, but it would've been the best of all-time if Tom Hanks got in instead for Captain Phillips.

[@MrThephonypope]

The story of Al Pacino's thought process through all this enhances the experience

[@MisterScones]

Truly one of the best actors who has ever lived.

[@civichoo6017]

Finn Bell, do you know a lot about movies? To answer your question: Well, for one thing, Jack Lemmon was nominated 7 times for the Best Actor category, which by itself is no easy feat; only five actors (Laurence Olivier, Peter O'Toole, Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman, and Jack Nicholson) have more. He also won Best Supporting Actor, making him one of the few actors to have wins in both the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories.

[@drstrangelove6558]

+Immanuel Chioco Spot on. Truly one of the best actors in history. Dont know what that finn bell guy is bragging about.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

JACKSON Stroud --- yes, one of the best actors at memorizing his lines and always was one take. unlike Marilyn Monroe , who could take up to 85 takes.

[@MCO18]

One of the most versatile actors of all time. You can never overrate Jack Lemmon.

[@drstrangelove6558]

+Max Power he is one of the most underrated actors of all time imo!;)

[@CJODell12]

Well said.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

he was a Harvard grad, anyone who is in acting and can graduate from Harvard is going to be successful. or Princeton or "yale".

[@m.e.d.7997]

Too bad he never won for 'Days of Wine and Roses". He was so good as Joe Clay.

[@robertosucci1151]

Agreeed

[@bawoman]

DAMN,Lemon,Pacino,Brando AND Nicholson?They should give them all awards.

[@MA-ge9ph]

Don't forget redford

[@CGlied]

@@MA-ge9ph And handed out by Gregory Peck, who was no slouch himself.

[@AllenMQuinn]

One of my favourite actors of all time. This one was so well deserved. He should have won for Some Like It Hot too.

[@claravizoso372]

or for days of wine and roses, his performance was brilliant

[@AllenMQuinn]

Moonriver and Me Yes, but unfortunately he was nominated against Gregory Peck and there was no way he wasn't going to win.

[@neelabhraroy4238]

Allen M. Quinn He should have lost to Peter O'Toole

[@neelabhraroy4238]

@Corno di Bassetto He got nominated for but sadly lost to Charlton Heston of all people

[@m.e.d.7997]

And "Days of Wine and Roses".

[@paula3599]

The amazing Jack Lemmon. My all time favorite actor. He has been gone a while but never forgotten.

[@jessiewessie1450]

Jack was one of a kind, immensely talented and a wonderful man. He was so grateful for what he got to do and he shone in every film he starred in.

[@m.e.d.7997]

He called acting..."it's magic time".

[@kellie-nd1yp]

My favorite actor

[@rainmakerXuzair]

Pacino in Serpico was a performance of a lifetime. He deserved it imo.

[@bobmcrae5751]

If you want to see the performance of a lifetime, watch Save the Tiger.

[@rainmakerXuzair]

@@bobmcrae5751 You know what? I'm gonna watch Save The Tiger tonight.

[@bobmcrae5751]

@@rainmakerXuzair Good for you. You won't be disappointed.

[@ronaldh8446]

Won't debate that but an argument could also be made for Nicholson in Last Detail. I think Serpico is a better movie but both of those guys did fantastic work that year. That said, I'm a huge Jack Lemmon fan.

[@andiarrohnds5163]

this is exactly why you should not post anything on the internet ever again

[@jaimonjohn2516]

Pacino Brando Nicholson at the same category wow once in a lifetime moment

[@mattbones-nz3pw]

Pacino and Jack also were in same category in 74,75 and 92

[@LPMAN02]

RIP Jack Lemmon (February 8, 1925 - June 27, 2001), aged 76 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@maxximilian90]

A real legend,truly One of the greatest actors of all time

[@LPMAN02]

@max90x Indeed my friend.

[@twilightzone7600]

My all time favorite actors-John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and Jack Lemmon!..may you all rest in perfect peace-unless there is better...

[@marksongbird7534]

Probably my favorite actor, with Paul Newman

[@RSRye]

John Mulaney’s Al Pacino speech brought me here.

[@flyonbyya]

I dare say...The greatest actor of all times ! His shear talents utterly overwhelms those around him

[@scottklepner]

glenn garry is his best. he was the best

[@kellie-nd1yp]

Simpley the best .

[@CJODell12]

Fun fact: Jack became the first actor to win Oscars for both Actor and Supporting Actor.

[@alexandria1791]

I love that move he does once he gets on stage - such a genuine reaction! one of my favorite actors ever.

[@UfoDan100]

In my opinion ,,the best movies came from 1965 to 1975 ,,To me those were magic and golden years for actors and movies !

[@srgbuffalobuffalony7112]

Amen - think of the flicks: Network, Godfather 1 and 2, Rocky, Exorcist, Save the Tiger, even Rosemary's Baby, etc.... on and on... they dont make them the same.

[@kamfrusciante]

***** go a year further for taxi driver.

[@ohwell94]

I agree to a point....once the 80's hit really great movies were few and far between

[@TRINZINI]

Agree. Then came STAR WARS and it all went downhill after that ... (with the occasional outburst of genius from Scorsese, Woody Allen and Tarantino).

[@civichoo6017]

I'd actually extend the range from the 1950s to the 1980s. There were some other very good movies, and other great acting performances, in those decades as well.

[@THEAnnEla]

Jack Lemmon is a legend. He definitely was one of the greatest actors in the history and it is a pleasure to watch any of his films. This Oscar for Save the tiger was so well deserved and his reaction to winning is priceless!

[@kellie-nd1yp]

Nice man too . Yes love his reaction.

[@PaulRietvoorn]

'The winner is: Jack ...' I hope Nicholson didn't have the false belief for 1 second that he won

[@thewhiteheart883]

+Paul Riet he got 3

[@PaulRietvoorn]

+thewhite heart yeah we all know that. I was talking about this particular night

[@drstrangelove6558]

+Paul Riet not my dad;)

[@thomasdelvin3683]

just be glad that Barbra Streisand didn't play around when she had to read the names of John Wayne and John Voight when they were both nominates. Imagine if after she opened the envelope and said, "Well, one of them is named John and they are both cowboys,, one rides a horse and the other rides. well,, the winner is >.

[@jamesmonroe7751]

Don't bring up the Capra Lloyd debacle!

[@carltontaylor6500]

Academy wondering why the views for this clip suddenly spiked in 2024

[@the.artists.studio.london7321]

One of my favourite actors of all time.

[@jimmyl324]

Jack in the last detail was brilliant.

[@fatima1009]

Wow Jack looked so excited to win. That was nice, in addition to actually appreciating his award.

[@civichoo6017]

One of my favorite actors!

[@puppetoniala]

a truly great actor and person with class and character.

[@doctornov7]

Must have been hard for Nicholson he has the same first name as Lemmon haha

[@scifinerd17]

Yonas Campbell It’s no big deal since he won two years later for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

[@filipposaggi4360]

"Save the tiger" great film and Lemmon was a great actor

[@lornaharrington1885]

One of the best actors of that time. Great at comedy snd drama loved him in the apartment. Loved him

[@haven1048]

Pacino being high off his ass the whole time is so fucking funny

[@iheartbillywilder]

jack lemmon is my favorite person of all time-- love, love, love

[@doncorleone7482]

Imagine Brando rejecting two oscars in a row !

[@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853]

He gave the biggest middle finger to Hollywood yet they still nominated him the year later. That's some great acting level

[@rustincohle2135]

@@mysoncrumphaseveryinjury3853 They couldn't deny the performance so they nominated him. But they sure as heck weren't going to vote for him again after the previous year's debacle.

[@AstralPixie]

I just watched "Save the Tiger" and had to come look at this. I don't know what to say, other than he never seems like he's acting, it feels so real. Jack's one of my favorite people.

[@kellie-nd1yp]

That's the thing he never seems to be acting in any role no matter what it is. When I finally saw Save The Tiger I felt like he's good no matter what decade it was.

[@gabelogan5877]

The good old days when actors cared more about their craft and would skip the ceremony in a hot minute.

[@richrome9897]

One of the all time great Actors. Class Act as well.

[@MuppetMollyStarGleek]

Dang, he was up there with INCREDIBLY fellow big names. I had no idea. From his first movie to his last, Jack always gave amazing performances no matter the role, and he was a helluva guy.

[@scottmiller6495]

Jack Lemmon will go down in history as one of the greatest people ever in the acting industry !!!!!

[@OhSankYouDoktor]

Best lineup ever, and Lemmon was genuine class.

[@Comictalent]

such a classy guy

[@smackuhard9515]

my boy forever! love you Jack, pure genius!

[@johnnyangel3683]

He was supposed to do Death Wish but the project fell through until it was resurrected years later for Bronson!

[@43jaygee]

One of those greats that is missed every day. He should have one his first for Days of Wine & Roses but was robbed.

[@superlex611]

Peter o'toole was more robbed then jack lemmon

[@43jaygee]

+alex kanyima I have to assume you meant for"Lawrence of Arabia" and if so, I totally agree. I don't recall who won that year but Peter should have been selected for this incredible film. How about Art Carney winning over Nicholson for "Chinatown" & Pacino for "Godfather ll"?

[@MCO18]

Yeah, but Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird".

[@drstrangelove6558]

+alex kanyima Could not disagree more

[@scifinerd17]

Johnny Collini Gregory Peck won for To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962 was a fiercely competitive year.

[@makeit7579]

Save The Tiger saved my live many times. Thank you.

[@makeit7579]

His reaction to winning the award gives me duck bumps.

[@alvilla9659]

Makeit7579how did save the tiger save your life just curious

[@edkeaton]

I enjoyed Jack Lemmon's performance in "Save the Tiger." I have the movie on DVD as well as the novel which was written by Steve Shagan, who had penned the screenplay. Kudos to director John G. Avildsen, who would later achieve success with films such as "Rocky" (1976), "The Karate Kid" (1984), and "Lean on Me." (1989).

[@moviemonk1000]

"Save the Tiger" a super film and what films the others that were nominated Thanks S Shagan This is why Jack Lemmon is missed so much today

[@robertosucci1151]

One of the finest actors of all time

[@PhantomDawg594]

There's something just so likable about Jack Lemmon.

[@captainh3831]

So nostalgic to see the fine actors of the past who are no longer with us.

[@jamesdrynan]

Jack Lemmon could do drama and comedy equally well. There is no winner with Oscars. Pitting one actor's role against another is a fool's errand. But Lemmon was a winner all around!

[@hairyscotman]

One of my favorites, Jack Lemmon. Seemed like a wonderful fella.... God BLESS you always....

[@jumbalunga]

jack lemmon was a brilliant actor, I admire him so much, his best performances are just amazing.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

This was considered an upset when it happened. A lot of people thought Pacino would win, with a good outside chance being Brando or Nicholson. The thing is, not that many people saw Save the Tiger, and it was a true sleeper. Watching the film some 30+ years later, he was a very deserving winner.

[@jamesmonroe7751]

Avildsen poured his guts into that film. It led the way for the karate kid and Rocky.

[@constancepierce429]

Brando was NOT a frontrunner this year, having won (and refused) the award just the year before. It was thought at the time that either Nicholson or Pacino would win, but no one was counting Lemmon out, as he was well overdue for recognition beyond his supporting win for "Mr. Roberts" (1955).

[@zyrrhos]

@@constancepierce429 I work in the industry and what happens, sometimes the votes are split between the two favorites, which allows for a dark horse to win. It can be surprising to members of the Academy who'll say, "I don't know anyone who voted for him."

[@kellie-nd1yp]

Pacino might have been in time a out so to speak.He complained he should have been nominated in the lead category for Godfather not supporting .They were willing to nominate him but not award him untill much later. I think he boycotted the ceremony that one year too.That said he or Nicholson were probably in second place. I would also think a lot of the older academy memebers voted for Lemmon.They knew him and liked and respected him.His work in Save the Tiger was deserving .

[@diannegazzola1957]

Loved his a ting he was an extraordinary actor he could play a comedy and in a second could turn into the most powerful dramatic role and make it look so effortless. Bravo to one of my all time favorite actors Jack Lemon. RIP.

[@kellyfynn3006]

Pov: you saw that tweet and now you’re here

[@philippeh3904]

Watching Save the tiger and really it shows how brilliant Jack Lemmon was. He was unsettling in the film

[@mateocortesramirez3382]

Al Pacino said he was holding a load of poop in that moment. And when Jack Lemmon won, he was so happy because he thought that if he wins, he couldn’t go to the stage

[@lukeweidner1246]

gives me goosebumps. one of my favorite films of all-time. Jack Lemmon's performance is so stellar it's not even funny

[@goldensonar]

He was one of the best actor ever. Miss him. May God bless his soul.

[@bawoman]

Im glad Lemon won. Even though I think its tough to beat Brando in "Last Tango", he probably wouldnt have appreciated the Oscar the way Lemon did had he gotten it.

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

bawoman Jack lemmons EXPLOSION! when he wins...

[@msdenardin]

I love, love, love, love Jack Lemmon.

[@kellie-nd1yp]

Jack Lemmon 💕 my favorite actor of all time. He was genuinely shocked.

[@andrewzaltman6934]

Mr.Lemmon , your a class act and missed by many

[@gulshabbo]

Jack Lemmon was so handsome in middle age.

[@MM-yi9zn]

Jack Lemmon is/ was a national treasure!

[@guilhermevideira1]

The best lineup of all Academy Awards!

[@LadyDuck106]

Robert Redford for The Sting? I had no idea he was nominated for that. Seemed out of place with the other more stellar performances. Jack Lemmon was a class act and played the hell out of Harry Stoner. Not a great movie but his was a great performance.

[@lynnturman8157]

LadyDuck106 Redford is an underrated actor. Like a lot of great movie actors, he understands the camera and how to play to it. I think the Sting was one of his best performances (along with Three Days of the Condor). The nomination was deserved.

[@scifinerd17]

Paul Newman should’ve been nominated instead

[@Jays_dead_cat]

He was pretty average in The Sting.

[@Wired4Life2]

The Best Picture's gotta have a token Acting nom.

[@Harringtonml54]

If Redford deserved a nomination that year if was for THE WAY WE WERE. But the fifth nominee should have been Steve McQueen for PAPILLON.

[@Danetto]

WOW 5 of the best actors of all time nominated at the same time!

[@marcevan1141]

Brando's performance in "Last Tango in Paris" is beyond brilliant

[@sunnyhill5119]

I love Jack Lemmon's reaction to winning.....way to go.💪😘💯👍

[@psgoswami]

See Lemmon also in Costa Gavras classic "Missing". He is what film acting is all about.

[@ilovetoparty1]

one of the best actors of all time

[@sakurasoh]

I like Jack Lemmon a lot. He was awesome in "Some like it hot". What an amazing actor.

[@guinnesstrail6799]

Save The Tiger is a great film. Lemon was brilliant in it. He deserved the oscar.

[@ilurvepanic]

love jack lemmon

[@richrome9897]

Lemon one of the Greatest Film Actors of all time.

[@unforjguventus]

The best speech ever

[@WishingAngel]

He is handsome man and actor!!!

[@claudiam2474]

save the tiger is such a favorite of mine lol

[@lesterburnham172]

Brando's performance in Last Tango In Paris one of the greatest performance in film history and he deserved 😭

[@unterstrichteo]

such a great personality! my favourite actor clearly!

[@MrCristoforoantonio]

Both Redford and Pacino would have also deserved one for their roles. It must have been a tough choice. The Sting and Serpico were both fantastic movies.

[@ianbauer4703]

All those nominated (including Jack Nicholson in Last Detail) deserved the award for their respective films, but Jack Lemmon in Save the Tiger was brilliant.

[@timgraysontv]

What a great reaction! This is when Hollywood used to be great!

[@fiammatoscana]

i had the biggest crush on jack lemmon when i saw him in "the apartment." my favorite actor. everytime i see his movies, it's "magic time!"

[@makeit7579]

WHEN SAVE THE TIGER , LAST DETAIL , SERPICO , THE STING AND THE LAST TANGO IN PARIS ALL COME ON CABLE AT THE SAME TIME I ALWAY ONLY WATCH SAVE THE TIGER.

[@rolandohalili3764]

what a nominees....but jack lemmon was one of the most intense actor ever....he deserved this..

[@kohatenclave]

he deserved a standing ovation by everyone.

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

MISS JACK LEMMON DEARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertosucci1151]

Jack lemmon should have won for the Apartment

[@arturoaguilar_]

And nobody remembers "Save the Tiger". "Serpico", on the other hand... Al Pacino's performance was superb. He should've won that year!

[@arturoaguilar_]

@Qwerty123 I did, that's why I can comment.

[@samuel1624]

He truly the best actor that year, anyone who sees all these films knows I’m right. Tour de force

[@renegaderunner332]

Strong year for best actor! Al Pacino should have won.

[@Syndel89]

Señor Lemmon, necesitamos más actores como usted :(

[@johnjarou2357]

Jack Lemmon. My favorite actor, all time!!

[@The22on]

Is there anyone who doesn't like Jack Lemmon? He just seems like such a genuine guy - unassuming, good at his work, and someone you'd like to have as a friend.

[@drstrangelove6558]

actually all this actors nominated this year has already won an Oscar! Mr. Lemmon for mister roberts and save the tiger, Pacino for Scent of a Women, Nicholson for One flew over the cuckos nest, Terms of enderment and as good as it gets, Brando for on the waterfront and the godfather and Robert Redford for ordany people that was in best directing

[@Harringtonml54]

Nicholson and Pacino had not already won an Oscar at this time. Redford never won an acting Oscar and won best director 7 years after this ceremony.

[@davidedward2352]

Just watched The Out of Towners again..... Such a brilliant actor.

[@clairemcnutt534]

his reaction is priceless

[@dinasztie]

My favourite actor of all time! A marvellous, gracious person, a well-deserved Oscar. There are tears in both my and his eyes.

[@billmendozawissman1135]

Is a awesome actor