Anyone who pays good enough attention to the film industry has probably heard the name Walter Matthau mentioned a few times. The American comedian and actor is revered all over the world for his dazzling performances and his ability to bring humor into the palest situations. Walter was frankly one of the most talented performers to have walked this earth. He excelled on stage, television, and film, ensuring that any project with him in it was bound to be a success. He had over 100 professional acting credits to his name, many of which were highly rated and successful productions. Walter Matthau’s net worth stands as proof of how accomplished he was in his chosen profession.
What Are His Most Famous Works?
The acclaimed actor picked up numerous accolades for his work, including two Tony Awards for Best Actor, an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, as well as several other awards and nominations. Walther built a vast portfolio over his 60-year career, but he is best known for his performances in Odd Couple, Grumpy Old Men, The Fortune Cookie, Charade, The Sunshine Boys, A Shot In the Dark, Charley Varrick, Kotch, and One More Time, with Feeling!.
No one can deny the extent of Walter’s reach or impact in the film industry. He was highly sought after by directors who sometimes even created roles specifically for him. Even when his health began failing, Walter remained committed to doing the work for as long as he could. His final screen performance was coincidentally in the movie Hanging Up, released in 2000 and directed by . Let’s walk you through everything there is to know about Walter Matthau’s net worth and how he came to be in command of his fortune.
Walter Matthau’s Net Worth Since His Role In Grumpy Old Men
Walter Matthau’s net worth did not come about overnight. It took painstaking hard work to move him from rags to riches and make him one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. He was born into a poor Jewish family and had to join the workforce at a very early age in order to fend for himself and contribute to the family’s upkeep.
He soon began picking up small roles here and there to make some extra cash, and discovered that he actually had a knack for performance and drama. Little by little, he made his way through the entertainment industry, the Broadway, and up to the top of the career ladder, earning recognition for his talent. The checks he received from his acting career largely contributed to his wealth as it was his major source of income. At the time of his passing in July 2000, Walther Mathau’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Irrespective of the many projects he has been a part of before Grumpy Old Men, it is believed that a bulk of his wealth came from his role in the 1993 film. It was once that the actor who described himself as a degenerate gambler, related that he made $3 million for playing Max Goldman in the romantic comedy.
The treasured actor and comedian began earning money for himself when he was just a little boy. By the age of 11, he was working at a concession stand in a Yiddish theater located on the Lower East Side of New York. This was where his talent and passion for acting was ignited. While he earned a little more money from playing minor roles, he went on to hold down several other jobs until he landed on Broadway, from where he gained the much-needed exposure and began getting steady work.
As his fame grew, Walter was able to increase his net worth by branching out to other mediums and accepting better-paying gigs that were worth his time and effort. The more stage plays, television series, and films he acted in, the more recognition and robust paychecks that came his way.
Although there is no way to verify for sure how much Walter was paid for his appearances, it is believed that he was one of the highest-paid stars in the business. For an Academy, Golden Globe, and Tony Award winner, Walther no doubt commanded a high price for the roles he took on.
Who Inherited His Wealth?
Walter Matthau’s net worth was valued at $10 million at the time of his death, which is no small sum. He was survived by three children: Jenny and David Matthau, whom he had with his first wife Grace Geraldine Johnson, and then Charlie Matthau, whom he had with Carol Marcus.
All of his children are well-to-do. Jenny serves as the president of the National Gourmet Institute in New York City, David is a news reporter for a radio station, and Charlie is a well-known actor, television and film director. While it is believed that the actor left all his wealth for his family, no one knows if and how he distributed it.
