Jack Lemmon, the magnificent actor with two Oscars and seven Academy Award nominations to his name, made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson to talk about his toughest acting experiences. Johnny Carson introduced him as a good friend and they delved into Lemmon’s extensive career, which includes starring in three dozen films.
Carson wasted no time in asking Lemmon about his worst picture. Lemmon humbly admitted that even he had made some less than stellar movies throughout his career. He revealed that one of his lowest grossing films was “Love Lu V,” which quickly disappeared from theaters, much to his chagrin. Another film that received negative reviews was “Alex and the Gypsy,” which Lemmon’s agent, mother, and aunt also deemed as subpar. However, Lemmon reassured Carson that there were still good moments in these movies, despite their overall reception.
The conversation then turned to Lemmon’s performance in “Days of Wine and Roses,” where he played an alcoholic alongside Lee Remick. Carson specifically brought up a scene in a greenhouse where Lemmon’s character, fallen off the wagon, reveals his hidden bottle of whiskey. Lemmon candidly shared that this scene was the worst experience he had ever had as an actor. The physically demanding nature of the scene, coupled with the pressure to deliver a compelling performance, left him completely exhausted. However, Lemmon expressed his satisfaction with the end result and the positive response from the cast and crew.
Carson mentioned the tendency of actors to critique their own performances when watching themselves on television. Lemmon admitted that he would occasionally watch his older films if he stumbled upon them while flipping through channels. However, as time goes on, he finds himself focusing more on the mistakes rather than the successes. Lemmon humorously shared that he tends to criticize his line deliveries and other aspects of his acting, demonstrating the perfectionist nature that many actors possess.
Switching gears, Carson brought up Lemmon’s experience filming “Airport ’77” underwater. Lemmon described the fascination of working with frogmen, who he admired for their fearlessness and death-defying stunts. The actors were taught how to scuba dive for the film, and Lemmon appreciated the opportunity to learn new skills. He recounted a harrowing incident where he discovered that his tanks were empty while diving deep underwater. Despite the momentary panic, Lemmon managed to ascend safely, realizing the importance of utilizing one’s lungs to their full capacity.
The conversation concluded with Carson asking Lemmon if he was superstitious on set. Lemmon revealed a fun quirk that his wife, Felicia, started, which involved him finding a marble in his pockets or briefcase on their wedding day. Although he couldn’t recall the origin of this tradition, Lemmon considered it a good luck charm. The interview ended on a lighthearted note as Lemmon and Carson shared a few laughs.
Jack Lemmon‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson provided viewers with insights into the ups and downs of his illustrious career. From discussing his worst films to sharing anecdotes of challenging moments on set, Lemmon showcased his talent and humility. The interview served as a reminder that even the most accomplished actors are not immune to making mistakes and facing obstacles in their craft.
Originally aired on March 18, 1982
