Jack Lemmon: Michael Freedland

Jck Lemmon was one of Hollywood's greatest stars, not only loved by fans but also by the many actors and directors he worked with over an exceptionally long career. Born into a prosperous Boston family, Jack went from Harvard and wartime service in the US Navy to the hand-to-mouth existence of the struggling young actor. He would accept no handouts. He preferred the stage, but accepted work in American television, still in its pioneering days and then Hollywood. He thrived on hard work, acquiring his first Oscar long before most actors are even noticed. Many of his early films, such as The Apartment,Some Like It Hot and the classic Mr Roberts with veterans James Cagney, Henry Fonda and William Powell have become legendary comedy. Yet he made successes of many dramatic, challenging roles and he was known as the least demanding and most unassuming Hollywood star.