10 Actors Who Took YEARS To Reprise Famous Roles
3. Jack Lemmon And Walter Matthau As Felix And Oscar
Years to Reprise Role: 30
Based on the play, The Odd Couple came out in 1968, and was a critical and financial success. Jack Lemmon played Felix, a neurotic clean-freak who is deeply depressed after he and his wife split up. Walter Matthau played Oscar, the wealthy and slobish friend to Felix. They end up living together and driving each other crazy as they navigate their friendship.
A TV series inspired by the film aired from 1970-1975, but it wasn't until 30 years later that Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau reprised their roles. In 1998's The Odd Couple II came out. The story follows the two as old friends, who haven't seen each other in 17 years. Oscar's son is marrying Felix's daughter, so the two reunite and end up road tripping to the wedding.
Only grossing 18 million, the film was seen as a box office failure, particularly when compared to the Grumpy Old Men series which both actors also stared in.