American actor and film star Walter Matthau (1920 – 2000), perhaps best known for his role as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, served as a B-24 Liberator radioman-gunner in the US Eighth Army Air Force 453rd Bombardment Group, stationed at Old Buckenham during World War Two, where he reached the rank of sergeant. Actor James Stewart was also stationed at this base.
After becoming interested in acting, Matthau trained at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York. Other alumni include Marlon Brando, Elaine Stritch, Harry Belafonte and Tennessee Williams.
Norfolk's American Connections 