InOscarshistory, Barry Fitzgerald holds the record of being the only actor to ever receive two separate award nominations for the same performance and win one. The Irish actor, whose prolific career in Hollywood lasted from the 1920s to the end of the 1950s, worked with the likes of movie legends John Wayne, John Ford, Cary Grant, and more. But rather than just being a part of their cinematic accomplishments, Fitzgerald succeeded in landing some important achievements of his own in the industry.
In the early stages of his career, Barry Fitzgerald was an unlikely contender to set any Oscar records. He started off as a stage actor in Ireland and didn’t receive his break in Hollywood until 1936, when he appeared in John Ford’sThe Plough and the Stars, at the age of 48. But just eight years after his appearance in the John Ford movie, Fitzgerald was chosen by director, Leo McCarey, to star in a 1944 comedy musical.Fitzgerald’s movie performance led to him receiving two Oscar nominations in the same year for the same role,a record that has remained for 79 years.
Barry Fitzgerald Was Nominated For The Best Actor & Best Supporting Actor Oscars In 1945
He Won Best Supporting Actor For His Role As Father Fitzgibbon In Going My Way
Barry Fitzgerald, starred in the 1944 musical drama,Going My Way,playing the role of Father Fitzgibbon, the elderly pastor of St. Dominic’s Church in New York. His peaceful and traditional leadership is threatened by the arrival of Father Charles “Chuck” O’Malley, portrayed by Bing Crosby, who is younger and more carefree in his approach to religious service. The two immediately clash, but gradually come to understand each other and put aside their differences to help better the church. The movie includes a soundtrack consisting of both classic and original songs, such as “Ave Maria” and “Swinging On a Star”.
Frank Butler and Frank Cavett
Best Cinematography - Black and White
Nominated
Best Song
“Swinging On a Star” - Jimmy Van Heusen (Music), Johnny Burke (Lyrics)
Won
Going My Waywas praised for its story and chemistry between the lead characters; it has since been regarded as one of Bing Crosby’s best movies (viaGold Derby). The movie received 10 Oscar nominations in 1945 and won seven, including Best Picture. Two nominations were for Barry Fitzgerald’s performance as Father Fitzgibbons;Fitzgerald received nominations for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, the only time that any actor received multiple Oscar nominations for the same performance. While his co-star, Bing Crosby, won Best Actor for his role as Father O’Malley, Fitzgerald was successful at winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Barry Fitzgerald accidentally broke his Oscar statuette while practicing a golf swing. The Academy later sent him a replacement.
In the early years, there was a lack of set rules relating to the Academy’s nomination system. Paramount, the studio that producedGoing My Way,wanted to ensure that both Crosby and Fitzgerald stood a chance at winning Oscars.The studio was uncertain whether to put Fitzgerald forward for either Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor, as he shared a significant amount of screen time with Bing Crosby.Paramount eventually decided to put him forward for both Oscars, which ensured both Fitzgerald and Cosby won awards (viaCollider).
Barry Fitzgerald’s Dual Oscar Nominations For Going My Way Led To A Rule Change
The Rules Were Changed To Allow Only One Nomination Per Performance
Barry Fitzgerald’s Oscar-winning performance inGoing My Waysolidified him as a Hollywood actor. He went on to have further success in movies, includingAnd Then There Were None(1945),Welcome Stranger(1947), which reunited him with Bing Crosby, andThe Quiet Man(1952), which is consideredone of John Ford’s best movies. While Fitzgerald received high praise for his performance as Father Fitzgibbon inGoing My Way,his dual nominations in 1945 led to significant controversy for the Academy.
10 Movies That Forced The Oscars To Change Their Rules
Across the history of the Oscars, there have been several movies that have forced the Academy to change their rules regarding their prestigious award.
After the unfairness of dual nominations for the same performance was highlighted,the Academy announced a rule change the following year, that stipulated that actors would only be allowed to receive one Oscar nomination per performance. The Academy released a statement that if an actor received enough votes for both acting categories, they would only be nominated in the category where they received"the greater percentage of the total votes"(viaSlashFilm). While several actors have received both leading and supporting nominations in the same year for different roles, since 1945, no other actor has received dual nominations for the same role at theOscars.
Sources:Gold Derby,Collider,SlashFilm
Oscars
The Oscars, also known as The Academy Awards, is an annual awards show celebrating workers in the film industry for their artistic and technical abilities. The Oscars are often considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry and date back to 1929. The 96th Academy Awards will be held on August 14, 2025, and be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.
