Irish Oscar Winners – From Cedric Gibbons to Cillian Murphy
Know about the history of Irish Oscar Winners!!
The 96th Academy Awards is upon us, and this year could be a landmark moment for Irish cinema. With Cillian Murphy leading the Best Actor race for his role in Oppenheimer, Irish eyes are firmly set on the coveted golden statue.
(Also read 115 Unaccompanied Children Seek Protection in Ireland.)
But Ireland’s Oscar success story stretches far beyond this year’s nominations. From the very design of the iconic award itself to a string of acting, writing, and filmmaking triumphs, Irish talent has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood’s biggest night.
A History of Irish Oscar Winners
The Man Behind the Statue: Cedric Gibbons
Dublin-born Cedric Gibbons holds a unique place in Oscar history. Not only is he Ireland’s one of the most decorated Irish oscar winners with a record-breaking 11 awards for art direction, but he’s also the man who designed the famous Oscar statuette itself!
From Playwright to Screenwriter: George Bernard Shaw
Literary giant George Bernard Shaw became one of the first people to achieve the coveted double of a Nobel Prize and an Oscar. After transforming his own play, Pygmalion, for the big screen, he was awarded the 1939 Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay.
Double Nominee, Single Win: Barry Fitzgerald
Barry Fitzgerald, who was born in Portobello, became famous when he won nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in 1944 for the same part in the movie Going My Way. He ultimately triumphed in the supporting actor category.
Paving the Way for Women: Michele Burke
Kildare native Michele Burke made history by being the first Irish woman to win an Oscar for her outstanding makeup artistry. She received two Academy Awards during her career, one each for Dracula by Bram Stoker and Quest for Fire.
A Double Act: Josie McAvin and Daniel Day-Lewis
Josie McAvin of Dublin is the only Irish individual to win an Emmy for set decoration and an Oscar for the same category on television. Daniel Day-Lewis, the esteemed actor who holds Irish citizenship, is the sole three-time Best Actor winner, recognized for his captivating performances in My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln.
Interestingly, his My Left Foot co-star, Brenda Fricker, also secured a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the film.
From Novels to Scripts: Neil Jordan
Sligo-born Neil Jordan is a celebrated filmmaker who brought home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his powerful 1993 drama, The Crying Game.
Animated Accolades: Tyron Montgomery
While raised in Ireland, Tyron Montgomery, now a German citizen, secured the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1997 for his student project, Quest.
A Family Affair: Terry and Oorlagh George
A heartwarming story emerged from the 2011 ceremony when father-daughter duo Terry and Oorlagh George won the Best Live Action Short Film award for their poignant film The Shore.
Musical Magic: Glen Hansard
Glen Hansard, the frontman of The Frames, and Marketa Irglova collaborated on the now-iconic song “Falling Slowly” from the movie Once. The track went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song, nearly missing out due to eligibility concerns.
Visual Effects Virtuosity: Richard Baneham
Dublin native Richard Baneham’s groundbreaking visual effects work earned him two Oscars – for James Cameron’s Avatar and its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water.
From Belfast to Hollywood: Kenneth Branagh
Belfast-born Kenneth Branagh’s 2021 autobiographical drama Belfast earned him the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He holds the record for most Oscar nominations (eight) for an Irish person, across various categories.
The Latest Chapter: Ross White
Ross White, who co-directed the touching short film An Irish Goodbye with Tom Berkeley, is the most recent Irish Oscar winner. The film, set in rural Northern Ireland, stars James Martin, the first actor with Down’s syndrome to be featured in an Oscar-winning film.
This glimpse into Irish Oscar winners reveals a rich tapestry of talent, from the earliest days of cinema to the present. As Cillian Murphy and other Irish nominees vie for glory this year, one thing is certain: the Emerald Isle’s Oscar legacy continues to shine brightly.
