Weird Academy Awards Fact

 

Brennan with Gary Cooper in 'The Westerner"

Walter Brennan is the only actor ever to have won three Oscars within a five-year period. Best known for playing grumpy old-men characters, Brennan was a great actor who commanded the roles he played and had the ability of stealing a scene even when playing opposite A-list actors.

His career spanned over five decades and included acting in comedies to dramas. From classic oaters like Rio Bravo, and The Westerner, his gravelly voice was easily recognized, and he sometimes acted without has teeth (his were knocked out in a fight). He also had the ability to play different ages of characters - from old men to young types. 

Another first for Brennan is that he was the very first actor to receive a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, which he received in 1937 for his role in Come and Get It. His second Oscar was awarded in 1938 for his role in Kentucy, in which he played an old grouch (which he carried throughout his career). His third Oscar can in 1940 for his role in The Westerner opposite Gary Cooper, where he played a villainous Judge Roy Bean.

Now, back in the day, extras were allowed to vote for Oscar recipients, and Brennan (who worked as an extra and knew many of them) perhaps earned favorite son votes. However, over his long career he is universally regarded as of a one of Hollywood's greatest character actors. And he still remains the only actor to have won three Best Supporting Oscars.

Brennan played a staggering, 230 feature films or TV shows. Several of which were: To Have an have Not, Red River, Bad Day at Black Rock, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Support Your Local Sheriff.

Note: after receiving his third Oscar win, the Academy changed its voting rules and extras were no longer qualified to vote. 

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp.