How many actors have been nominated for an Oscar and a Razzie for the same performance?
Awards season has typically been the best time of year for Hollywood’s best and brightest, with actors across the globe convening to celebrate their achievements and silently pine for a golden trophy. People will recite their planned and spontaneous speeches, practice their best gracious loser face as the camera zooms in on their barely perceptible disappointment and wear their sparkliest outfits on the red carpet. It’s a night of glory and celebration that is only slightly overshadowed by the number of people in the room battling sexual harassment allegations.
However, while the awards are a time to highlight the things that have been done well, the Oscars contrast beautifully with the self-deprecating and refreshingly humble Razzie awards, in which the worst performances and projects in Hollywood are equally celebrated. While some would consider this to be a damaging and insulting award, many have taken it in jest, joining in on the mockery and mocking their own work.
Whether it be Paul Verhoeven’s infamous win, in which the director turned up in person to collect his award for ‘Worst Picture’ and ‘Worst Director’ or Shelley Duvall’s unfounded win for ‘Worst Actress’ after her performance in The Shining, there have been many controversial moments over the years that have only highlighted our own lack of media literacy skills and dazzling artistic incompetence.
However, what is even more interesting than the clash between both ceremonies is when their paths cross, with some actors being nominated for both a Razzie and Oscar for the same performance.
Overall, there have been four actors who have had one performance that was nominated for both an Oscar and a Razzie award. Famously, Glenn Close was one of those people, who received an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ after her role in Hillbilly Elegy, as well as a Razzie award in the same category.
Amy Irving has also been bestowed with this backwards honour, and she earned an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ after her performance in Yentl while also being awarded a Razzie. However, the film found success in other areas, with Barabara Streisand becoming the first woman to win a Golden Globe award for ‘Best Director’. Finally, James Coco achieved a similar feat through his performance in Only When I Laugh, which earned an Oscar and Razzie nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ after his portrayal of the gay actor.
Did any of them win either?
Out of all of these actors, none of them won any of these awards, with other people scooping up the recognition for both worse and better performances. While some might feel it is better to win something rather than nothing at all, even if it is a counter-productive award, people like Verhoeven prove that it can be a positive experience and bring some much-needed perspective to the lucrative business.
While many people in Hollywood are power-hungry and eager for success, sometimes it helps to see the bigger picture and realise that, in the grand scheme of things, it is an entirely unserious and crazy industry.
