Robert De Niro would join stellar group of stars with two Best Supporting Actor Oscars

Jacob Sarkisian
·4 min read
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Robert Downey Jr. looks to have Best Supporting Actor locked up after he swept the precursors for his sterling turn in Christopher Nolan‘s “Oppenheimer.” But while Downey Jr. would be more than a deserving winner for his phenomenal performance, the Oscars always throws up a surprise or two on the actual night. Could we see an upset in Best Supporting Actor?

Downey Jr. is nominated alongside Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”), Mark Ruffalo (“Poor Things”), Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”), and Robert De Niro (“Killers of the Flower Moon”). Gosling has lots of support for his sublime “Barbie” performance while Ruffalo and Brown also have their backers, too. However, the legendary De Niro could prove to be the closest challenger to Downey Jr. thanks to his iconic career and status.

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This is De Niro’s ninth Oscar nomination. He’s been nominated for Best Actor five times — in 1977 for “Taxi Driver,” in 1979 for “The Deer Hunter,” in 1981 for “Raging Bull,” in 1991 for “Awakenings,” and in 1992 for “Cape Fear.” He also picked up Best Supporting Actor bids in 1975 for “The Godfather Part II” and in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook.” He was also nominated for Best Picture for “The Irishman.” He won two of those bids — Best Actor for “Raging Bull” and Best Supporting Actor for “The Godfather Part II.”

If he were to win here for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” this would be his third Oscar overall and his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This would put him level with seven other actors. Only one man has won more. That was Walter Brennan, who won three Best Supporting Actor Oscars: for “Come and Get It” in 1937, “Kentucky” in 1939, and “The Westerner” in 1941. Here’s the rundown of the seven men De Niro could match if he wins the Oscar this year.

  • Anthony Quinn — “Viva Zapata!” in 1953 and “Lust for Life” in 1957.

  • Peter Ustinov — “Spartacus” in 1961 and “Topkapi” in 1965.

  • Melvyn Douglas — “Hud” in 1964 and “Being There” in 1980.

  • Jason Robards — “All the President’s Men” in 1977 and “Julia” in 1978.

  • Michael Caine — “Hannah and Her Sisters” in 1987 and “The Cider House Rules” in 2000.

  • Christoph Waltz — “Inglourious Basterds” in 2010 and “Django Unchained” in 2013.

  • Mahershala Ali — “Moonlight” in 2017 and “Green Book” in 2019.

De Niro’s name joining these fellows would suit a performer of his status and stature. But that’s not the only club he’d join if he were to win this year. He’d also become the seventh performer to win three acting Oscars overall. Katharine Hepburn holds the record with four wins but De Niro would match the likes of Meryl Streep, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Jack Nicholson.

However, that is a very big if. Because Downey Jr. has been the clear favorite this entire awards season. He’s won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, BAFTA, and SAG for his turn in “Oppenheimer.” If De Niro were to win, it would be a massive shock. It would also be “Killers of the Flower Moon’s” only Oscar victory as we are expecting that 10-time nominee to go home empty-handed. So, for now, it looks like De Niro won’t be joining these lists. He’ll have to wait for another year. But since De Niro continues to prove he is still one of the best actors around, he’ll likely get another opportunity.

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