Barry Fitzgerald was an Irish stage, film, and television actor.
He attended Skerry's College in Dublin, Ireland.
He joined Dublin's world-famous Abbey Players as a supernumerary. His first speaking role was in a 1915 production; his only line was "'Tis meet it should," which emerged as "'Tis sheet it mould." A gust of laughter emanated from the audience, and Fitzgerald became a comedian then and there (at least, that was his story).
He worked in the civil service as a junior executive at the Unemployment Insurance Division .
By 1929 he had turned to acting full-time.
The slight, small Fitzgerald was frequently cast alongside huge hulks like
John Wayne or Victor McLaglen, making for a good sight gag as he behaved fearlessly.
Fitzgerald went to Hollywood to star in “The Plough and the Stars” (1936), directed by
John Ford.
One of the very few character actors ever to achieve star status.
the only player ever nominated for the Academy Award for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in the same year for the same role. The recognition was for “Going My Way” (1944).
Broke the head off his 'Best Supporting Actor' Oscar practicing his golf swing.
Despite his penchant for portraying priests, Fitzgerald was a Protestant (and a nationalist), whose brother Arthur Shields was a republican during the upheaval of the early 20th century in Ireland.
His last film role was as a 110-year-old poacher in the Irish-filmed “Broth of A Boy” (1959).
He returned to live in Dublin in 1959.
He died of heart failure and is interred at Deansgrange Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.
Submit Interesting Facts
