- Perhaps the most recognizable of the Oscar* nominees from Indiana,
composer Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana. He started
studying music at the age of 8, and composed his first song, "Song of
the Birds," at the age of 10. A graduate of Yale University, Porter
wrote fight songs during his college days and published his first song
in 1910. He married Linda Thomas in 1919, a marriage commonly known to
be "professional" as Porter was well known to be gay. The Porters
eventually moved traveled throughout Europe, and Porter began his
Broadway career in the 1920's. Cole Porter was nominated for four
Oscars* between 1937 and 1957, and won a Grammy for Best Soundtrack
Album in 1961 for "Can-Can." It was in 1937 that Porter's life changed
forever following a horse-riding accident that severely crushed his
legs. Hospitalized for two years, Porter endured over 30 operations
over the next 20 years. In 1958, his right leg was amputated. Porter
spiraled downward rapidly, Porter died in 1964 of kidney failure.
- Composer of the world's most recorded song, "Stardust,"
Bloomington, Indiana native Hoagy Carmichael received
two Oscar* nominations for Original Song, winning one Oscar* for the
1951 film "Here Comes the Groom." A graduate of Indiana University,
Carmichael also holds the record for longest song title and, as a fun
bit of trivia, Judy Garland is actually named after one of his songs.
Carmichael died in 1981 of a heart attack and is buried in
Bloomington, Indiana.
- Not everyone realizes that James Dean did, in fact,
receive, not one but TWO, posthumous Oscar* nominations for Best
Actor for his performances in "East of Eden" and "Giant." These were
the Academy's first posthumous nominations. Additionally, Dean
received two BAFTA nominations (one was for his other film, "Rebel
Without a Cause") and won two Golden Globes. Dean, from Marion and
raised in Fairmount, died at the young age of 24 in an auto crash. A
graduate of Fairmount High School, Dean participated on the speech
team and was active in drama. While it is true that Dean only had
three films to his credit when he died, it is important to note that
Dean did have quite a few television appearances!
- Indianapolis native James Baskett broke racial barriers in
the Oscars* by becoming the first African-American male to receive an
Oscar* in 1947 for his role as "Uncle Remus" in Disney's "Song of the
South." This "Special Oscar*" was received, sadly, just prior to
Baskett's death at the age of 44 in 1948.
- In the very first Oscar* ceremony for 1927-28, Evansville native
Louise Dresser received a Best Actress nomination for her
performance in "A Ship Comes In," but lost the award to Janet Gaynor.
She would never again receive such recognition, and she made her last
film in 1937, "Maid of Salem."
- Film-maker Howard Hawks was born in Amish country, Goshen,
Indiana. Hawks received an Oscar* nomination in 1941 for "Sergeant
York" in the category of Best Director. He received an honorary Oscar*
in 1975, and continued making films until 1970. His box-office success
was practically unrivaled during his 50's and 60's heyday, and he was
one of the earliest directors to frequently have his name put in front
of a film. Even the great John Ford acknowledged that Hawks, not Ford,
should have won the 1941 Oscar*.
- Marjorie Main, most widely known as "Ma" from the "Ma and
Pa Kettle" films, received an Oscar* nomination in 1947 for "The Egg
and I" in the category of Best Supporting Actress. Main, from Acton,
remained loyal and active in the Hoosier state throughout her career
and her estate continues to sponsor a statewide acting prize.
- Born in Chicago and raised in Gary, *Oscar-winning actor Karl
Malden actually worked in Gary's steel mills for over two years
before heading to Chicago's Goodman Theatre to study acting. Malden
won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar* for "A Streetcar Named Desire," and
received a nomination for "On the Waterfront." He also received five
Emmy nominations, with one win.
- Steve McQueen was born and raised in Beech Grove, Indiana
and was nominated for Best Actor in 1967 for the film "The Sand
Pebbles" (directed by another Hoosier, Robert Wise). One of America's
most popular actors until his death due to lung cancer in 1980 at the
age of 50, McQueen also received four Golden Globe nominations and one
two "Henrietta Awards" recognizing the World's Favorite Male Film
Star.
- Director Sydney Pollack, born in Lafayette, has received
three Oscar* nominations ("They Shoot Horses, Don't They?", "Tootsie"
and "Out of Africa") with one win ("Out of Africa"). Pollack may be
looking at other nomination this year for his outstanding first
documentary, "Sketches of Frank Gehry."
- Actor Greg Kinnear, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for
his role in "As Good As It Gets," was born and raised in Logansport,
Indiana. His 2006 films include the upcoming "Little Miss Sunshine"
and "Fast Food Nation."
- Actor Kevin Kline is actually from St. Louis, but graduated
from Indiana University with a BA in Theatre. Kline won a Best Actor
Oscar* for "A Fish Called Wanda" in 1988, and has also won two Tony
awards. Kline has continued to be supportive of Indiana University,
and has spoken to acting classes (including my own) when time permits.
- Costume designer Gloria Gresham, from Indianapolis,
received an Oscar* nomination for the Barry Levinson film, "Avalon" in
1990.
There are numerous other actors, actresses, writers, directors,
composers and production associates from Indiana who have been
recognized over the year with Oscar* nominations and wins. Indiana
always has, and continues to, play a vital part in modern cinema. Far
from being devoid of the kind of talent it takes to make it in
Hollywood, Indiana has supplied Hollywood with many of its finest.
Hmmmm. I guess there's more than corn in Indiana, after all.
*Oscar is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences. |
