Heading into the 81st Golden Globe Awards, legendary performer Harrison Ford is eligible for two different small screen prizes – Best TV Drama Actor and Best TV Supporting Actor – thanks to his respective turns on the inaugural seasons of “1923” and “Shrinking.” These possible dual bids would come 22 years after he was named the 48th recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille career achievement award and make him a proper Golden Globe competitor for the first time since 1996. Given the fact that 33 other DeMille awardees will have preceded him in subsequently landing regular nominations, it only makes sense to analyze those instances to determine just how great his chances of victory at the 2024 ceremony really are.
Until “1923” premiered on Paramount Plus last December, the 81-year-old Ford had never appeared in a regular capacity on a TV program of any kind. Within six weeks, however, he was officially a multi-series star showcasing his range as both an early 20th century Montana rancher and a humorously grumpy therapist practicing in modern day Pasadena. According to Gold Derby’s current Golden Globe odds, he is significantly more likely to be recognized for his latter performance on Apple TV Plus’ “Shrinking,” but it’s also well worth noting that, among all of this year’s acting hopefuls, he clearly stands the best chance of being included in multiple TV lineups.
Over the course of seven decades, 30% of Golden Globe-nominated former DeMille honorees have managed to succeed on their initial post-honorary outings. This includes Cecil B. DeMille himself, whose 1952 receipt of his namesake prize was followed one year later by a directing win for “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Ford would be the third member of this subset to be lauded for a TV performance, after James Stewart (drama actor, “Hawkins,” 1974) and Al Pacino (TV movie/limited series actor, “Angels in America,” 2004).
The larger group of those whose immediate post-DeMille TV bids didn’t work out consists of Kirk Douglas (“Amos,” 1986), Sidney Poitier (“Separate But Equal,” 1992), Jack Lemmon (“A Life in the Theatre,” 1994), Anthony Quinn (“Gotti,” 1997), Shirley MacLaine (“Hell on Heels,” 2003), Robert De Niro (“The Wizard of Lies,” 2018) and Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man,” 2023). Since all but Bridges earned their notices for limited programs, Ford (if nominated) can be said to have a 50/50 shot at emulating Stewart by winning for a continuing series. Of course, if he ends up in two categories, his chances will be greater.
Ford is on the verge of making history as the first DeMille Award winner to ever compete for two separate TV Golden Globes at once, either before or after receiving the special trophy. Technically, 1991 DeMille honoree Lemmon did pick up two TV bids in 2000 for “Inherit the Wind” and “Tuesdays with Morrie,” but both came in the same category (Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor). Counting theatrical films, the only cases of post-DeMille double nominations have involved Clint Eastwood (2005, “Million Dollar Baby,” directing and writing; 2008, “Grace Is Gone,” score and song) and Steven Spielberg (2023, “The Fabelmans,” directing and writing).
Including Lemmon, seven of the 11 people (and five of the six men) who have generally competed as dual TV Golden Globe nominees have emerged from those situations as champions. If Ford becomes the 12th entrant on the base list, he will follow Nancy Walker (1976, TV supporting actress, “McMillan & Wife” and “Rhoda”) as only the second performer to simultaneously achieve Golden Globe recognition for two continuing series and will be the first person to score same-year TV bids as both a supporting player and a dramatic lead.
In addition to his DeMille honor, Ford’s Golden Globes resume includes four unsuccessful film acting bids for the dramas “Witness” (1986), “The Mosquito Coast” (1987) and “The Fugitive” (1994) and the comedy “Sabrina” (1996). Naturally, his present winning potential is bolstered by the fact that he has never triumphed competitively, and that, along with said records he is aiming to break, could be enough for him to finally come out on top.
PREDICT the 2024 Golden Globe nominations through December 11
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