Richard Farnsworth

Richard Farnsworth
Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Stars

Richard Farnsworth
Film: East side of the 1500 block of Vine Street
Actor
Born Sept. 1, 1920 in Los Angeles, CA
Died Oct. 6, 2000 of suicide in Lincoln, NM

Richard Farnsworth was the oldest leading actor to get a Academy Award nomination — for his role in 1999's "The Straight Story."

Farnsworth, a former stuntman, had been involved in film making for more than 60 years and received a special award from the National Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, Texas, for his work.

Farnsworth was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Alvin Straight, an Iowa man who made headlines in 1994 for riding his lawn mower more than 250 miles to see his ailing, estranged brother.

He was beaten out by Kevin Spacey, who won for his portrayal of a suburban father in "American Beauty."

It was the second nomination for Farnsworth, who was nominated for the 1978 film "Comes a Horseman." Henry Fonda had been the oldest leading actor when he was nominated at age 76 for his role in "On Golden Pond," which he won in 1982.

Farnsworth took his own life in 2000, after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

— Associated Press in the Los Angeles Times Oct. 7, 2000

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    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1978 Best Supporting Actor Comes a Horseman Nomination
    1999 Best Actor The Straight Story Nomination

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