Robert Downey Jr. Could Become Rare Same Year Oscar-Emmy Winner

Earlier this year, Robert Downey Jr. took home the Supporting Actor Oscar for “Oppenheimer," marking his very first Oscar win.

He also won supporting awards at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Film Awards.

Recently, Robert Downey Jr. landed an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a limited series for HBO’s “The Sympathizer," meaning he could become one of the rare stars to take home both an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Helen Hunt and Helen Mirren are the only ones to win both an Emmy and an Oscar in the same year. Plus, Bob Fosse is the only director to win an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy in the same year, which was 1973.

Robert Downey Jr. is competing for the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Emmy against Jonathan Bailey ("Fellow Travelers," Showtime), Tom Goodman-Hill ("Baby Reindeer," Netflix), John Hawkes ("True Detective: Night Country," HBO/Max), Lamorne Morris ("Fargo," FX), Lewis Pullman ("Lessons in Chemistry," Apple TV+), and Treat Williams ("Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," FX).

The last time RDJ was nominated for an Emmy was in 2001 for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series.

At the 96th Academy Awards, Robert Downey Jr. won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Oppenheimer."

"I'd like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order," he said during his acceptance speech. "I'd like to thank my veterinarian — I mean wife, Susan Downey — over there. She found me a snarling rescue pet, and you loved me back to life. That's why I'm here. Thank you."

The actor later admitted that he "needed this job more than it needed" him. "It was fantastic, and I stand here before you a better man because of it. What we do is meaningful, and the stuff we decide to make is important," he added.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph could also become an Oscar-Emmy winner this year as she took home the Oscar for best supporting actress thanks to “The Holdovers,” and is now nominated for guest actress in a comedy series thanks to her performance on Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building."

“I didn’t think I was supposed to be doing this as a career,” Randolph said shortly after her name was called at the 2024 Oscars “I thank my mother for doing that. I thank all the people who have been there for me, ushered me, and guided me.”

“I always wanted to be different, but now I realize that I just need to be myself,” she added. “Thank you for seeing me.”

While many of the Emmy nominations were expected, including "Baby Reindeer," "The Crown," and "The Morning Show," others didn't land any recognition, leaving fans shocked.

"The Curse" starring Emma Stone, "The Regime" starring Kate Winslet, and "Expats" starring Nicole Kidman were among some of those who didn't receive any nominations.

In the realm of reality TV, "So You Think You Can Dance" did not receive a nomination for outstanding choreography. However, as reported by People Magazine, two former contestants from the show were recognized in that category: Kiki Nyemchek for the "Dick Van Dyke" special and Jenna Johnson for "Dancing with the Stars."

In addition to possibly joining the few actors who earned an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year, RDJ is also making his Broadway debut in an upcoming drama titled "McNeal." Deadline reports the official synopsis as:

“Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence. Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar’s new play is a startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity – and increasing inhumanity – of the stories we tell.”

The show, created by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar, features Downey as Jacob McNeal, described in the announcement as "a great writer, one of our greatest, and a perennial candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature."

The character also has an estranged son, a new novel, unresolved grievances, and an unhealthy obsession with Artificial Intelligence.

The 76th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Sunday, September 15, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on ABC.