Only Father and Daughter Duo to Win in a Leading Role

What is the last name of the only father and daughter duo to have both won Academy Awards for leading roles?

 Here's a trivia question that sounds simple but stops most people cold: What is the last name of the only father and daughter duo to have both won Academy Awards for leading roles?

The answer is Fonda — and the story behind it is one of Hollywood's most emotional moments.

Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda spent five decades as one of America's most beloved actors. He starred in classics like The Grapes of Wrath, 12 Angry Men and Once Upon a Time in the West. Yet despite being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor twice over his career, he never won — until 1982, when he was nominated for On Golden Pond at the age of 76.

By then, Henry was gravely ill. He was too weak to attend the ceremony. So when his name was announced as the winner, it was his daughter Jane Fonda who walked to the stage to accept the award on his behalf.

Jane Fonda

Jane knew what the moment meant. She had already won two Oscars of her own — Best Actress for Klute in 1972 and Coming Home in 1979. Standing at the podium, she said simply: "Oh, Dad, I'm so happy and proud for you."

Henry Fonda died just five months later, in August 1982. He never appeared in another film.

A Record That Stands

The Fondas remain the only father and daughter in Oscar history to have both won Academy Awards for leading roles — a record that has stood for over 40 years and shows no sign of being broken.

Think you know your Hollywood history? Come test yourself at a Quizzards trivia night near you!