Hal Moore’s name wasn’t even on the ballot of the 1935 Oscars. For reasons that not even a bit of casual Googling revealed, the pioneering cinematographer—he shot The Jazz Singer—managed to get enough voters of to actually write in his name and propel him to victory over some undoubtedly perturbed peers. The Academy barred write-in campaigns a few years later. He won again — this time, appearing on a ballot — for 1943’s The Phantom of the Opera. Mohr certainly had one of the longest careers in Hollywood: he shot his first film in 1912, his last in 1968.
17 Unusual Oscar Records
From a seven-hour-plus Russian film to a family with more than 80 nomination between them, TIME takes a look at some unusual Oscar records
First (and only) Person to Win as a Write-In
Full List
Weird Oscar Records
- Most Nominations without a Win: 11
- Most Career Nominations without a Win: 20
- Most Awards, Career: 22
- First (and only) Person to Win Oscars for Writing, Directing, and Best Picture in a Single Year
- First (and only) Person to Win as a Write-In
- Most Oscar Nominations for a Family: 86 (so far)
- Shortest Performance to Win an Acting Award: 5 Minutes and 40 Seconds
- Longest Film (Running Time) to Win an Award: 431 Minutes
- Country with Most ‘Best Foreign-Language Film’ Nominations: France (36)