Four Irish actors are among the nominees for the 66th Golden Globes film and television awards, which were announced today.
Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell have both been nominated as best actor in the film (comedy or musical) category for their performances in In Bruges.
In Brugesis also nominated for the best film musical or comedy where it faces tough competition from the smash-hit Mamma Mia!and director Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Byrne is included in the list of nominees for the best actor in a TV drama series award for his role in In Treatment. Jonathan Rhys Meyers has been nominated in the same category for The Tudors.
The Golden Globe Awards, which are given out annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are widely watched for their impact on Hollywood's Oscar race but today’ nominations gave no clear indication of an award season leader.
Benjamin Button,a movie about a man who ages backwards, and Frost/Nixon, which recounts the interviews of digraced US President Richard Nixon by British journalist David Frost, each earned five nominations.They were joined on the list of nominees for best film drama -- the top Golden Globe honour by the dark and moody movies Revolutionary Roadand The Reader. The fifth nominee was the uplifting Slumdog Millionaire, about a young Indian man who competes to win a fortune on a television game show.
Doubtwhich revolves around sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, tied
Benjamin Buttonand
Frost/Nixonwith five nominations but found most of its acclaim in the acting arenas after being shut out of the best film drama race.
Revolutionary Road, The Readerand
Slumdog Millionaireall earned four nominations each.
Among actors, Benjamin Buttonstar Brad Pitt was given a nod in the category for best actor in a film drama along with Frank Langella, who portrays Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon, and Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road. Joining those three were Mickey Rourke as an aging sports star in The Wrestlerand Sean Penn for his role as a gay activist in Milk.
Best dramatic film actress nominees were Angelina Jolie in Changeling, Meryl Streep in Doubt, Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road, Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Marriedand Kristin Scott Thomas in the French film I 've Loved You So Long.
Elsewhere, a best supporting actor nomination went to Heath Ledger, who died this year of an accidental prescription drug overdose, for his turn as the villainous Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight.
The Golden Globe Awards, which will be given out on January 11th in a televised ceremony.
The Oscars, voted upon by some 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will be given out in February.