oscars_37_Thomas Gomez

In 1947, Thomas Gomez made history as the first Latino to earn an Oscar nomination. The U.S.-born actor of Spanish descent, who was born Sabino Tomas Gomez, received a Best Supporting Actor nod for his portrayal of Pancho, a carousel operator in Ride the Pink Horse, “the wise fool, the peasant with a heart of gold.” In the New Mexico-set film, Gomez speaks broken English through a missing front tooth, runs around barefoot and unshaven, and wears a tattered sombrero. "Thomas Gomez is a big, greasy, tequila-swilling slob, who has one brief glow of nobility," said Universal’s publicity department of the actor’s portrayal of a character that would spark controversy today.

Best Supporting Actor, Ride the Pink Horse, 20th Academy Awards, Nominated

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