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Barry Fitzgerald

Author

David Osborn

Updated on March 12, 2026

Birth Name: William Joseph Shields

Date of Birth: 10 March, 1888

Place of Birth: Dublin, Ireland

Date of Death: 14 January, 1961

Place of Death: Dublin, Ireland

Ethnicity:
*Irish (father)
*German (mother)

Barry Fitzgerald was an Irish actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Going My Way (1944). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the same role, before rules were changed to prevent such.

Barry was the son of Fanny Sophia (Ungerland) and Adolphus William Shields. His brother was actor Arthur Shields.

Barry’s paternal grandfather was named Joseph Augustus Shields (the son of Edward Shields).

Barry’s paternal grandmother was named Mary Anne Orr (the daughter of William Orr and Jane). Mary Anne was born in Dublin.

Barry’s maternal grandfather was named Carl Ungerland.

Source: Genealogy of Barry Fitzgerald –