It was the first to receive multiple nominations in two acting categories, and the first (and, to date, only) film to receive four female acting nominations—two each for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
None was successful, losing to Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday and Josephine Hull in Harvey, respectively.
Jose Ferrer, then under investigation from the House Un-American Activities Committee over suspected Communist ties, won the Best Actor award despite being given very little chances to win.
[1] Marlene Dietrich nearly stole the show by wearing an apparently-painted-on dress that displayed her legs and figure.
[1] Sunset Boulevard was the fifth film with nominations in every acting category, and the second not to win any of them (after My Man Godfrey in 1936).