While the question implies a singular individual, historical records indicate that there is no single "only" actor who has refused an Oscar. Instead, George C. Scott and Marlon Brando are the two actors known to have declined the prestigious Academy Award. In addition to these two actors, screenwriter Dudley Nichols also refused his Oscar, making a total of three individuals who have rejected the accolade throughout its history.
Actors Who Refused Their Academy Awards
The decision to refuse an Oscar is rare, given that the Academy Award is widely considered one of the highest honors an actor can receive. However, two prominent actors, George C. Scott and Marlon Brando, famously chose to decline their awards, each for distinct reasons.
George C. Scott (Best Actor, 1971)
George C. Scott won the Best Actor Oscar in 1971 for his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton. Scott had made it clear beforehand that he would refuse the award, calling the Oscars a "meat parade" and describing the ceremony as "a two-hour meat parade." He believed the competitive nature of the awards was demeaning to actors and that art should not be in competition. He was not present at the ceremony, and the executive producer of the film, Frank McCarthy, accepted it on his behalf but returned it the next day as per Scott's wishes.
Marlon Brando (Best Actor, 1973)
Marlon Brando won the Best Actor Oscar in 1973 for his iconic role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Brando's refusal was a powerful political statement. Instead of attending the ceremony, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist and president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, to refuse the award on his behalf. Littlefeather read a statement from Brando protesting Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans in film and television, as well as addressing the 1973 Wounded Knee standoff. This act became one of the most memorable and controversial moments in Oscar history.
Other Refusals
Beyond the acting categories, one other individual has famously refused an Academy Award:
- Dudley Nichols (Best Screenplay, 1936): Nichols was the first person to refuse an Oscar. He won the Best Screenplay award in 1936 for The Informer. Nichols declined the award in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America, of which he was a prominent member, during a strike against the Academy over disputes concerning the unionization of screenwriters. He eventually accepted the award years later, after the dispute was resolved.
Summary of Oscar Refusals
| Category | Recipient | Year | Film / Reason | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Screenplay | Dudley Nichols | 1936 | The Informer / Writers Guild dispute | The first individual to refuse an Oscar; later accepted it. |
| Best Actor | George C. Scott | 1971 | Patton / Disdain for competitive awards | Believed the Oscars were a "meat parade"; refused to attend or accept. |
| Best Actor | Marlon Brando | 1973 | The Godfather / Protest Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans | Sent Sacheen Littlefeather to read a statement declining the award as a political protest. |
These instances highlight a rare but significant part of Oscar history, where individuals chose to prioritize personal principles, political statements, or artistic integrity over accepting one of Hollywood's most coveted accolades.
