The two male actors who won Academy Awards as Best Actor in 1970 and 1972 both refused the awards. Who were they, and for which films?

The Academy Awards have seen their share of drama, but few moments are as notable as the two times in three years that the Best Actor winner publicly rejected the honor. The first instance was George C. Scott for his towering performance in 1970's *Patton*. Scott had long been vocal about his disdain for acting competitions, which he famously called a "two-hour meat parade." Believing that actors shouldn't be forced to compete against one another, he sent the Academy a telegram in advance, warning them he would refuse the nomination and any potential win.

An even more famous refusal occurred in 1972 when Marlon Brando won for his iconic role as Vito Corleone in *The Godfather (Review)*. Brando turned the moment into a powerful political protest. Instead of attending the ceremony, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather, an Apache activist and actress, to the stage in his place. She declined the statuette and explained that Brando was protesting the film industry's portrayal of Native Americans and the ongoing federal standoff at Wounded Knee. Her brief speech was met with a mix of boos and applause, creating one of the most controversial and unforgettable moments in Oscar history.