'Thanks, But No Thanks': Oscar winners who turned down their awards

The Academy Awards have often served as a platform to advocate for political, cultural, and societal causes, raising awareness about topical campaigns and championing the call for change. Although rare and occurring only on a few occasions, there have been instances where actors and filmmakers declined their Oscars in protest of various issues.

To date, only three individuals have rejected an Oscar out of the thousands of winners. Let's explore who they are and the reasons behind their decisions.

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Dudley Nichols

Dudley Nichols, a celebrated screenwriter, turned down the Oscar for Best Screenplay in 1935 for The Informer due to a boycott by the Writers Guild of America (WGA). He declined until the WGA received acknowledgment from the Academy, showing solidarity with fellow writers for improved working conditions.

Three years later, in 1938, Nichols ultimately accepted the Oscar after the dispute was resolved. Furthermore, he was elected President of the Writers Guild Of America, likely attributed to his principled stance in refusing the award.

George C. Scott

George C. Scott, known for his disdain towards the entire ceremony, earned a nomination for his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film of the same name. Having previously rejected a nomination in 1962 for Best Supporting Actor in 'The Hustler', he refused the nomination once again. Scott famously criticized the Oscars as "a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons,"

Marlon Brando

In 1973, one of the most iconic moments in Oscar history unfolded. Marlon Brando, a strong contender for the Best Actor award for his role in 'The Godfather,' was declared the winner. However, Brando took a different approach than Scott. He opted not to attend the ceremony, instead sending Sacheen Littlefeather as his representative.

Brando's activism with the American Indian Movement in the early 1970s prompted his refusal, aiming to draw attention to the Wounded Knee incident, which began a month before the Oscars. The incident involved around 200 Oglala Lakota and AIM activists occupying Wounded Knee for 71 days, serving as a symbol of indigenous rights and resistance.

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