Oscars controversies: Meet 3 winners who refused to accept the Academy Awards and what led to their decisions

In the world of cinema, while an actor's skills and contribution may be widely praised, for some, winning an Oscar remains the ultimate highlight of their career.

Oscars are viewed as the culmination of endless hours of work, recognition of good work, and celebration of cinematic greatness since 1929. This year, the nominees are eagerly waiting for March 3, 2025, when the 'Oscar Awards' will be held.

Over the years, we have seen magical moments, unforgettable speeches, and jaw-dropping award winners, but everything is not as glamorous as it may look. The highly esteemed event also had its fair share of controversies, such as when La La Land was by mistake announced as the Best Picture at the 89th Oscars.

Apart from this, there have been several controversies and snubs, but do you know that in the history of 100 years of Oscars, there have been three winners who refused to accept the Oscar award?

Oscar controversies and snubs: Winners who refused to accept the award

As mentioned, there are three such winners in the history of the Oscars who have turned down the iconic statue, as they refused to accept the highest honour in the industry.

Dudley Nichols

The first-ever screenwriter and film director who rejected the Oscars at the 8th Academy Awards in 1936. This is considered the first-ever action at the Oscars when The Informer won four awards, including one for Best Screenplay.

Surprisingly Nichols did not take the award home, reportedly because he had a major dispute with the Academy over its failure to support the Screen Writers Guild.

Dudley Nichols was one of the most highly regarded screenwriters of the 1930s and 1940s. He collaborated on many films over many years with director John Ford, and was also noted for his work with George Cukor, Howard Hawks, Fritz Lang and Jean Renoir. pic.twitter.com/g45ydXs6Qk

¡ª Origin Unknown (@originunknown42) May 20, 2018

Marlon Brando

You may be surprised to know this, but in an infamous moment in the history of the Oscars, Marlon Brando, a.k.a. for his role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather, refused his Academy Award for Best Actor for his unforgettable role in the same.

The reasons behind him not accepting the award are said to be in honour of protesting Hollywood's mistreatment of Native Americans. Moreover, it is reported that instead of attending the 45th Academy Awards, Brando sent activist Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse the award on his behalf.

Marlon Brando and Al Pacino on the set of The Godfather, 1972 pic.twitter.com/ip5ENddkLe

¡ª Cinema Scene (@CinemaScene404) February 23, 2025

George C. Scott

Famous for his role as General George Patton, George C. Scott was also among the ones who refused to accept an Oscar award. In 1971, the actor received four nominations and won the award for Best Actor, but he rejected the honour.

#Stonegasmoviechallenge2019 Day 18: George C. Scott
The Hustler cause I love Jaws?? pic.twitter.com/4KRQJx7lC3

¡ª cinnamon (@ithrah69) October 18, 2019

It is said that it was not for the first time; he did this twice. His first refusal came in 1962 for The Hustler, when he sent a telegram asking them to withdraw his name. And the second came in 1971 after he won for Patton, but he spiked the event and asked Frank McCarthy to accept it on his behalf.