Every Best Actor Winner In Oscar History

Winners in the 1970s

On April 7, 1970, John Wayne won the first Best Actor Oscar of the decade for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in True Grit. 40 years later, Jeff Bridges would be nominated for playing the character in the remake True Grit (2011), but lose out to Colin Firth (The King’s Speech).

The following Oscars ceremony in April 1971, George C. Scott made Oscar history by being the first actor to refuse his award. Scott was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for Patton, but rejected the honor and dissed the whole show. He sent a prepared statement saying “The Academy Awards are a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons.”

Gene Hackman won in 1972 for The French Connection, and then in 1973, Marlon Brando became the second actor to refuse his award. After winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather, Brando famously sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to the show. After Brando won, Littlefeather took to the podium and announced he was rejecting the award because of the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood. Littlefeather was booed, and the moment became an iconic piece of Oscar’s history.

Things went back to normal in 1974 with Jack Lemmon winning (and accepting!) for his role in Save the Tiger. Art Carney won in 1975 for Harry and Tonto, and then Jack Nicholson won his first oscar in 1976 for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

In 1977, Peter Finch won Best Actor for Network. Finch was the first actor to win posthumously, having passed away just two months before the ceremony. His widow, Eletha Finch, accepted the award on his behalf.

At the 50th Academy Awards in 1978, Richard Dreyfuss won for The Goodbye Girl. Jon Voight won for Coming Home in 1979.

Winners

1970: John Wayne – True Grit
1971: George C. Scott – Patton (refused)
1972: Gene Hackman – The French Connection
1973: Maron Brando – The Godfather (refused)
1974: Jack Lemmon – Save the Tiger
1975: Art Carney – Harry and Tonto
1976: Jack Nicholson – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
1977: Peter Finch – Network (posthumous)
1978: Richard Dreyfuss – The Goodbye Girl
1979: Jon Voight – Coming Home