The first 2 actors to refuse their Oscar trophies were in films with scripts that this man co-wrote
The Final Jeopardy clue for Monday, October 13, 2025, fell under the category The Oscars and spotlighted a little-known piece of film history. The clue read: “The first 2 actors to refuse their Oscar trophies were in films with scripts that this man co-wrote.”
Who is Francis Ford Coppola?
This answer links directly to two major moments in Oscar history involving actors George C. Scott and Marlon Brando. Both men rejected their Academy Awards—Scott for Patton and Brando for The Godfather. What connects these moments further is that Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote the screenplays for both films, placing him at the center of two of the most famous Oscar rejections in history.
George C. Scott and Patton
In 1971, George C. Scott won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his commanding performance in Patton, a film about the controversial U.S. General George S. Patton. But Scott made headlines by refusing to accept the award. He had warned the Academy ahead of time, stating that he did not feel comfortable competing with other actors or participating in what he called a “meat parade.”
The screenplay for Patton was co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film alongside Edmund H. North. Coppola’s writing was central in shaping the film’s depiction of Patton as a complex, flawed, yet deeply fascinating figure. While Scott’s refusal overshadowed parts of the ceremony, it cemented the film’s place in cultural memory—and Coppola’s association with it.
Marlon Brando and The Godfather
Two years later, another Oscar moment made waves when Marlon Brando refused the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1973 for his iconic role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Brando did not attend the ceremony. Instead, he sent activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to decline the award and bring attention to the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry and government.
The Godfather was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo. The film became a landmark in American cinema, and Brando’s performance remains one of the most recognized in film history. The refusal was widely publicized and controversial, but it once again placed Coppola at the intersection of filmmaking excellence and political statement.
Coppola’s Role in Both Films
Francis Ford Coppola’s writing and directing work has earned him a lasting reputation in Hollywood, and these two films exemplify his early influence. His contributions to Patton and The Godfather were instrumental in crafting the narratives that earned critical acclaim and Oscar recognition. Though the actors chose not to accept their awards, their performances—brought to life through Coppola’s words—remain vital to the films’ legacy.
While Coppola had no role in the refusals themselves, the historical coincidence that he co-wrote both screenplays makes this Final Jeopardy clue particularly notable. It draws attention to a unique and surprising link between one of cinema’s greatest storytellers and two of the Oscars’ most unexpected moments.
A Notable Trivia Thread in Oscar History
Final Jeopardy clues often reward a deep knowledge of history, and this one was no exception. The connection between George C. Scott, Marlon Brando, and Francis Ford Coppola reveals a fascinating thread that ties together landmark performances, award ceremony drama, and one of the most celebrated filmmakers of the 20th century. It’s a reminder that behind every on-screen performance lies a script—and in these two legendary cases, that script bore the mark of Coppola’s pen