* There's no official record: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesn't keep a public record of all refusals.
* Refusals are rare: Only a handful of people have publicly declined an Oscar, making it hard to track.
* Different interpretations of "refusal": Some instances are unclear. For example, someone might have been unable to attend the ceremony and not receive the award in person, but not actually refuse it.
However, some of the most well-known cases of Oscar refusals include:
* Marlon Brando (1973): He refused his Best Actor award for "The Godfather," sending Sacheen Littlefeather to accept it on his behalf to protest the portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood.
* George C. Scott (1970): He declined his Best Actor award for "Patton," stating that he found the awards process "demeaning."
* Vanessa Redgrave (1978): She initially refused her Best Supporting Actress award for "Julia," but later accepted it after a controversial speech on political issues.
So, while we can't know the exact number, it's safe to say that very few Oscars have been refused throughout history.