George C. Scott

George Campbell Scott (October 18, 1927 – September 22, 1999) was an American actor, director, and producer. He was renowned for his stage and screen roles, displaying significant presence with his gruff demeanor and commanding persona. His accolades included two Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmys, and nominations for two BAFTA Awards and five Tony Awards. Scott's bold portrayal of General George S. Patton in Patton (1970) won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously declined on the basis that he believed performances cannot be compared to others. His other Oscar-nominated roles include Anatomy of a Murder (1959), The Hustler (1961), and The Hospital (1971). Scott continued to demonstrate his acting prowess in films like Dr. Strangelove (1964), Petulia (1968), and The Exorcist III (1990). He also graced the television screen with his exceptional performances in Hallmark Hall of Fame (1971), and 12 Angry Men (1997). Even as his film career waned, Scott maintained an influential stage career with five Tony nominations for Comes a Day (1959), The Andersonville Trial (1960), Uncle Vanya (1974), Death of a Salesman (1975), and Inherit the Wind under his belt. Born on a kitchen table on October 18, 1927, in Wise, Virginia, Scott was the younger of two siblings. He was raised by his father after his mother's death just before his eighth birthday. Scott's original aspiration was to be an author like his admired F. Scott Fitzgerald. After high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1945-1949 where he developed a solid drinking habit that persisted throughout his life. Scott then enrolled at the University of Missouri where his interest in drama ignited. He graduated from the university in 1953 with degrees in English and theatre.