My Oscar means nothing to me, says Jon Whiteley.
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Film and Television Discussion
DavidW1947 — 10 years ago(March 11, 2016 04:10 AM)
According to a recent interview in the Oxford Times, Jon Whiteley said that getting an Oscar for his performance as a child star in The Kidnappers (1953) means nothing to him and as for the statuette, it might still be somewhere in the house, but he hasn't seen it for years and it was an ugly thing anyway.
I was shocked when I read that, because most screen actors would give anything to be awarded an Oscar for their performance. It's the film industries way of saying they are an excellent performer and that they are appreciated and recognised and Jon Whiteley treats his as though it was nothing. They honoured him and he practically threw their honour back in their faces. What an absolutely disgraceful and ungrateful attitude for him to have. He should be totally ashamed of himself. -
MarcusBritish — 10 years ago(March 24, 2016 03:08 PM)
First of all why have you pasted this message across six boards? Wasn't once enough?
Secondly, why the hell should he ashamed of himself for not conforming to Hollywood's "let's all pat each other on the back" society?
Finally what about the seven other people who rejected Oscars:
Dudley Nichols who won best screenplay for The Informer (1935).
Katharine Hepburn was not a fan of the ceremony, and didn't attend the event for 41 years.
George C. Scott rejected his award for best actor in Patton (1970).
Peter O'Toole declined an Honorary Oscar in 2003.
Marlon Brando turned down an Award in 1973 for his performance in The Godfather.
Woody Allen never turned up on the night of any of his own nominations until 2002 as a result of 9/11 to pay tribute to New York.
Jean-Luc Godard was totally uninterested in the Award and ignored the Academy in 2010 when they wanted to give him an Honorary Award.
So, I have to ask, wh111cy did you single-out one little-known person who made only 5 films way back in the 50s before he was even 12 years old, instead of any of these other actors and filmmakers who are much bigger household names and became millionaires? If anyone should be "ashamed" and set an example, it's them but I don't think they need to be ashamed why should they pander to Hollywood? They put in the work, Hollywood pays them, Hollywood also makes millions for their efforts.
All the Award is is a tacky gold-plated tin statue. Some people take pride in their work for the fact it exists and people like their films, they act for the love of acting rather than for Awards.
Not everyone has or wants an over-inflated Hollywood ego. Success comes in many forms. As does pride. Ergo, there is no "shame" to be had.
Don't be a sychophant to "the industry". They only care about one thing: your wallet. Most Hollywood chiefs are deviants and crooks anyway like all hierarchies, the worst people tend to fill the top ranks. -
TheFearmakers — 4 years ago(April 22, 2021 07:36 AM)
meanwhile, BRANDO ate up his Oscar with a huge smile for On the Waterfront
and O'Toole showed up every other time he'd lost, including Lawrence of Arabia for which he was robbed.
www.thefearmakers.blogspot.com