But when it became an international hoopla where careers lived and died on whether or not you did or didn't get an Oscar, then it got out of hand.
I did not decline the Academy Award.
I know what he (Oscar) stands for... and it's terrific... I think when people used to hang around and pat each other on the back over drink and dinner, it was wonderful.
There is no question you get pumped up by the recognition. Then a self-loathing sets in when you realise you're enjoying it.
Scott's TV series East Side, West Side was critically acclaimed but lasted only one season on NBC.
Scott is buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetary in Los Angeles. His grave is next to Walter Matthau's.
Once played a man who thought he was Sherlock Holmes in the movie They Might be Giants. Joanne Woodward played Dr. Watson.
Favorite baseball team was the Detroit Tigers.
Was a skilled chess player. On the set of Dr. Strangelove director Stanley Kubrick earned Scott's respect by defeating him at chess.
Reprised his most famous role of Gen. George S. Patton in the 1986 made for TV movie The Last Days of Patton.
Son Campbell Scott co-starred with Julia Roberts in the film Dying Young.
In later years claimed that he first began drinking heavily during his stint in the Marine Corps.
Was married to his fourth wife Trish Van Devere from 1972 until his death in 1999.
Accepted an Emmy award just one year after refusing an Oscar because he said that the Emmys were given out more on the basis of an actor's performance than the Oscars which Scott felt were nothing more than popularity contests.
When conjuring up images of General George S. Patton one usually includes the deep baritone voice of George C. Scott playing him in the movie but the real Patton had a high-pitched, squeaky voice.
While appearing in a stage production with Scott an actress complained to the director that she was afraid of him. "My dear," replied the director. "Everyone is afraid of George. Even me."
Had six children by four different wives.
From the same hometown as former Green Bay Packers WR Carroll Dale.
Had a tempestuous affair with Ava Gardner on the set of The Bible in 1965.
Scott's most famous movie role, General George S. Patton, was originally offered to Robert Mitchum who declined and advised the producer to cast Scott in the role because "he cares."
Scott and actress Colleen Dewhurst were married and divorced twice.
Attended college at the University of Missouri originally intending to study journalism.
Scott's mother passed away when he was nine years old and his older sister, Helen, served as a surrogate mother to him.
Father George Dewey Scott was a mining engineer who moved the family from Wise, VA to Detroit after losing his job due to the Great Depression. The elder Scott later went to work for General Motors.
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