(On being nominated for an Oscar for the third time for The Last Detail (1973)) "The first time I was up for an Oscar, I thought I would win it. But I didn`t have as sharp a view as I do now. The second time...I expected to lose, and deservedly lose, to George C. Scott. But even getting a nomination blows my mind. I`d love to win but now that I`ve had several good performances that people at large have liked, it becomes harder to excite them. And familiarity breeds contempt".
- Jack Nicholson(On the Academy Awards circa 1978) They`re political and bought and negotiated for - although many worthy people have deservedly won - and the whole concept of awards is silly. I cannot abide by the judgment of other people, because if you accept it when they say you deserve an award, then you have to accept it when they say you don`t.
- Woody Allen(New York Times interview, Oct. 16, 2005): I regret turning down the lead role in Alice Doesn`t Live Here Anymore (1974) which Ellen Burstyn deservedly won an Oscar for. I said to myself: "Who is this Martin Scorsese person?".
- Shirley MacLaine