Iconic opening scene in The Godfather (1972) Marlon Brando's portrayal of Vito Corleone in "The Godfather" (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in film history. His portrayal of the aging mob boss earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously declined as a protest against Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans. Brando underwent a significant physical transformation for the role. He gained weight, shaved his head to s