Marlon Brando was an American actor best known for his role as Vito Corleone in the 1972 film The Godfather. He won two Academy Awards for his performances in The Godfather and On the Waterfront. Brando was also known for his activism, particularly in support of civil rights and Native American rights. He was a major figure in the 20th century film industry and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.