What is the only film role for which two different actors have won an Academy Awards?

The answer to this question concerns Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. They are the individuals who won Academy Awards for the same role in two different movies. They portrayed the same thug at different times of life. Specifically, in 1972, Marlon Brando won the Academy Award for Best Actor in the lead role as Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." Then, in 1974, Robert De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as Vito Corleone in "The Godfather, Part II."

All other actors who have been nominated for playing the same role in a different film have not been successful in obtaining an Oscar. Pointedly, Jeff Bridges failed to win an Academy Award for portraying Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" 41 years after John Wayne. Wayne was Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 film, and he won his Best Actor Award for his role. Next, Laurence Olivier was nominated for "Henry V" in 1946; Kenneth Branagh was nominated for the same role (Henry V) in 1989. They both failed to win.

Also, concerning actresses, Kate Winslet and Gloria Stuart were both nominated as young and old versions of Rose in "Titanic" (1997). Winslet and Judi Dench were nominated as young and old versions of Iris Murdoch in "Iris" (2001). All of these opportunities ended in failure. None of these women who were nominated for the award won the Academy Award.

So, unlike some acting achievements, it is really hard for actors or actresses to obtain an Academy Award for the same character performed in another film.