Although Robert De Niro was passed over for 'The Godfather', his starring role in the sequel turned out to be the offer he couldn't refuse.

At the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony, veteran actor Robert De Niro expressed his gratitude to Francis Ford Coppola for not casting him in the original 'The Godfather' film.De Niro's role in 'The Godfather Part II' ultimately earned him his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

At the glittering AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony in Los Angeles, Robert De Niro had the room laughing — and a little misty-eyed — as he reflected on a surprising “thank you” to legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.