Excellent performance, but shouldn't have been Best actor

People hardly remember or talks about this film today, and Art Carney's name has kinda faded too. In contrast, people recognize Pacino, Hoffman, and Nicholson today.

I think the Academy gave the award to Art Carney based on reputation, as Pacino, Hoffman, & Nicholson were still young men at the time whereas Carney was older and established. The Academy was aiming for a sort of life-time achievement award for Carney. They also probably didn't know if Carney would get another chance to win Best Actor after this film.

Hindsight 20-20, this award should've gone to Pacino for Godfather II. It would take Pacino almost 20 years afterwards to win his first Best Actor, and he won the award for a much inferior performance in "Scent of a Woman." Godfather II should've been Pacino's moment