Her appearance at the Oscars in 1973 will not be forgotten: Sacheen Littlefeather rejected the award on behalf of Marlon Brando and linked this to criticism of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans – a courageous step that had consequences for her. Now the actress is dead.
Actress and Native American rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather has died at the age of 75. This was announced by the Oscar Academy on Twitter. In 1973, Littlefeather rejected the Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando, which the star actor won for his role in the mafia epic “The Godfather” – citing Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans as the reason.
In her Twitter message, the Oscars Academy quoted Littlefeather as saying: “Even when I’m dead, always remember that whenever you stand up for your truth, you keep my voice and the voices of our nations and our people alive. “
Just two weeks ago, the Academy paid tribute to Littlefeather in the new Oscar Museum in Los Angeles and apologized to her for the hostility that had accompanied her speech around fifty years ago. Littlefeather said at the ceremony in September that she went on stage “like a proud Indian” with “dignity, courage, grace and humility”. “I knew I had to tell the truth, some people may accept it, some may not.”
The actress and member of the Apache tribe said onstage at the 1973 Academy Awards that Brando was “unfortunately unable to accept this very generous award.” The audience reacted partly with applause, but partly with boos.
Littlefeather later said Western star John Wayne wanted to physically attack her and six security guards had to hold him back. Memories of the incident were last revived in March, when actor Will Smith punched comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Littlefeather, who worked as an actress herself, had considerable difficulties gaining a foothold in Hollywood after her speech. Casting directors warned directors against hiring her.
