Sacheen Littlefeather 'declining' Marlon Brando's Oscar 'touches people's hearts' after 50 years
In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather made history at the Oscars, appearing on stage for Marlon Brando after he won Best Performance by an Actor for The Godfather, however, she declined the award on his behalf.
The event took place at the 45th Academy Awards, and to this date, remains one of the most striking scenes to watch in Oscars history. Littlefeather explained how Brando could not accept the award because of “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry,” as she refused to touch the statue.
Sacheen Littlefeather declined Oscar for Marlon Brando in 1973
As American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather came on stage on behalf of the Hollywood star, host Roger Moore attempted to pass her the famous statue, which she held out her hands as if to push it away.
She then began to introduce herself by saying introducing herself, and of Marlon Brando, “He very regretfully can not accept this very generous award.
“The reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry,” where she was then met by a mixture of cheers and boos in the crowd.
“Excuse me,” she then said calmly, before continuing: “And on television and movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.
“I beg at this time I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will, in the future, our hearts and understandings will meet with love and generosity,” Littlefield concluded.
The 1973 awards were the first to be broadcasted internationally by satellite, and all sorts of rumors about the authenticty were flying around. However, Sacheen told The Guardian: “It was not a performance, it was a real presentation. I think that’s what took people by surprise: that it was so real. It really touches people’s hearts to this day.”
Littlefeather passed away in 2022
In October 2022, Littlefeather sadly died at her home in Novato, California, aged 75. She had been struggling with her health throughout her life, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2018.
In one of her last interviews with The Guardian, she said: “I’m very, very ill. I have metastasised breast cancer – terminal – to my right lung. And I’ve been on chemotherapy for quite some time, and daily antibiotics. As a result, my memory is not as good as it used to be.”
Marlon Brando passed away 18 years prior, on July 1 2002, with his cause of death listed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
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