Sacheen Littlefeather

2022 - 8 - 15

marlon brando marlon brando

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NPR"

The Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for her treatment ... (NPR)

In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather spoke on behalf of Marlon Brando at the Oscars about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films.

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Sacheen Littlefeather: Oscars apologises to actress after 50 years (BBC News)

The activist and actress appeared on live TV in 1973 to refuse an Oscar that Marlon Brando won for The Godfather. Brando rejected the best actor award because ...

In 2020, Littlefeather told the BBC that straight after the speech she had to leave the stage with two security guards. Some speculated she might be Brando's mistress. It was televised to 85 million people.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather, who refused an Oscar ... (CNN)

Sacheen Littlefeather, who refused an Academy Award on Marlon Brando's behalf, will receive a formal apology from the Academy at an event next month. (CNN) ...

She dedicated much of her career post-Oscars to activism and founding performing arts organizations for Indigenous actors. When Brando won best actor for his starring role in "The Godfather," he was absent. to a mix of boos and applause, pausing and appearing visibly upset. "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," former Academy president David Rubin wrote in a letter to Littlefeather. "The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. "We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. "Regarding the Academy's apology to me, we Indians are very patient people -- it's only been 50 years!"

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Variety"

Academy Apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for 1973 Oscars ... (Variety)

Sacheen Littlefeather received an apology letter from the Academy for her Oscars treatment in 1973 after Marlon Brando's win.

We are dedicated to fostering a more inclusive, respectful industry that leverages a balance of art and activism to be a driving force for progress. The famous 60-second speech is featured in the Academy museum’s Academy Awards History gallery, echoing in the room with other historic moments such as Halle Berry becoming the first Black best actress winner and “Parasite” winning best picture. She was lambasted with an avalanche of boos from the audience, racist gestures such as “tomahawk chops” and threatened with violence offstage.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Sacheen Littlefeather receives formal apology for mistreatment at ... (CBS News)

Littlefeather was mocked when she declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor win onstage at the 1973 ceremony.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Academy Museum director and president Jacqueline Stewart visited Littlefeather's home in June, where she read the letter aloud, presented Littlefeather with a framed copy of the apology, and recorded a video with Littlefeather for an upcoming event at the museum. Despite the decades it took to receive the apology, Littlefeather handled the situation with levity. "We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times," Littlefeather added. "I never thought I'd live to see the day I would be hearing this," she added. Littlefeather also told The Guardian that people were imitating stereotypical war cries and making offensive hand gestures when she arrived backstage. Brando had been nominated for the award for his performance in "The Godfather," and was widely expected to win.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Academy apologizes to Sacheen Littlefeather for treatment when ... (NBC News)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologized to the Native American activist and actor Sacheen Littlefeather, almost 50 years after was met ...

It’s our method of survival,” she said in a news release. In 1973, Littlefeather became the first person to make a political statement at the Oscars ceremony. “The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Academy Awards apologises to Sacheen Littlefeather for Oscars ... (The Guardian)

Nearly 50 years after her speech on behalf of Marlon Brando about depiction of Native Americans, academy apologises for 'unwarranted and unjustified' ...

In 2021, Littlefeather told the Guardian that she arrived at the ceremony only a few minutes before Brando’s award was announced, and had been given an eight-page speech by Brando to read if he won. I went up there with the grace and the beauty and the courage and the humility of my people. The Oscars took place in March, and the occupation ended in May after agreement with federal authorities to disarm. However, the show’s director Howard Koch told her she could only have 60 seconds and so she improvised a speech instead. “I never thought I’d live to see the day,” she added. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Who Is Sacheen Littlefeather? Oscars Controversy Explained (Newsweek)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has apologized to Native American actor Sacheen Littlefeather, almost 50 years after her appearance at the ...

The first Native American Indian woman, the first woman of color to ever make a statement at the Academy Awards, telling the truth about the way that it really is. "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. "For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. In the documentary Sacheen: Breaking the Silence,she said she had been blacklisted by Hollywood as a result of her speech. That I had done something, that I was the first to make a statement, a political statement. She gave a passionate speech on his behalf but was met by a largely negative response from the audience.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Academy apologizes to Native American woman who declined ... (The Washington Post)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologized to Sacheen Littlefeather, who declined an Oscar on Marlon Brando's behalf and was ostracized in ...

“I could not and was not allowed to speak for myself,” she said. In an interview on “The Dick Cavett Show” several months later, Brando said he was embarrassed by how Littlefeather was treated. She was let in, but the show’s producer said she could not read the speech. “When I was at the podium in 1973, I stood there alone.” She introduced herself and explained why she was there. She said she was there as Brando’s representative. He specifically instructed her not to touch the statuette, she recalled. “The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified. It was the first time a Native American woman had stood on the Oscars stage, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and her statement on behalf of Brando created shock waves. In 2020, it introduced diversity and inclusion standards that films must meet to qualify for a best picture nomination, following criticism that the Oscars were dominated by White actors and filmmakers. Despite the efforts, Hollywood continues to struggle with representation of women and ethnic minorities. The year was 1973.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

An Oscars Apology for Sacheen Littlefeather, 50 Years After Brando ... (The New York Times)

The Apache activist and actress was booed onstage in 1973 after she refused the best actor award on Marlon Brando's behalf and criticized Hollywood for its ...

She said some audience members did the so-called “tomahawk chop” at her and that when she went to Mr. Brando’s house later, people shot at the doorway where she was standing. “When I went back to Marlon’s house, there was an incident with people shooting at me,” she said. “For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged,” Mr. Rubin wrote. Ms. Littlefeather said she had little information about how the night would work, but Mr. Brando had given her a speech to read if he won. She paused when a mix of boos and cheers erupted from the audience. As an editor at The Times, I’ve worked with many of them, and I can tell you these are thoughtful people who have dedicated themselves to one thing: helping you understand the world. The former president of the Academy, David Rubin, wrote in the apology to Ms. Littlefeather that the abuse she faced because of the speech was “unwarranted and unjustified.” When Ms. Littlefeather, then 26, spoke, some of the audience cheered her and others jeered. Our reporters produce hundreds of original articles every day, from places as far afield as Kyiv, London, Uvalde and Sacramento. These journalists travel widely to get as complete a picture as they can. “And I focused in on the mouths and the jaws that were dropping open in the audience, and there were quite a few,” she told the Academy. “But it was like looking into a sea of Clorox, you know, there were very few people of color in the audience.” They are committed to remaining curious, keeping an open mind and seeking out every voice. I’d like to encourage you to support journalism like this by becoming a subscriber.

Explore the last week