Actress and Native American rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather has died at the age of 75. The Oskar Academy announced this yesterday (local time) on Twitter.
Littlefeather had rejected the Oscar in 1973 on behalf of Marlon Brando, which the actor won for his role in the mafia epic “The Godfather” – and justified it with Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans.
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.
The actress and Apache native 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.