Sacheen Littlefeather, the Apache activist who went to the 1973 Oscars in place of Marlon Brando and voluntarily declined the award he won for best actor with The Godfather, died at the age of 75. Due to the boos and teases she received from the audience during the ceremony, Sacheen Littlefeather took center stage in what is arguably one of the most iconic moments in Oscars history. News of his death was conveyed by the family, who did not specify the causes.
In 1973, Brando was sure of the Oscars, but after a few years of decline and conflicts with the big US film companies, he decided to boycott the awards ceremony: He then sent the then 26-year-old Dingeen Littlefeather, a model of Apache descent, to the changed her name after she became actively involved (her birth name was Marie Louise Cruz). In a brief speech, Sacheen Littlefeather explained that the actress declined the award in protest at the treatment of Native Americans in film and television, but was interrupted by a few catcalls from the audience and later taunted and insulted.
In the years that followed, Sacheen Littlefeather had a short acting career and continued to pursue activism. She was approached again last August when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – the organization that awards the Oscars – apologized after almost fifty years for the way she had been treated by those present at the 1973 awards. She responded by jokingly saying, “We Indians are very patient people, it was only 50 years ago!”; He added that maintaining a sense of humor is “our way of surviving.”