Sacheen Littlefeather’s speech on behalf of Marlon Brando at the 1973 Academy Awards
There have been Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and many others, but the most famous Oscar speech in history belongs to Marie Cruz, known as Sacheen Littlefeather (and generally referred to by the latter name in media accounts), an actress and Native American activist.
On Tuesday, March 27, 1973, Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the Academy Awards. Brando was announced the Best Actor winner for his role in “The Godfather.” Upon reaching the podium, Littlefeather declined the Oscar from Roger Moore and spoke:
“Hello, my name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I’m Apache, and I am president of the national Native American Affirmative Image Committee. I’m representing Marlon Brando this evening, and he has asked me to tell you in a very long speech which I cannot share with you presently because of time but I will be glad to share with the press afterwards that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry (rumbling in audience) ... excuse me (boos exceeded by applause) ... and on television, in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando.”
Littlefeather told the Los Angeles Times in 2016, “Oh, I got threats. ... [The people backstage] said they’d give me 60 seconds, or they’d arrest me. John Wayne was in the wings, ready to have me taken off stage. He had to be restrained by six security guards. Afterward people questioned my authenticity, they said I wasn’t even Indian.”
Marlon Brando told Dick Cavett in 1973 that it was a “marvelous opportunity” for a statement by Native Americans. “I was embarrassed for Sacheen; she wasn’t able to say what she intended to say. And I was distressed that people should’ve booed, and whistled and stomped, even though perhaps it was directed at myself. They should’ve at least had the courtesy to listen to her.”
Littlefeather told the L.A. Times in 2016 that “I was blacklisted, or you could say ‘redlisted.’ Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett, they didn’t want me on their shows.”
