Sacheen Littlefeather, who turned down an Oscar to protest the injustice done to Native Americans in Hollywood, is no more. She passed away due to illness and was 75 years old. The film world and fans were deeply shocked by her death.
Doctors have confirmed that Sacheen Littlefeather was diagnosed with stage four cancer four years ago. Since then, she has been receiving treatment and struggling for life. Her guardian officially disclosed to the media that she died on Sunday night at her residence in the town of Navato, Northern California.
Sacheen’s rejection of the Oscars attracted the attention of the world media. She went on stage to receive the Oscar award on behalf of Marlon Brando, who performed the best performance in the Godfather movie and refused the prize.
Famous actors Liv Ullman and Roger Moore witnessed this spectacular event at the Oscar Awards ceremony held in March 1973. Littlefeather, who was 26 then, was booed for her actions. She later said that the security personnel had to stop actor John Wayne from beating her backstage. Other others allegedly made inappropriate gestures backstage. After the ceremony, Hollywood put her on a blacklist.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, which held a ceremony in Littlefeather’s honor two weeks ago and apologized to her after nearly 50 years, also expressed their sorrow on Twitter on Sunday night.
Sacheen Littlefeather, Native American civil rights activist who famously declined Marlon Brando’s 1973 Best Actor Academy Award, dies at 75. pic.twitter.com/OlpsoItlCw
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 3, 2022
