Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American civil rights activist best known for declining Marlon Brando's best actor Oscar for "The Godfather" in 1973, has died at the age of 75, the Academy of . Where did that come from?. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist and actress who famously declined an Oscar on behalf of actor Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards, has died at 75, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Sunday. [2][3], Littlefeather was born Marie Louise Cruz on November 14, 1946, in Salinas, California. Related Articles [50] In 2016, the 88th ceremony of the Academy Awards drew criticism for lack of diversity in nominations; actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who boycotted the ceremony, cited Littlefeather as inspiration to do so. Market data provided by Factset. Sacheen Littlefeather, who famously took to the stage when Marlon Brando won an Oscar for The Godfather to decline the award, has died at the age of 75. He clearly understood the effect that this had not only on adults but, in particular, children. Littlefeather, who just passed away on October 2, 2022 at age 75, was only 26 years old when she took the stage after Brando was announced as the winner of the Best Actor Award. When Brando was announced as the best actor winner for his role in "The Godfather," Littlefeather took the stage to make a powerful and poignant statement about the depiction of Native . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [133] However, on her official website, a response to Ebert's article contradicts the lawyer and states that she was born Marie Cruz. [2][3], Aspiring to become an actress, Littlefeather picked up several radio and television commercial credits and joined the Screen Actors Guild. Market data provided by Factset. Brando was unequivocal about his view that Hollywood was doing a disservice not only to Native Americans, but all minorities, thanks to their stereotypical portrayal of different cultures. At the time, Brando was a top Hollywood supporter of the American Indian Movement and acquainted with Littlefeather through her neighbor, Francis Ford Coppola. His theatrical training and instruction was carried out by Stella Adler, one of the most prestigious professors who developed Stanislavski's work in New York; some Saturdays he went to the Actor's Studio interested in Elia Kazan's classes. He then shared that he knew that others were afraid to speak up about these issues, but felt that it was important not to be silent. "[86], Littlefeather was described as a founding member of the Red Earth Indian Theater Company in Seattle when awarded an Eagle Spirit Award (Honorary) at the 2013 American Indian Film Festival. Sacheen Littlefeather stunned Hollywood when she was sent on behalf of Marlon Brando to reject his 1973 Oscar for best actor in "The Godfather." Native Americans had virtually no representation in the film industry in 1973, and they were primarily used as extras while lead roles depicting Indians in several generations of Westerns were almost always awarded to white actors. [118], In November 2019 she received the Brando Award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to the American Indian, from the Red Nation International Film Festival. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Dina Gilo-Whitaker is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos. In a speech that shocked the country at the time, the 26-year-old Apache activist began by introducing herself and explaining that she was representing the "Godfather" actor. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for The Godfather on his behalf in 1973, has died aged 75. To Orlandi, it was the beginning of Littlefeathers nearly half-century hoax. All she was able to say was: The crowd cheered and booed. The activist had been battling. Littlefeather was a budding model and actress, and she agreed to represent him. As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. The strange, sad tale of Sacheen Littlefeather: Did icon fake a Native American identity? LaNada War Jack, one of the student organizers of the 19-month-long Native American occupation of Alcatraz that started in 1969, told this news organization: We applauded her when she spoke at the Oscars but we knew she wasnt Native.. She had been instructed by Brando not to touch the Oscar and, rather, read an eight-page statement. Littlefeather said her father was of Apache and Yaqui ancestry[1] and her mother was of European descent. She committed herself to other health education work as well and worked with Mother Theresa doing hospice care for AIDS patients. [20] She claims to have participated part-time in the occupation of Alcatraz in 1970, though this claim has been disputed. [7] She played a role in the mascot change at Tamalpais High School in the late 1980s, first becoming involved when she visited the high school as a guest director for the drama class play, "Grandmother Earth". (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images), Sacheen Littlefeather laughs while chatting with Museum of the American Indian interim executive director Victoria Canby at the museum in Novato, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2020. [1][127] She stated that she was suicidal and hospitalized in a mental institution for a year. [43], In 1975, Littlefeather reported that she was working on a movie script about Edward S. Curtis with Cap Weinberger, Jr, who had written an article about Curtis for Smithsonian magazine. [52] For the performance he was nominated for Best Actor at the 45th Academy Awards, which were presented on March 27, 1973, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. [1], Littlefeather died at her home in Novato, California, on October 2, 2022, at the age of 75. [77] In the years immediately following the protest, Littlefeather said that it had "had little effect on the course of her career". Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud", "Big Littlefeather Lies Sacheen Littlefeather Lied About Native American Ancestry, Sisters Claim 'It is a fraud. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Its one of the biggest hoaxes certainly the biggest hoax since Iron Eyes Cody, said Dina Gilio-Whitaker, a Cal State San Marcos lecturer of American Indian Studies who was commissioned at one point to ghostwrite Littlefeathers memoir. Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. In the statement, Littlefeather continues to claim to be Yaqui and White Mountain Apache. [28] She said her mother and two sisters were subject to their father's rage and beatings. [applause][60], Moore escorted Littlefeather off-stage, past several people critical of her, and towards the press. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. She was accompanied by Brando's secretary, Alice Marchak, and wore an Apache buckskin dress. [132] The Pascua Yaqui Tribe stated neither Littlefeather nor her parents were enrolled tribal members. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. (AP Photo/File), Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Louise Cruz, 1946 - 2022) on stage at AMPAS Presents An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on September 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. [97][98] She criticized the use of an Indian-themed mascot at Tomales High in 2001. [5], Over the years, Littlefeather described her personal experiences with serious health issues, including internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, and cancer. Sacheen Littlefeather refuses to accept the Best Actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando for his performance in "The Godfather" at the 45th annual Academy Aw. It's our method of survival. [6], Littlefeather attended North Salinas High School from 1960 to 1964 and was active in 4-H, winning awards in home economics categories such as food preservation and fashion. The activist, who also worked as an actress, changed her name from Marie Louise Cruz to Sacheen Littlefeather after rediscovering her Native American heritage and becoming active in protests as a young woman. She was 75 years old. The allegations emerged into public view in October when Native American journalist Jacqueline Keeler published an investigation into the Mexican ancestry of Littlefeathers California-born father, Manuel Cruz. Littlefeather walked onto the stage and raised her hand to decline the Oscar trophy that Moore offered her. This guy cannot protect himself or his name or his reputation.. [49][114][115] Littlefeather reported in 1991 that she was working on two shows for PBS, Remember Me Forever and The Americas Before Columbus, both scheduled for broadcast in 1992. "[71] When Clint Eastwood began presenting the Best Picture award, he joked, "I don't know if I should present this award on behalf of all the cowboys shot in all the John Ford Westerns over the years. Then came Marlon Brando to bring it all to center stage quite literally. Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the Oscars, Williams, 42, recalls seeing a clip of Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather appearing on behalf of The Godfather winner Marlon Brando during the . [8][113], In a 1991 article, Littlefeather was credited with co-founding the American Indian Registry for Performing Arts. Littlefeather, who just passed away on October 2, 2022 at age 75, was only 26 years old when she took the stage after Brando was announced as the winner of the Best Actor Award. And while Brando's motives weren't fully appreciated at the time, today it's clear that he was ahead of his time. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images), "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified," David Rubin, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, wrote to Littefeather. Littlefeather, a White Mountain Apache, said Brando was "delighted" by the performance, which was a protest he supported on the depiction of Native Americans by the film industry, Deadlinereported on Monday. Littlefeather has long been an accepted and highly respected member of the Native American community despite lingering speculation about her identity. All rights reserved. Two weeks before her death, the Academy honored her at an event called "An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather." In June 2022, the Academy sent Littlefeather a statement of apology that was read in full at An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather on September 17, two weeks before her death. All rights reserved. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images), Trudy Orlandi shows off a metallic boot sign that her father used at his shop in Salinas, Calif., during an interview at her home in Marin County, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Geroldine Cruz was not a battered wife or mentally ill, and their hearing-impaired father never touched alcohol or abused his children. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images), It was mortifying, said Cruz, of Lake County, Montana, of the Oscars appearance. [42] In an interview published just before her Academy Awards appearance, she stated that she had helped send two Indian nurses to Wounded Knee and that she had relinquished her United States citizenship, along with seven Native Americans. She also recorded an episode for the Academy Museum's podcast and a visual history for the Academy Oral History Projects. The History of the American Indian Movement (AIM), Indian Citizenship Act: Granted Citizenship but Not Voting Rights, The Native American Ghost Dance, a Symbol of Defiance, Top 10 Classic Films With a Social Message, Indian Reorganization Act: A New Deal for American Indians, 5 Common Indigenous Stereotypes in Film and Television. [24], In interviews, Littlefeather said she had a difficult childhood. He'd also supported Native American causes for years. All rights reserved. Gilio-Whitaker, Dina. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. [5], In 1972, Brando played Vito Corleone in The Godfather, which many critics consider one of the greatest films of all time. [4] She said she chose the name Sacheen because that was the name her father called her before he died, and Littlefeather came from the feather she always wore in her hair. "[15] Littlefeather said she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. To her, Sacheen was Marie Louise Cruz from Salinas, and they had a Mexican American father and White mother. [9][8] Geroldine Cruz continued to operate the business after her husband's death in 1966. In one of her first interviews after the speech, she mentioned that they met "through his interest in the Indian movement". I didnt have an evening dress so Marlon told me to wear my buckskin. [81][82], Coretta Scott King commended Brando for his non-violent stand, stating, "It is gratifying to see people in entertainment increasingly concerned about injustices in society and not just interested in making money. [27] A 1999 article stated she had developed colon cancer in the early 1990s. According to Littlefeather, the institution was a "hell hole" and doctors used what she said was "psychodrama," role-playing her parents "while black-hooded figures listened in a dim-lit room" to help her "reconstruct memories of childhood abuse and abandonment. [79], In 2015, Littlefeather reported that her name and image were being used fraudulently to raise money claimed to be for the Lakota nation. [41] On March 6, 1973, she participated in a meeting between the Federal Communications Commission and members of several minority groups about the representation of minorities on television. As the 50th anniversary of Littlefeathers Oscars moment approaches, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continues to showcase Littlefeather as an icon of diversity in its glittery new museum in Los Angeles, where she is featured in an exhibit about iconic moments in the award ceremonys history. [4][5] She later said that she "learned early in life that there was probably a place for me in the dramatic art field, acting if you have a parent who's deaf, you naturally have to act out messages to them," referring to communicating with her father. [47] An account from the night of the Oscar ceremony describes Francis Ford Coppola observing Littlefeather on a TV monitor backstage and stating "Sacheen Littlefeather. Marie Louise Cruz (November 14, 1946 October 2, 2022), better known as Sacheen Littlefeather, was an American actress, model, and activist on behalf of Native American civil rights. The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. Entertainment | Maybe she didnt have the piece of paper to prove it, but theres no doubt about who she was., Other scholars and activists say Littlefeathers alleged fraud was an open secret for years, and that she obscured, embellished or fabricated biographical details. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration." Subsequently, she wrote Brando a letter, asking about his interest in Native American issues. Her speech made her famous literally overnight and her fame would be exploited by Playboy magazine. Marlon Brando . At the 1973 Academy Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather refused the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando who won for his role in The Godfather. She couldnt have been more Native, said Neconie, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Acoma of New Mexico and former UC Berkeley assistant director of undergraduate admissions. "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," she added. It's disgusting to the heritage of the tribal people. [78], Littlefeather credited the speech with bringing attention back to the situation at Wounded Knee,[57] though news coverage of the standoff at the time makes little mention of Littlefeather or Brando. Marshal Service as the eyes of the nation watched on the evening news. Attempts were made at non-violent protests the Alcatraz occupation was completely nonviolent although it lasted well over a year but there were times when violence seemed like the only way to bring attention to the problem. [13][14], Littlefeather said that around age 19, she spent a year in a psychiatric hospital after previously hearing voices that pushed her to a suicide attempt, recounting what happened during a three hour visual history interview in 2022 with the director of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Littlefeather represented Marlon Brando at the 45th Academy Awards in 1973, where she - on Brando's behalf - declined the Best Actor award that he won for his performance in The Godfather. [23] Later accounts describe Coppola as Littlefeather's neighbor in San Francisco. Marie would later become famous as Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. (2021, December 6). (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal), Trudy Orlandi, with a 2nd grade portrait of her sister Maria Cruz, talks at her home in Marin County, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, about the woman who would later become famous as the Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. [108] Around this same time period, Littlefeather worked at the Gift of Love AIDS hospice in San Francisco, which was founded in 1988 by Mother Teresa, and had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa during at least one of her five visits to the facility before her death in 1997. Legal Statement. Sacheen Littlefeather gets apology for abuse by John Wayne, others at 1973 Oscars. Marlon Brando on The Dick Cavett Show in 1973 (Photo: Sipuede7 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). Later, however, he became critical of Israel and supported the Palestinian cause. Native American people were in the bottom strata of all socioeconomic indicators, and it was clear to American Indian youth that change was not going to happen without dramatic action. But the next night, Orlandi watched on live TV as Sacheen stoically ascended the Oscars stage in a buckskin dress and told a global audience of 85 million that she was Apache. [5] In an interview after her Academy Awards appearance, Fortunate Eagle confirmed that Littlefeather had supported the protest at Alcatraz;[22] According to Keeler's 2022 article published after Littlefeather's death, activist LaNada War Jack, who was at Alcatraz, said Littlefeather was not there. "The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. In a 1974 interview, she stated that her mother left her father when she was 4 and took her to live with her maternal grandparents. "[73] Her appearance prompted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to rule out future proxy acceptance of Academy Awards. He died of cancer when Sacheen was 19, Orlandi said. During her speech, the audience's response to Brando's boycotting was divided between booing and applause. [128], In 2018, Littlefeather developed stage IV breast cancer,[129] a recurrence of the breast cancer from which she was reported to be in remission in 2012. [89][90][91] In 1978, it was reported that Littlefeather would travel to Newfoundland with the Greenpeace Foundation to protest the Newfoundland seal hunt along with politicians and other show business personalities. She delivered a short speech on behalf of Brando declining acceptance of the award. VisitMy Modern Met Media. The actress, who had breast cancer, died on Sunday . [45] She continued to pursue acting opportunities, such as touring with the "Red Earth Theater Company". [5][27] She reported having tuberculosis at age four and received treatment in an oxygen tent while hospitalized. Instead, she was given 60 seconds. [23] Later, though, Littlefeather said she was blacklisted by the Hollywood community and received threats. Still, in the short time she did have, Littlefeather made her voice heard. She had no legal recourse to contest their publication because she had signed a model release. "[83] Many years later, Littlefeather said that King called her to thank her for the speech. [116][117] In 2009, she gave testimony in the documentary Reel Injun about Native Americans in film. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. When we think today about his words and what representation meansespecially to childrenone can't help but applaud his willingness to speak out in a time when it wasn't popular to do so. Gilio-Whitaker, Dina. Sacheen Littlefeather Has Died. No one was without an opinion and some Hollywood stars are remembered for the stands they would take, even if they were unpopular and controversial. [23] She played the role of Paleflower in Winterhawk, filmed in Kalispell, Montana. Sacheen Littlefeather, the activist for Native Americans who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for "The Godfather" on his behalf at the 1973 Academy Awards, died Sunday at 75, the Ac "I was a spokesperson, so to speak, for the stereotype of Native Americans in film and television," she later said. Marlon Brando had a long history of supporting various social movements dating back to at least 1946 when he backed the Zionist movement for a Jewish homeland. Entertainment | After giving brief remarks and announcing the five nominees, they declared Brando as the winner. Did Sacheen Littlefeather share true story about John Wayne trying to attack her? 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. The Pascua Yaqui tribe in Arizona told this news organization that Littlefeather wasnt enrolled, while the White Mountain Apache hasnt responded to media inquiries about her membership. Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar for "The Godfather" has died. Market data provided by Factset. In 1973, Marlon Brando was awarded Best Actor at the Academy Awards, but he wasn't at the ceremony to accept it. [36] A year later in October 1973, after her Academy Award appearance fame, they ran the photographs of Littlefeather as a stand-alone feature. She can rest assured that no one will take her bravery that night for granted; and long after her passing, she will continue to be a shining example for others. 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My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanityfrom the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening. [80], At The Comedy Awards in 2012, comedian Norm Macdonald staged a parody of the speech in accepting an award on behalf of Melissa McCarthy. [62] Oscars producer Koch and director Marty Pasetta both later recalled that John Wayne was waiting in the wings and had to be restrained by six security guards to prevent him from forcing her off stage. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Trouble was brewing even before Littlefeather arrived at the podium. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "[Brando] very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. [1] After recovering, she received a degree from Antioch University in holistic health and nutrition with an emphasis in Native American medicine, a practice she credited with her recovery. [53] Before the ceremony, Brando decided thatas the favorite to win[52]he would boycott as a protest led by AIM against the ongoing siege at Wounded Knee and his views on how Native Americans were represented in American films. How forward-thinking Brando's decision was and the bravery Littlefeather displayed has only been recently recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She was 75. [56] In other retellings of that night, Littlefeather said Koch told her that she had 60 seconds to deliver the speech or else she would be removed from the stage and arrested. Her . Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist Marlon Brando sent to the 1973 Academy Awards to decline the lead actor Oscar he won for "The Godfather," died Sunday at age 75.. When Brando was announced as the winner, Littlefeather took the stage dressed in full native regalia. But she also received death threats and was lied about in the media, including allegations that she wasn't Indian. [40] As a spokesperson for the National American Indian Council, she protested President Richard Nixon's budget cuts to federal Indian programs in February 1973. Some of Littlefeathers claims about aiding Native American organizations can be verified. She was later in a 32 year long relationship with and married Charles Koshiway Johnston, who died in 2021. However, Littlefeather claimed she felt "abandoned" by Brando when she was faced withthe intense backlash. So, effectively what we hear at the podium is an improvised speech by the activist. [56], At the age of 29 her lungs collapsed. They also said that their father, who was born in Oxnard, California, was of Spanish-Mexican descent and had no tribal ties. He instead sent Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Cruz), a young Apache/Yaqui activist who had participated in the Alcatraz Island occupation. Academy representatives have said the organization recognizes self-identification. But it has inserted a disclaimer at the start of a three-hour interview with Littlefeather, posted on its YouTube channel, that says oral histories should not be understood as statements of fact. In that interview, Littlefeather claims she was raised in poverty by an abusive alcoholic father and that she was abandoned by her parents who were too mentally ill to care for her. [5][37] Littlefeather was personally criticized for what was seen as exploitation of her fame,[38] but she explained that it was "strictly a business agreement" to earn the money needed to attend the World Theater Festival in Nancy, France. Indian children seeing Indians represented as savages, ugly, nasty, treacherous, drunkthey grow up only with a negative image of themselves and it lasts a lifetime.. A group of heavily-armed Oglala Lakota and their American Indian Movement supporters overtook a trading post in the town of Wounded Knee, the site of the 1890 massacre. The registry was founded in the early 1980s by Muscogee actor Will Sampson, who worked with the American Native Association to publish a directory of American Indians in the arts and entertainment fields. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts. [50] He called Littlefeather and asked her to appear on his behalf. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [96], She continued doing activism and became a respected member of California's Native American community. 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