John Wayne and Sacheen Littlefeather: John Wayne attempted to physically assault Sacheen Littlefeather on the night of the Academy Awards in 1973. Visit the website to learn more about the indigenous protest.
The Oscars night and acceptance speech can be particularly memorable because they might be directed at or against some of society’s most important political events, activities, or causes.
Leonardo DiCaprio used his Oscar victory to deliver an incisive statement on climate change, and Jaoquin Pheonix used his acceptance speech power to push for animal rights after winning the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the Joker flick.
However, the most iconic and contentious decision in the history of the Academy Awards would be Marlon Brando’s Oscar triumph for The Godfather in 1973, when he chose to decline his prize in order to give the stage speaking opportunity to indigenous representative Sacheen Littlefeather instead.
Exactly what happened between John Wayne and Sacheen Littlefeather remains a mystery
Marlon Brando earned the Academy Award for Best Male Actor in 1973 for his performance in The Godfather, which he directed.
He urged Sacheen Littlefeather to step onto the platform and graciously decline the award on his behalf, in order to make a bold statement about indigenous rights and the terrible treatment they receive in the entertainment industry.
Sacheen gave a brief speech that began with Brando’s personal statement on why he will not be receiving the prize until changes are made in the film industry for which he works. Sacheen then moved on to other topics.
Littlefeather’s address was greeted with claps and boos, and she was booed repeatedly before she sought for the audience’s forgiveness for the humiliation she had suffered.
The Occupy Wounded Knee episode, in which 200 Sioux people seized control of South Dakota and demanded that the government treat them equitably in accordance with the signed treaties of the 1990s, occurred a month before this Oscars address.
Despite the fact that over 80 million people tuned in to watch the Oscars, the powerful statement that changes are needed and that the film business should not be more discriminatory was delivered.
Marlon Brando Oscar Controversy Revisited
Marlon Brando turned down his Academy Award in 1973 because he believed the stage could accommodate an indigenous representative, Sacheen Littlefeather, who would give a statement on the protection of equal rights for indigenous people in the entertainment industry.
He chose not to attend the ceremony and instead instructed Littlefeather to refuse his prize via a specially written letter that was sent along with her to the venue.
The letter from Brando was not read during the ceremony because the Oscars team did not want it to be, but it was later published.
John Wayne Attacking Sacheen Littlefeather
During the stage speech, John Wayne, who is well-known for his involvement in the murdering of indigenous people in the movies, attempted to attack Sacheen Littlefeather.
At such a prestigious event, he was expected to be restrained by at least six security officers.
