Sacheen Littlefeather dead: Actress and activist who declined Marlon Brando's Oscar dies

express.co.uk:

Melanie Griffith ‘got stuck’ in marriage to Antonio BanderasSacheen was at the centre of one of the most iconic moments in film history at The Oscars back in 1973.On behalf of Marlon Brando, she refused to accept the award for Best Actor for his role in The Godfather.The actor sent the Native American civil rights activist to speak for him about why he didn't want the gong.

In his speech, Brando cited the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry as the reason for turning down the award in a statement, as Sacheen, was audibly booed on stage.She told the crowd: “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… and on television in movie re-runs, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.”Brando also claimed that the motion picture community had been "as responsible as any for degrading the Indian and making a mockery of his character, describing him as savage, hostile and evil".Sacheen also claimed that actor John Wayne “was in the wings and wanted to storm onto the stage and drag me off".James Jordan refuses to back down over controversial Strictly remarks [STRICTLY]Kirstie Allsopp says controversial quote on home buying is fake [REVEALED]Heidi Klum, 49, shows off her ageless figure in eye-popping jumpsuit [PICTURED]Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologised over her treatment at the ceremony.

They said to her: "The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified."The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable."For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged."For this, we.