The Oscars Academy has apologized to a Native American actress who walked on stage for Marlon Brando when he won the best actor award in 1973.
Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place as a protest against the film industry’s treatment and stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans.
The film legend gave her a long speech, but the activist and actress only had a minute to convey her feelings to an estimated 85 million viewers.
Littlefeather refused to accept Roger Moore’s statuette and was booed by some in the audience after her speech, although there was also applause.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has now apologized and acknowledged that this led to it being “professionally boycotted, personally attacked and harassed and discriminated against over the last 50 years”.
The president of the academy, David Rubin, has offered his “deepest apologies and sincere admiration”.
In an open letter to the 75-year-old, he praised her bravery and said the abuse she has suffered is “unwarranted and unwarranted”.
“Regarding the Academy’s apology, we Indians are very patient people – only 50 years ago!” Littlefeather said in a statement released by the Academy.
“We have to keep our sense of humor about it at all times. It’s our survival method.”
Image: Brando (second left) received the Oscar for his iconic role in The Godfather
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She also said it was a “dream come true” that the Academy was hosting an “evening of conservation, healing and celebration,” with performances by herself and Native Americans on Sept. 17.
Brando turned down the Oscar for his iconic role in The Godfather.
He later told American television that he thought it was a “wonderful opportunity” to speak to tens of millions of people, since “the American Indian has not been able to have his voice heard anywhere in the history of the United States.” .