#50: Sacheen Littlefeather (1973)

In one of the most controversial moments in Oscar history, Marlon Brando refused his 1973 Academy Award for The Godfather in protest of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans. Instead of attending, he sent actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award on his behalf.

As she delivered a speech highlighting the mistreatment of Indigenous people in the film industry and the Wounded Knee occupation, parts of the audience booed and mocked her. Years later, she revealed that John Wayne attempted to storm the stage and had to be physically restrained.