Native American actor/activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who delivered Marlon Brando’s Oscar speech, has passed away at 75. The Oscar acceptance speech was controversial at the time for addressing the unfair portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood and calling for better treatment for the Indigenous actors and technicians by the film industry.

In 1973, Marlon Brando was awarded the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Brando, who refused to receive the award, sent his friend and fellow actor Littlefeather to receive the Award in his name and urged her to speak about Native American issues on stage. Following the actor’s speech, the Academy blacklisted Sacheen Littlefeather. Several decades after the incident, the Academy formally apologised for its conduct in June. 

According to a statement from Sacheen Littlefeather’s caretaker, she passed away on Sunday, surrounded by friends and family. The actor had previously announced that she was suffering from stage 4 Breast cancer. 

Her acceptance speech became an iconic Oscars moment and is available to watch on the Oscars Youtube channel.