How did Sacheen Littlefeather know Marlon Brando?

Sacheen Littlefeather was a Native American activist who, at the 1973 Academy Awards, declined Marlon Brando’s Oscar for “The Godfather” on his behalf.

Sacheen Littlefeather met Marlon Brando after graduating from college and joining SAG through Francis Ford Coppola, who lived in San Francisco like Littlefeather.

She wrote Marlon Brando a letter and one day, while walking past Coppola’s house, exclaimed, “Hey! In The Godfather, you directed Marlon Brando.” She inquired about Brando’s address. Coppola eventually gave it to her.

They became good friends after she met him. He soon invited her to come to visit. She visited him several times.

Sacheen Littlefeather believes her speech had long-term consequences. Littlefeather told the Guardian’s Steve Rose last year that she was quickly blacklisted in Hollywood: “I couldn’t get a job to save my life.” J. Edgar Hoover had gone around telling people in the industry not to hire me.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a formal apology to Littlefeather nearly 50 years after her speech, which has endured as one of the most memorable moments in Oscar history.

Sacheen Littlefeather passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the age of 75 from breast cancer.