Sacheen Littlefeather Says 1973 John Wayne Incident Was 'Most Violent Moment' in Oscars History

Mar. 15, 2025

Sacheen Littlefeatheris addressing her claim that John Wayne attempted to rush the stage and pull her off at the 45th Academy Awards.

In 1973, Littlefeather, 75, stood onthe Oscarsstage on behalf ofMarlon Brandoto turn down his Best Actor award for his performance inThe Godfather,using the speechto call out the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans.

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She then called it “the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards.”

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“In addition, other people were let on talk shows likeJohnny Carson,Merv Griffin, and other popular talk shows. They could go on there and talk about me, but I was never allowed to go on them and represent myself,” she said.

According toEntertainment Weekly, late actor Wayne previously said of Littlefeather’s speech, “If [Brando] had something to say, he should have appeared that night and stated his views instead of taking some little unknown girl and dressing her up in an Indian outfit.”

Representatives for Wayne’s family did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

RELATED VIDEO: Academy Honors Sacheen Littlefeather with ‘Long Overdue’ Apology After Mistreatment at 1973 Oscars

In June, Littlefeather received anapology letterfrom then-Academy president David Rubin for the mistreatment she received at the 45th Oscars.

In the letter, Rubin wrote in part: “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 offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.”

Littlefeather will be honored during an event on Sept. 17 at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, where the statement of apology will be read in full, and she will participate in a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance.

source: people.com