Sacheen Littlefeather, Who Rejected Oscar for Marlon Brando, Has Stage 4 Cancer
Littlefeather spoke on Brando’s behalf after his 1973 ‘The Godfather” win, demanding better representation of Native Americans in movies and TV in the first political Oscar speech
Jeremy Fuster | March 5, 2018 @ 1:24 PM
Last Updated: March 5, 2018 @ 1:27 PM
Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native American activist who made the first ever political speech at the Oscars in 1973, has stage 4 breast cancer, according to her spokesperson.
Littlefeather became famous for making a speech in the place of Marlon Brando, who won for Best Actor 45 years ago for his legendary performance in “The Godfather.” Brando, who was involved in the American Indian Movement, decided to boycott the Oscars to protest how Native Americans were portrayed in media.
Knowing he was likely to win the award, Brando asked AIM leaders to select someone to make a speech in his place, and Littlefeather was selected. Wearing an Apache dress, Littlefeather made an improvised statement on TV, which you can watch above, and then read a 15-page speech written by Brando to reporters backstage.
“I want my legacy here on earth to be that I spoke the truth,” Littlefeather said in a statement released Monday. “As women, we have been used to being silenced and we are silenced no more. When I look at other women, I look at them now as bonding together. Different nationalities of women need to support other nationalities of women as one unit together.”
Littlefeather also had warm words for Cherokee actor and veteran Wes Studi, who appeared at last night’s Oscars as a presenter. She also expressed her hope that the focus on diversity in film will one day lead to a blockbuster featuring Native Americans.
“Wes Studi looked absolutely wonderful and so handsome in his bowtie,” she said. “He spoke in his first language as he spoke in Cherokee as a Vietnam vet. I wish that this language was translated in subtitles as he spoke so that all could understand the significance and meaning of what he said.”
“We have come along way since 1973 when I first represented Marlon Brando and made a statement on stereotypes and lack of diversity. We have only just begun. I look forward to the time when we as Native People tell our own stories in our words.”
A new short documentary honoring Littlefeather’s activism, titled “Sacheen,” has been released on social media. The documentary includes interviews with Littlefeather and activists from movements like Black Lives Matter, Time’s Up, and Standing Rock discussing the legacy of Littlefeather’s Oscar appearance.
All the Oscar-Nominated Movies You Can Watch at Home Right Now
The Oscars are almost here, but you don't have to head to the theater to catch up on all the nominees you missed -- most of the major nominees you can watch from the comfort of your living room. Here you'll find the list of every Oscar nominee available for home viewing and where you can find them.
"Abacus: Small Enough to Jail"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Documentary Feature. Available with an Amazon Prime subscription and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
“Baby Driver”
Three Oscar nominations, for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Film Editing. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, as well as for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"Beauty and the Beast"
Two Oscar nominations, for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Big Sick"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Original Screenplay. Available on Amazon Prime, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Blade Runner 2049"
Five Oscar nominations, for Best Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Production Design and Cinematography. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Boss Baby"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Animated Feature. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, on Netflix, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Breadwinner"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Animated Feature. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, on Netflix, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"Call Me By Your Name"
Four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song. Available for purchase from streaming retailers.
"Coco"
Two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"Darkest Hour"
Six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Actor, Cinematography, Production Design, Makeup & Hair, and Costume Design. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Disaster Artist"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Adapted Screenplay. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Dunkirk"
Eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Production Design, Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing and Original Score. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent or purchase from streaming retailers.
"Faces Places"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Documentary. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for purchase from streaming retailers.
"Ferdinand"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Animated Feature. Available for purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Florida Project"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Get Out"
Four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor and Original Screenplay. Available on HBO and its streaming platforms, as well as DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Visual Effects. Available on Netflix, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Kong: Skull Island"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Visual Effects. Available on Netflix, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Lady Bird"
Five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Orignal Screenplay, Actress and Supporting Actress. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Last Men in Aleppo"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Documentary Feature. Available on DVD, on Netflix, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Logan"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Adapted Screenplay. Available on HBO and its streaming platforms, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Loving Vincent"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Animated Feature. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Marshall"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Original Song for "Stand Up for Something" by Common and Diane Warren. Available on Netflix, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Mudbound"
Four Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song and Cinematography. Available on Netflix.
"Roman J. Israel, Esq."
One Oscar nomination, for Best Actor. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent or purchase from streaming services.
"The Shape of Water"
Thirteen Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actress, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor and Cinematography. Available for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"The Square"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Foreign Language Film. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Strong Island"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Documentary. Available on Netflix.
"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Actress, Supporting Actor and Original Screenplay. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"War for the Planet of the Apes"
One Oscar nomination, for Best Visual Effects. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Wonder"
One Oscar nomination, for Makeup and Hairstyling. Available on Netflix, as well as Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
"Victoria & Abdul"
Two Oscar nominations, for Best Costume Design and Hair and Makeup. Available on Blu-Ray and DVD, and for rent and purchase from streaming retailers.
The Oscar nominated short films in the live action, animation and documentary categories can all be streamed for free on Shorts.tv.
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Prep for the Oscars by checking out most of the nominated films from the comfort of your couch
The Oscars are almost here, but you don't have to head to the theater to catch up on all the nominees you missed -- most of the major nominees you can watch from the comfort of your living room. Here you'll find the list of every Oscar nominee available for home viewing and where you can find them.
