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Year: 1972 (45th) Academy Awards
Category: Actor
Film Title: The Godfather
Winner: Marlon Brando (not present; award refused by Sacheen Littlefeather (aka Marie Cruz))
Presenter: Liv Ullmann, Roger Moore
Date & Venue: March 27, 1973; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER: Hello. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I'm Apache and I am president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. I'm representing Marlon Brando this evening and he has asked me to tell you in a very long speech, which I cannot share with you presently because of time but I will be glad to share with the press afterwards, that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry – excuse me – and on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando.
[Ed. note: When Ms. Littlefeather approaches the podium, she refuses to take the Oscar statuette being offered to her by presenter Roger Moore.]
© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences[Note: All winners are present except where noted; NOT all winners may have spoken.]
