Sacheen Littlefeather says John Wayne’s response to her was ‘most violent moment ever’ at Oscars – but she’d do it again ‘in a heartbeat’

Sacheen Littlefeather has recalled the ‘violent’ aftermath to her famous 1973 Academy Awards speech, rejecting the best actor Oscar on Marlon Brando ’s behalf as she protested Native American mistreatment. However, she revealed she would do it all over again ‘in a heartbeat’. The American actress, 75, was just 26 years old when she took to the stage as Marlon Brando was awarded the gong for best actor for his role in The Godfather.

Littlefeather declined the award on his behalf , with instructions from the film star to not touch the trophy, as she made a speech under 60 seconds long to avoid the threat of arrest by security should she run over the one minute mark. Now, she’s claimed that John Wayne’s reaction to her protest was ‘the most violent moment’ that has ever happened at the Academy Awards. This follows the Academy’s letter of apology issued to her last month , almost 50 years later, and ahead of special event An Evening With Sacheen Littlefeather, to be put on this weekend at the Academy Museum.

Littlefeather told Variety : ‘I heard a disturbance from behind me as I was speaking up at the podium. I found out that he had been restrained by six security men from assaulting me while I was on that stage. ‘That was the most violent moment that had ever taken place at the Academy Awards.

’ Confirming that she heard of The Searchers star’s reaction from a security guard, the activist said it was ‘never publicised’. ‘He was never admonished by the Academy. It was never published in the press.

But the most violent moments took place then and there at the Academy Awards by John Wayne,’ she added. However, she harbours no regrets over her actions that fateful evening, saying she would do it again ‘in a heartbeat’. ‘I did not do this totally for Marlon.

I did not do this on my behalf. I did this for all Native people everywhere who suffered from racial prejudice and discrimination,’ she said. Recalling her friendship with A Streetcar Named Desire and The Godfather actor Brando, Littlefeather called the screen icon ‘a great prankster’ and remembered that ‘we used to sit together, talk and just laugh our a**es off’.

She also claimed that he ‘understood racial prejudice in a way that most people do not, and that was refreshing to me’. Following the Academy’s formal apology, the full statement is to be read out at the Academy Museum on September 17, when the actress will be invited as a guest of honour to a special event, which will encourage attendees to reflect on the historic evening from the 1973 awards and ‘focus on a future founded on healing and celebration’. From Ed Sheeran to Lewis Hamilton: 9 celebrities who broke ‘royal protocol’ Jodie Comer given bodyguard by co-star Benedict Cumberbatch after ‘situation’ on set Penny Lancaster resumes police work as Queen arrives in London ahead of funeral She will also participate in a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance, who is said to have been the first person to reach out to her on the Academy’s behalf.

‘I don’t hold anger, hate or have any animosity toward anyone, including the Academy and the John Waynes of the world,’ Littlefeather told the publication. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro. co.

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