Why Marlon Brando Refused His Oscar for The Godfather
Instead of walking onstage in 1973, he sent a young Apache activist to deliver a message.
Marlon Brando changed screen acting in the 1950s with raw, emotional performances in A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, which won him his first Academy Award in 1955.
The comeback
By the early 1970s, his career had cooled. Then came The Godfather. His performance as Vito Corleone won him the Oscar for Best Actor.
A surprise at the ceremony
When his name was called at the 1973 Academy Awards, Sacheen Littlefeather, a young Apache actress and activist, walked to the stage in his place. She politely declined the award on his behalf, citing the treatment of Native Americans in film and television and the standoff then happening at Wounded Knee.
A long-delayed apology
Littlefeather faced boos and harsh treatment for years. In 2022, the Academy issued her a formal apology.
Brando's decision remains one of the most talked-about moments in Oscar history.
This story is based on the stars' own interviews and memoirs and on widely reported history. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
