Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: Sacheen Littlefeather: Protest at the Oscars

Magazines & Reviews

Sacheen Littlefeather Refuses Marlon Brando's Academy Award

30/08/2022 GMT

Sacheen Littlefeather: Protest at the Oscars

BBC World Service - Outlook, Sacheen Littlefeather: Protest at the Oscars

The Native American activist who rejected Marlon Brando’s award on his behalf

Marlon Brando asked activist Sacheen Littlefeather to reject his Oscar on his behalf. Fifty years on, the Academy has apologised for the abuse she suffered because of her protest.

In 1973 the Native American activist and actor Sacheen Littlefeather was asked by Marlon Brando to appear on live TV to refuse his Oscar for his role in The Godfather. Brando rejected the award because of misrepresentation of Native Americans by the US film industry. The stunt caused a scandal, and would have a profound effect on Sacheen’s life. Now, nearly 50 years later, the Academy has apologised for the abuse she suffered.

Uma Devi Badi was born into the low-status Badi caste in Nepal, and faced discrimination throughout her life. She eventually decided to start a protest movement to demand greater rights for her caste, climbing the gates of a government building semi-naked to get attention for her cause.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Andrea Kennedy 

(Photo: Sacheen Littlefeather refuses Marlon Brando's Academy award. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

Sacheen Littlefeather: Protest at the Oscars

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service