Sacheen Littlefeather, Actress Who Declined Brando Oscar, Dies

Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, tells the audience at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, on March 27, 1973, that Marlon Brando was declining to accept his Oscar as best actor for his role in "The Godfather." AP Photo

Sacheen Littlefeather, the actress and activist who declined Marlon Brando’s 1973 Academy Award for “The Godfather” on his behalf in an indelible protest of Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans, has died. She was 75.

Littlefeather’s niece, Calina Lawrence, confirmed that she died peacefully Sunday, surrounded by loved ones at her Marin County, California, home. The cause was breast cancer, the family said.