Sacheen Littlefeather, activist who declined Brando’s Oscar, dead at 75 | USA TODAY

Sacheen Littlefeather, the first Native American actress to speak on the Oscars’ stage, has died at the age of 75 at her California home.

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Littlefeather, who was Apache and Yaqui, was born Marie Louise Cruz on Nov. 14, 1946, in Salinas, California. The actress, a graduate of California State University in Hayward (now California State University, East Bay) who studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, appeared in films such as 1973's "Counselor at Crime," 1974's "The Trial of Billy Jack" and 1975's "Johnny Firecloud." She went on to co-found the National American Indian Performing Arts Registry.

In 2018, Littlefeather revealed she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer.

Her death came weeks after she received a long-overdue apology from the Academy Awards. Nearly 50 years ago, the actress and activist rejected an Oscar on behalf of "The Godfather" star Brando, who boycotted the ceremony to protest Hollywood's negative portrayals of Native Americans. Littlefeather delivered a speech on his behalf, which was roundly mocked and booed by many members of the audience.

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