Which American actor refused to accept Oscar in 1973, and why did he do that?

American actor who refused to accept Oscar for his performance in the film The Godfather in 1973 was Marlon Brando. He refused to take it in protest against the poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry. Marlon Brando was politically active person, even in the previous decades, and this happening in 1973 drew a huge attention of the US and world's media. Marlon Brando (1924-2004) was famous and successful American actor, film director and activist. His most important movies are On the Waterfront (1954), The Godfather (1973), Streetcar Named Desire (1954), Viva Zapata! (1952), Julius Cezar (1953), Wild One (1953), Last Tango in Paris (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), etc.

Marlon Brando refused to accept his Academy Award for Best Actor for The Godfather. He did so in protest of the treatment of Native Americans in the film, Instead Native American Actress Sacheen Littlefeather took his place on the podium and refused to take the statue