The name of the woman who appeared on behalf of Marlon Brando at the 1972 Oscar telecast was given as Sacheen Littlefeather, an “Apache,” and “president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee.”
On behalf of Brando, she refused his Oscar for The Godfather (1972).
It later turned out that Littlefeather was actually an actress named Maria Cruz.
The ceremony was telecast live on March 27, 1973.