NAME Marlon Brando
WHAT FAMOUS FOR Marlon Brando is famous for his ground-breaking performances in film and theater, particularly his roles in A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, and The Godfather. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of the 20th century.
BIRTH Marlon Brando was born on April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
FAMILY BACKGROUND Brando was the son of Marlon Brando Sr., a pesticide and chemical feed manufacturer, and Dorothy Julia Pennebaker Brando, an actress and theater administrator.
His older sister, Jocelyn Brando was also an actress starring in The Big Heat and Mommie Dearest. She also appeared alongside Marlon in The Ugly American And The Chase.
CHILDHOOD Brando's childhood was troubled; his parents' marriage was tumultuous, and his mother struggled with alcoholism. He moved frequently between Nebraska, Illinois, and California and developed a reputation for rebelliousness These early experiences profoundly affected him and influenced his later work as an actor.
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| Brando c 1934 |
EDUCATION Brando attended several schools, due to his parents' frequent moves, including Libertyville High School in Illinois, where he was expelled for riding a motorcycle down the hallway. He briefly attended Shattuck-St. Mary's, a military academy, before expulsion.
Later Brando honed his craft at the prestigious Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg, becoming a leading figure in method acting. He later studied at the American Theatre Wing Professional School and the Actors Studio in New York City, where he learned Method Acting under the influential teacher Stella Adler.
Under the mentorship of Stella Adler, Brando learned the "emotional memory" technique – basically, reliving past experiences to fuel your performance. It was like method acting on steroids, and the results would forever change American acting (and probably give a few audience members flashbacks to their childhood anxieties).
In one acting class, the teacher threw a curveball: "Act out a chicken hearing an air-raid siren!" Most students went full barnyard meltdown, clucking and flapping like headless poultry. Brando, ever the maverick, stood there like a statue, eyes glued to the ceiling. "Why the blank stare?" asked the bewildered teacher. Brando, channelling his inner chicken logic, deadpanned: "I'm a chicken, I don't know what an air-raid siren is!"
CAREER RECORD Here's Brando's resume:
Brando made his debut on the boards of Broadway on October 19, 1944, in I Remember Mama. He received critical acclaim for his raw intensity for this and other performances.
Made his film debut in The Men (1950) and rose to stardom with A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
Delivered iconic performances in films like On the Waterfront (1954), The Wild One (1953), and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962).
Became known for his unconventional choices, clashing with directors and studios.
Experienced a career decline in the 1960s, followed by a resurgence with his acclaimed performance in The Godfather (1972).
Continued to act in films and on stage throughout his career, maintaining his legendary status. His career spanned six decades and included performances in over 40 films.
APPEARANCE Brando was known for his striking good looks, with a strong jawline, expressive eyes, and an athletic build. His physical presence contributed to his on-screen charisma and intensity. Brando often adopted a mumbling, unconventional style of delivery in his performances.
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| Brando 1950 |
FASHION Brando's fashion sense varied from casual, rugged attire to more sophisticated, tailored suits, reflecting his versatility and the roles he played. He popularized the white T-shirt and leather jacket look in A Streetcar Named Desire.
CHARACTER Brando was known for his rebellious and unpredictable nature, both on and off the screen. He was also known for his intelligence, sensitivity, and deep commitment to his craft and often clashed with directors and producers over creative differences. Brando became a vocal advocate for social justice causes, particularly Native American rights.
SENSE OF HUMOUR Brando had a complex sense of humor, ranging from playful and charming to dark and sarcastic. He enjoyed practical jokes on set and often used humor to deflect from his personal struggles.
RELATIONSHIPS Brando's personal life was often tumultuous, marked by family conflicts and tragedies.
Marlon Brando, Hollywood's most eligible bachelor (at least until he wasn't), finally took the plunge on October 12, 1957. His lucky lady? Anna Kashfi, an Indian actress from Darjeeling – a far cry from the Hollywood scene. Sparks flew, a son named Christian soon followed, but the marriage fizzled faster than a damp firework by 1959.
Undeterred, Brando went global for wife number two, Movita Castaneda, a Mexican-American actress with a touch more life experience (being seven years his senior). This one lasted a little longer, but by 1962, it was curtains.
Then came Mutiny on the Bounty, a film that gave Brando more than just a paycheck. It seems his on-screen love interest, Tahitian actress Tarita Teriipaia, stole his heart (and maybe a few lines) when she became his third wife on August 10, 1962. At 20 years old, she was 18 years younger than Brando, but hey, love knows no age gap (and apparently no language barrier – Brando even learned French to chat up his new wife).
Brando also had a long-term relationship with his housekeeper, Maria Cristina Ruiz, and together they had three children.
He had a total of eleven children, some from his marriages and others from various relationships.
He and the author James Baldwin were roommates for a time in the 1940s. They would remain friends for more than 20 years.
MONEY AND FAME Brando earned significant wealth throughout his career, becoming one of the highest-paid actors of his time. He became the first actor to break the million-dollar barrier for a film role when in 1962, he commanded a king's ransom (well, a movie star's ransom) of $1 million to play Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty.
Despite his success, he often lived modestly and used his wealth to support various causes and interests.
Brando became a cultural icon, his image synonymous with a certain type of brooding masculinity. Despite the fame, he remained a somewhat reclusive figure.
His signature was like gold bullion to collectors. Forget cashing those checks many personal checks he wrote were never cashed because his signature was usually worth more than the amount on the check.
FOOD AND DRINK Brando had a well-documented love for food and often struggled with weight gain. He enjoyed a wide variety of cuisines but particularly favored French Polynesian dishes after living in Tahiti.
Brando was a notorious ice cream fiend. We're talking five-gallon tubs devoured in one sitting at a Beverly Hills parlor. The man had a serious commitment to both his craft and his caloric intake.
The Daily Mail reported on August 8, 1994 that Marlon Brando has been on a strict diet since doctors warned that the alternative was death. The superstar, who binged on peanut butter and jam sandwiches along with his beloved ice cream, was given the warning after his weight ballooned o more than 30 stone (191 kgs).
MUSIC AND ARTS Brando had a deep appreciation for music and the arts. He enjoyed classical music, jazz, and was an avid reader of literature and poetry.
In 1944, Brando burst onto the scene in a play called I Remember Mama, becoming a Broadway hit faster than you could say "method acting." This guy was a shoo-in for greatness, and greatness it was – two Oscars and eight nominations later, he was practically Hollywood royalty.
But Brando wasn't your typical award-clutching thespian. While filming On the Waterfront, he insisted on a 4 p.m. daily cut-off time – therapist's appointment, you see. Now, some folks might scoff, but hey, whatever keeps you channeling your inner Terry Malloy, right?
Speaking of methods, Brando wasn't a huge fan of the term "Method acting," despite practically inventing it for American film. He probably preferred something cooler, like "The Art of Intense Mumbling." This "mumbling" became his trademark, much to the chagrin of his co-stars in Guys and Dolls. Apparently, Frank Sinatra (who also coveted the role) nicknamed him "Mumbles" – a testament to Brando's dedication to, well, sounding like he just rolled out of bed. Fun fact: his singing in the same movie was a Frankenstein's monster of multiple takes stitched together. Not exactly a crooner in the making.
His talent, however, was undeniable. Acting classes with Brando were like attending masterclasses with a brooding Buddha. Robin Williams, Michael Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg – you name the legend, they probably sat there soaking up his wisdom (and mumbled pronouncements).
Speaking of mumbling, Brando had a rather interesting approach to memorization. Let's just say cue cards were his best friends. Long speeches in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now became elaborate treasure hunts for his fellow actors, who sported Brando's lines taped to various body parts. In Superman, things got even more bizarre – rumor has it he read his lines off the baby's diaper during a scene. Talk about unconventional!
This aversion to memorization didn't stop him from commanding a king's ransom. For his blink-and-you'll-miss-it role in Superman, Brando snagged a cool $3.7 million and a hefty slice of the profits. Christopher Reeve, the actual Superman sweating it out for the entire film, got a measly $250,000. Now that's some serious Brando magic!
He spoke five languages – English, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.
NATURE Brando had a profound love for nature, particularly the ocean. He owned a private atoll in French Polynesia called Tetiaroa, where he spent much of his later life.
He had a pet raccoon when he was a child named Russell.
HOBBIES AND SPORTS Brando enjoyed various hobbies, including sailing, playing the congas, and painting. He was also a fan of boxing and motorcycling.
SCIENCE AND MATHS While not particularly known for an interest in science and mathematics, Brando's intellectual curiosity led him to explore various fields of knowledge throughout his life.
PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Brando was deeply interested in philosophy and theology, often exploring existential and humanistic themes in his work. He was known to question conventional religious beliefs and sought a deeper understanding of the human condition.
ACTIVISM Brando was a man of principle, a champion for social justice. A tenth of his income went straight to Black organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, his voice a powerful echo in the fight for equality.
In 1973, Brando pulled a stunner. He rejected his Oscar for The Godfather in protest of how Native Americans were portrayed in Hollywood. Talk about using your platform! It was a bold move, a middle finger to the establishment that showed his commitment went beyond awards and accolades.
SCANDAL Brando's life was marked by numerous scandals, including his tumultuous personal relationships, legal battles, and controversial statements. His son's involvement in a murder case and his daughter's suicide brought significant media attention.
MILITARY RECORD Brando was drafted into the Army during World War II but was excused due to a knee injury he had sustained while playing football at Shattuck Military Academy.
After the Korean War broke out, and he was ordered by the draft board to report for a physical prior to induction, but the military again rejected him, this time for mental problems, as he was under psychoanalysis.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Brando struggled with his weight and health throughout his life. He had a history of heart problems, diabetes, and ultimately succumbed to respiratory failure.
HOMES Brando owned several homes throughout his life, including properties in Beverly Hills, Mulholland Drive, and his private atoll in French Polynesia, Tetiaroa.
TRAVEL Brando traveled extensively for his film roles and personal interests, with notable stays in Tahiti, Italy, and Japan. His travels influenced his worldview and acting style.
DEATH Marlon Brando died on July 1, 2004, at the age of 80, in Los Angeles, California, from respiratory failure brought on by pulmonary fibrosis with congestive heart failure.
APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Brando has been the subject of numerous biographies, documentaries, and films. His life and career continue to be explored in media, highlighting his impact on acting and popular culture.
ACHIEVEMENTS Brando's achievements include two Academy Awards for Best Actor for On the Waterfront and The Godfather, as well as numerous other awards and nominations. He revolutionized acting with his Method approach, leaving a lasting legacy on the art of performance.
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