Burt Lancaster

Born:November 2, 1913

Place of Birth:New York City, New York, USA

Died:October 20, 1994

Known For:Acting

Biography

Burt Lancaster, born Burton Stephen Lancaster on November 2, 1913, left an indelible mark on the golden age of Hollywood with his commanding presence and versatile acting skills. Renowned for his athletic physique and captivating smile, Lancaster effortlessly transitioned from his initial tough guy roles to more complex and nuanced characters, solidifying his status as one of the finest actors of his generation.

Throughout his illustrious career, Lancaster garnered critical acclaim and accolades, including four Academy Award nominations and a win for his mesmerizing performance in "Elmer Gantry" in 1960. His ability to embody a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity earned him a Golden Globe for the same role, as well as BAFTA Awards for his compelling portrayals in "The Birdman of Alcatraz" (1962) and "Atlantic City" (1980).

Not content with just delivering powerful performances on screen, Lancaster also ventured into the realm of filmmaking, directing two movies: "The Kentuckian" in 1955 and "The Midnight Man" in 1974. His creative vision and passion for storytelling shone through in his directorial efforts, showcasing yet another facet of his artistic talent.

As a co-founder of the pioneering production company Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, Burt Lancaster played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of independent cinema in the 1950s. The company's innovative approach to filmmaking led to the creation of iconic movies such as "Marty" (1955), "Trapeze" (1956), and "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957), cementing Lancaster's reputation as a trailblazer in the industry.

In recognition of his enduring impact on cinema, the American Film Institute ranked Burt Lancaster nineteenth among the greatest male stars of all time in 1999. His legacy lives on not only through his memorable performances on screen but also through his contributions to the art of filmmaking, inspiring generations of actors and filmmakers to push boundaries and strive for excellence.

Burt Lancaster's magnetic presence, coupled with his unparalleled talent and dedication to his craft, continues to captivate audiences around the world, ensuring that his name remains synonymous with cinematic greatness. His ability to transcend stereotypes and embody a diverse array of characters with authenticity and depth solidifies his legacy as a true icon of the silver screen.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Judgment at Nuremberg

Ernst Janning

1961

In 1947, four German judges who served on the bench during the Nazi regime face a military tribunal to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Chief Justice Haywood hears evidence and testimony not only from lead defendant Ernst Janning and his defense attorney Hans Rolfe, but also from the widow of a Nazi general, an idealistic U.S. Army captain and reluctant witness Irene Wallner.

The Leopard

Prince Don Fabrizio Salina

1963

As Garibaldi's troops begin the unification of Italy in the 1860s, an aristocratic Sicilian family grudgingly adapts to the sweeping social changes undermining their way of life. Proud but pragmatic Prince Don Fabrizio Salina allows his war hero nephew, Tancredi, to marry Angelica, the beautiful daughter of gauche, bourgeois Don Calogero, in order to maintain the family's accustomed level of comfort and political clout.

Field of Dreams

Doc "Moonlight" Graham

1989

Ray Kinsella is an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to turn his cornfield into a baseball diamond. He does, but the voice's directions don't stop -- even after the spirits of deceased ballplayers turn up to play.

1900

Alfredo Berlinghieri the Elder

1976

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.

From Here to Eternity

1st Sgt. Milton Warden

1953

In 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his captain's wife and second in command are falling in love.

The Unforgiven

Ben Zachary

1960

The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe.

The Train

Paul Labiche

1964

As the Allied forces approach Paris in August 1944, German Colonel Von Waldheim is desperate to take all of France's greatest paintings to Germany. He manages to secure a train to transport the valuable art works even as the chaos of retreat descends upon them. The French resistance however wants to stop them from stealing their national treasures but have received orders from London that they are not to be destroyed. The station master, Labiche, is tasked with scheduling the train and making it all happen smoothly but he is also part of a dwindling group of resistance fighters tasked with preventing the theft. He and others stage an elaborate ruse to keep the train from ever leaving French territory.

Airport

Mel Bakersfeld

1970

An airport manager tries to keep his terminals open during a snowstorm, while a suicide bomber plots to blow up a Boeing 707 airliner in flight.

Birdman of Alcatraz

Robert Stroud

1962

After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stroud's life gains new meaning when he happens upon a helpless baby sparrow in the exercise yard and nurses it back to health. Despite having only a third grade education, Stroud goes on to become a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind bars than most people find in the outside world.

The Professionals

Dolworth

1966

An arrogant Texas millionaire hires four adventurers to rescue his kidnapped wife from a notorious Mexican bandit.

Local Hero

Felix Happer

1983

An American oil company sends a man to Scotland to buy up an entire village where they want to build a refinery. But things don't go as expected.

The Killers

'Swede' Andersen

1946

Two hit men walk into a diner asking for a man called "the Swede". When the killers find the Swede, he's expecting them and doesn't put up a fight. Since the Swede had a life insurance policy, an investigator, on a hunch, decides to look into the murder. As the Swede's past is laid bare, it comes to light that he was in love with a beautiful woman who may have lured him into pulling off a bank robbery overseen by another man.

The Cassandra Crossing

Col. Stephen Mackenzie

1976

Passengers on a European train have been exposed to a deadly disease, and nobody will let them off the train.

Sweet Smell of Success

J.J. Hunsecker

1957

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

(in "The Killers") (archive footage)

1982

Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.

The Swimmer

Ned Merrill

1968

A man spends a summer day swimming home via all the pools in his quiet suburban neighborhood.

Criss Cross

Steve Thompson

1949

An armored-car guard must join a robbery after being caught with his ex-wife by her gangster husband.

Elmer Gantry

1960

A charismatic charlatan begins a business — and eventually romantic — relationship with a roadside evangelist to sell religion to 1920s America. Based on Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name.

Production

The Unforgiven

Producer

1960

The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe.

Marty

Producer

1955

Marty, a butcher who lives in the Bronx with his mother is unmarried at 34. Good-natured but socially awkward he faces constant badgering from family and friends to get married but has reluctantly resigned himself to bachelorhood. Marty meets Clara, an unattractive school teacher, realising their emotional connection, he promises to call but family and friends try to convince him not to.

Sweet Smell of Success

Executive Producer

1957

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Thanks

1985

The story of two radically different men thrown together in a Latin American prison cell. One is Valentin, a journalist being tortured for his political beliefs. The other is Molina, a gay window-dresser who fills their lonely nights by spinning romantic fantasies drawn from memories of old movies.