Marlon Brando

Born:April 3, 1924

Place of Birth:Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Died:July 1, 2004

Known For:Acting

Biography

Marlon Brando Jr., born on April 3, 1924, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with his groundbreaking performances and unwavering commitment to his craft. Over a career that spanned six decades, Brando garnered widespread acclaim and accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and three British Academy Film Awards. His influence extended beyond the silver screen, as he used his platform to champion various social causes, notably the civil rights movement and Native American rights.

Studying under the legendary Stella Adler in the 1940s, Brando was at the forefront of bringing the Stanislavski system of acting and method acting to mainstream audiences. His portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in the film adaptation of "A Streetcar Named Desire" earned him his first Academy Award nomination and solidified his reputation as a powerhouse performer. Subsequent roles in "On the Waterfront" and "The Wild One" showcased his versatility and left an indelible mark on cinematic history.

While the 1960s posed challenges for Brando's career, the 1970s marked a resurgence with his iconic portrayal of Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." Despite declining the Academy Award for the role, citing Hollywood's mistreatment of Native Americans, Brando's performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest in film history. Paired with his compelling turn in "Last Tango in Paris," he reclaimed his status as a top box-office draw.

In the years that followed, Brando embraced character roles, delivering memorable performances in films like "Superman," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Formula." His portrayal of Jor-El in "Superman" set a record for his earnings, underscoring his enduring appeal and star power. The American Film Institute recognized Brando as the fourth-greatest male movie star from the golden era of cinema, solidifying his legacy as a cinematic icon.

Time magazine further honored Brando by naming him one of the 100 Most Important People of the Century and designating him as the "Actor of the Century." His contributions to film and advocacy for social justice continue to resonate, cementing his status as a trailblazer in Hollywood. Marlon Brando's impact transcends generations, leaving an indelible legacy that endures to this day.

Images

Filmography

Acting

The Godfather

Don Vito Corleone

1972

Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.

Apocalypse Now

Colonel Walter Kurtz

1979

At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.

Superman

Jor-El

1978

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

Superman Returns

Jor-El

2006

Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.

The Score

Max

2001

An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist.

A Streetcar Named Desire

Stanley Kowalski

1951

A disturbed, aging Southern belle moves in with her sister for solace — but being face-to-face with her brutish brother-in-law accelerates her downward spiral.

On the Waterfront

Terry Malloy

1954

Terry Malloy is a kindhearted dockworker, and former boxer, who is tricked by his corrupt bosses into leading his friend to death. After falling in love, he tries to leave the waterfront and expose his employers.

Last Tango in Paris

Paul

1972

A recently widowed American begins an anonymous sexual relationship with a young Parisian woman.

Val

Self (archive footage)

2021

For over 40 years Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most mercurial and/or misunderstood actors has been documenting his own life and craft through film and video. He has amassed thousands of hours of footage, from 16mm home movies made with his brothers, to time spent in iconic roles for blockbuster movies like Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. This raw, wildly original and unflinching documentary reveals a life lived to extremes and a heart-filled, sometimes hilarious look at what it means to be an artist and a complex man.

The Island of Dr. Moreau

Dr. Moreau

1996

A shipwrecked sailor stumbles upon a mysterious island and is shocked to discover that a brilliant scientist and his lab assistant have found a way to combine human and animal DNA—with horrific results.

Don Juan DeMarco

Dr. Jack Mickler

1994

John Arnold DeMarco is a man who believes he is Don Juan, the greatest lover in the world. Clad in a cape and mask, DeMarco undergoes psychiatric treatment with Dr. Jack Mickler to cure him of his apparent delusion. But the psychiatric sessions have an unexpected effect on the psychiatric staff and, most profoundly, Dr Mickler, who rekindles the romance in his complacent marriage.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Jor-El

2006

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Guys and Dolls

Sky Masterson

1955

Gambler Nathan Detroit has few options for the location of his big craps game. Needing $1,000 to pay a garage owner to host the game, Nathan bets Sky Masterson that Sky cannot get virtuous Sarah Brown out on a date. Despite some resistance, Sky negotiates a date with her in exchange for bringing people into her mission. Meanwhile, Nathan's longtime fiancée, Adelaide, wants him to go legit and marry her.

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

Tomas de Torquemada

1992

Genoan navigator Christopher Columbus has a dream to find an alternative route to sail to the Indies, by traveling west instead of east, across the unchartered Ocean sea. After failing to find backing from the Portugese, he goes to the Spanish court to ask Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for help. After surviving a grilling from the Head of the Spanish Inquisition Tomas de Torquemada, he eventually gets the blessing from Queen Isabella and sets sail in three ships to travel into the unknown. Along the way he must deal with sabotage from Portugese spies and mutiny from a rebellious crew.

The Wild One

Johnny Strabler

1953

The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club ride into the small California town of Wrightsville, eager to raise hell. Brooding gang leader Johnny Strabler takes a liking to Kathie, the daughter of the local lawman, as another club rolls into town.

The Chase

Sheriff Calder

1966

The escape of Bubber Reeves from prison affects the inhabitants of a small Southern town.

The Freshman

Carmine Sabatini, aka Jimmy The Toucan

1990

After a film student gets his belongings stolen, he meets a mobster bearing a startling resemblance to a certain cinematic godfather. Soon, he finds himself caught up in a caper involving endangered species and fine dining.

The Young Lions

Lt. Christian Diestl

1958

The lives of three young men, a German and two Americans, during WWII.

Production

In the Name of the Father

Thanks

1993

A small-time Belfast thief, Gerry Conlon, is wrongly convicted of an IRA bombing in London, along with his father and friends, and spends 15 years in prison fighting to prove his innocence.