- Born in Omaha in 1924, Marlon Brando quickly developed an independent streak that set him apart from peers.
- While a teenager, Brando was expelled from both military academy and high school for rebellious behavior.
- After moving to New York, he learned method acting from Stella Adler. He soon transformed his approach and inspired countless actors.
- Brando’s career started on the Broadway stage, but he soared to fame as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire.
- Hollywood soon took notice, as Brando’s film debut in The Men showcased his impressive dedication. He even lived among wounded veterans to prepare.
- He won his first Oscar for On the Waterfront and delivered unforgettable performances in The Wild One and Viva Zapata!.
- For The Godfather, Brando created Don Vito Corleone and achieved a legendary Oscar win, but he famously refused the award in protest of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans.
- Brando’s acting style changed cinema by bringing Stanislavski’s method to mainstream audiences, blending raw emotion with improvisation.
- Ever the risk-taker, Brando directed and starred in One-Eyed Jacks—although critics didn’t love it, the film still became a cult classic.
- He bought a private island in French Polynesia, naming it Tetiaroa, which remains a luxury resort today.
- Brando was known for both genius and chaos on set; stories about his improvisation, pranks, and late-night antics still circulate in Hollywood.
- Throughout his life, he married three times and fathered at least eleven children, keeping his family life as dramatic as his movies.
- In the late 1970s, he played Superman’s father and Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, earning massive paychecks for his selective roles.
- Surprisingly, Brando held a patent for a drum tuning device, revealing creative pursuits beyond acting.
- Despite controversy and setbacks, Marlon Brando’s influence continues. His method, roles, and passion remain unmatched in film history.
