To celebrate the centenary of Marlon Brando’s birth, here is a brief history of the actor’s life and times. It’s been a while since we’ve written an article about Marlon Brando, and we feel it’s about time we did so. In the past, we’ve looked into his legacy, and have been absolutely floored by the response – it seems that everyone and their mum has some opinion about Marlon Brando.
A Superb Actor, A Legendary Film Career
Marlon Brando was born into luxury in New York City on April 25, 1920, the third of four children of Florencio and Estelle (née Larus) Brando. At the time, his father was the vice-president of P. T. Barnum & Co., the famous circus/entertainment company. The young Marlon watched, and was probably even fascinated by, the circus performers and animals in his family’s circus act. He later reminisced about this in an interview, saying: “The closest I ever came to the trappings of fame were when I was five or six and went to the circus with my family. I still have a glimpse of that time in my head when I close my eyes and the vision comes back… There were the freaks, the clowns, the elephants, the tigers, and the ponies; it was an almost magical experience. When I think about it now, it makes me feel that I must have been very, very lucky.”
After attending Parson’s School for Boys and then Harvard, Marlon decided to become an actor. He moved to Los Angeles in 1940 to begin his acting career in Hollywood. Right away, he made a name for himself as one of the best American actors of his generation. He starred in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, gaining legendary status in the process. He even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in From Here to Eternity (1953). Other famous films that featured Marlon Brando include On the Waterfront (1954), The Wild Bunch (1969), and The Godfather (1972).
In 1957, Marlon’s career peaked when he was cast as the lead in the Broadway production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The play had been written by Elia Kazan, who was notorious for making his actors take on new identities and delve into different facets of their personality. He reportedly told Marlon: “You have a bad boy image. I want you to talk to people like you would to a friend. You’ll discover that if you do, you’ll become a much more effective actor.” Marlon obliged, and the results were electric. Audiences and critics alike loved the nuanced and sometimes shocking portrayal of a man trying to resist temptation in a world full of opportunity. Unfortunately for Marlon, the play closed after only eight performances.
Marlon Brando continued to act on Broadway and in films, receiving numerous accolades for his performances. In 1966, he was made Knight Bachelor in the UK, and he continued to act and direct on stage until the 1990s.
A Self-Taught Actor: Lessons From His Own Life
Although Marlon Brando started his career in Hollywood A.D. 1940, he didn’t really get into acting as a profession; rather, he found it to be a way of life. His mother taught him to be polite and respectful, and acting allowed him to indulge in the traits that she had taught him. When asked if he felt like he was acting all the time while making films, Marlon replied: “Not at all. The camera adds a certain artistry that makes it possible for me to become someone else. I am very observant, and I learn from my surroundings. I never feel like I’m acting.”
This comes as no great surprise, as Marlon Brando was a self-taught actor. He had no formal training in acting, and received no formal education past the age of 16. Instead, he started taking acting classes in Los Angeles, and quickly began to build a resume that would later become legendary. Many of his friends and colleagues even remarked that Brando was probably the most talented student they had ever taught. In school, he was considered an incredibly promising young man, and many expected him to follow in the footsteps of his famous father and become an eminent surgeon or businessman.
However, the early death of his father from a heart attack in 1942 put a quick end to any plans Brando had for a professional career. Heartbroken, young Marlon went to New York City to live with his mother and brother. There, he immersed himself in the local theater scene, taking on small roles in off-Broadway productions. At the time, Marlon was completely unaware of the power of his performances, thinking of acting as little more than a hobby. It was not until much later that he came to realize the incredible influence that his words and deeds had on those around him. He even stated in an interview that he thought most actors and actresses were “overrated.” Nevertheless, he continued to study and experiment with new techniques, as the saying goes, “learn as you go along.” He later remarked that his attitude toward acting had been “all wrong. I had been an amateur, thinking in terms of technique rather than expression.”
His Iconic Look: How to Achieve Marlon Brando’s Look
Before we begin to discuss the many ways in which Marlon Brando influenced modern culture, it’s important to examine exactly what it is that we mean by his “iconic look.” To put it simply, Brando’s look is what made him famous, and it’s something that you can learn to achieve. In the pages that follow, we will discuss nine ways in which Marlon Brando’s unique appearance shaped our perception of reality. The first thing you need to do to embody the iconic look is to wear your hair in a way that suits the era in which the story is set. If the story is set in the 1950s, then you should wear your hair in a style that would have been popular at the time. One way to achieve the iconic look is by using the right products and tips to shape your hair into waves or curls. You should also wear makeup that enhances your features and enhances your overall look. To finish the look, you should wear a plain white or cream-colored dress (either one will work), along with some simple earrings and a necklace – again, either one will work. If possible, wear a belt in the same color as your dress. In addition to these essentials, you should add a touch of bling to the outfit with a brooch or matching necklace.