Burt Lancaster
Burt Lancaster was an American actor and producer, born on November 2, 1913, in Manhattan, New York City. He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and versatile actors of his generation, with a career that spanned over four decades. Lancaster made significant contributions to film, theater, and television, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Lancaster grew up in East Harlem, New York, and initially pursued a career in athletics, particularly as a circus acrobat. However, an injury led him to shift his focus to acting. He began his acting career in the theater and made his Broadway debut in 1945 in the play "A Sound of Hunting." His stage performances garnered critical acclaim, which eventually led to his transition to the silver screen.
Lancaster's breakthrough film role came in 1946 with "The Killers," based on a story by Ernest Hemingway. His portrayal of a brooding ex-boxer showcased his acting range and intensity. This performance marked the beginning of a successful film career that would earn him numerous accolades.
Throughout his career, Lancaster appeared in a wide range of film genres, including dramas, westerns, war films, and film noir. His notable film noir roles include "Criss Cross" (1949), "The Killers" (1946), and "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957). Lancaster's magnetic screen presence, physicality, and ability to portray complex characters added depth to his film noir performances.
Lancaster's versatility as an actor was showcased in his collaboration with directors such as Elia Kazan, John Frankenheimer, and Luchino Visconti. Some of his most acclaimed performances came in films like "From Here to Eternity" (1953), "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961), "Elmer Gantry" (1960), and "Birdman of Alcatraz" (1962), for which he received Academy Award nominations.
In addition to acting, Lancaster established himself as a producer, forming the production company Hecht-Hill-Lancaster with Harold Hecht and James Hill. Together, they produced several successful films, including "Marty" (1955), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Lancaster's contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized with numerous awards and honors. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Elmer Gantry" (1960) and received a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for his outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.
Burt Lancaster passed away on October 20, 1994, in Century City, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 80. His legacy as an actor, producer, and cultural icon endures, and he is remembered as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, with his impact on film and his versatile performances leaving an indelible mark on cinema.
Quotes:
"Most people seem to think I'm the kind of guy who shaves with a blowtorch. Actually I'm bookish and worrisome."
[on Kirk Douglas] "We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both young, brash, cocky, arrogant. We knew everything, were highly opinionated. We were invincible. Nobody liked us."
- Burt Lancaster
Trivia:
Was a big fan of the silent film The Unknown (1927), probably partially because the movie took place in a circus, and Burt himself spent a lot of time early in his life in a circus. He once said that no scene in any movie affected him as emotionally as the one in this movie in which Lon Chaney learns that Joan Crawford does not love him.
In 1947 he was offered the role of Stanley Kowalski in the original Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" after first choice John Garfield was rejected due to his demands for a ownership percentage of the play. He turned down the role that went to Marlon Brando and made him a legend.
In 1947 he was offered the role of Stanley Kowalski in the original Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" after first choice John Garfield was rejected due to his demands for a ownership percentage of the play. He turned down the role that went to Marlon Brando and made him a legend.
