Marlon Brando Biography: Cause Of Death, Net Worth, Wife, Age, Children, Photos, Movies

Biography

Marlon Brando Jr. (born April 3, 1924) was an iconic American actor and activist. He achieved a rare distinction in his career, receiving two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He is celebrated as one of the greatest actors of all time, known for his intense and naturalistic performances.

Considered a titan of 20th-century acting, Marlon Brando garnered a plethora of accolades spanning six decades. These include two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Cannes Film Festival Award, and three British Academy Film Awards.

Marlon Brando‘s impact on cinema extends far beyond awards. His methodical acting style left an indelible mark, influencing generations of actors. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan, for example, has acknowledged Brando‘s profound influence on his directing approach. Brando‘s legacy continues to shape the art of acting and filmmaking.

Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Marlon Brando Jr.
Stage Name:	Marlon Brando
Born:	3 April 1924 (age 80 years old)
Place of Birth:	Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Died:	1 July 2004, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Shattuck Military Academy
Height:	1.75 m
Parents:	Marlon Brando Sr., Dodie Brando
Siblings:	Frances Brando, Jocelyn Brando
Spouse:	Tarita Teriipaia (m. 1962–1972), Movita Castaneda (m. 1960–1962), Anna Kashfi (m. 1957–1959)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Christian Marquand (1994-2000), Christina Ruiz (1988-1996), Jill Banner (1976-1980), Patricia Quinn (1970-1971), Valerie Varda (1964-1965), Virginia Leith (1956), Rossana Rory (1955), Marilyn Monroe (1955-1962), Wally Cox (1955-1973), Rita Moreno (1954-1962), Diahann Carroll (1954), Eva Marie Saint (1954), Josanne Berenger (1954-1955), Roberta Haynes (1952-1953), Katy Jurado (1952-1961), Carlo Fiore, Lucy Saroyan, Doris Duke, Ellen Adler, Lena Torrence, James Dean, Heidi Fleiss (1997), Cynthia Lynn (1964), Eartha Kitt (1962), France Nuyen (1960), Joan Collins (1959), Jackie Collins (1952), Shelley Winters (1951), Vivien Leigh (1951), Laurence Olivier (1951), Montgomery Clift, Elaine Stritch, Cecil Beaton, Jane Fonda, Vito Christi, Marvin Gaye, Sandy Campbell, Jacqueline Kennedy (1964), Grace Kelly (1954), Richard Pryor, Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter
Children:	Christian Brando, Cheyenne Brando, Myles Jonathan Brando, Simon Teihotu Brando, Maimiti Brando, Miko Brando, Timothy Gahan Brando, Raiatua Brando, Lisa Brando, Rebecca Brando, Rebecca Brando
Occupation:	Actor • Activist
Net Worth:	$100 million

Early Life & Education

Marlon Brando, born on April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, hailed from a family with German and Irish roots. His siblings included an older sister named Frances Brando and a younger one named Frances Brando. Their father, Marlon Brando Sr., worked as a pesticide salesman, while their mother, Dodie Brando, harbored dreams of Hollywood stardom. However, financial difficulties plagued the family, and the Brando parents parted ways when Marlon was just 11.

Despite these early challenges, Marlon Brando exhibited a remarkable talent for acting, nurtured by his mother, Dodie. His educational journey took a unique path. He was expelled from the Shattuck Military Academy in Minnesota for insubordination, so he continued his education at the same institution in Faribault, Minnesota. Here, he excelled in theater despite being a mediocre student.

The pivotal chapter of Marlon Brando‘s education unfolded in the bustling landscape of New York City. He immersed himself in acting at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School, setting the stage for his future brilliance. Brando‘s journey led him to the Actors Studio in New York City, where he honed his craft and developed a revolutionary naturalistic acting style.

A significant influence on Marlon Brando‘s artistic development was his mentor, the renowned acting coach Stella Adler. Under her guidance, he refined his technique and learned to unleash his emotions onstage.

Career

In 1944, Marlon Brando made his Broadway debut in the play I Remember Mama, winning over critics and marking the beginning of his theatrical journey. He continued to shine in other successful plays, including Tennessee Williams‘ masterpieces, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Glass Menagerie, where his raw, emotionally charged performances earned him a reputation as one of the most gifted actors of his generation. 

Hollywood soon beckoned, and in 1950, Marlon Brando made his film debut in The Men, setting the stage for a string of iconic films such as On the Waterfront, The Godfather, and Apocalypse Now. His acting style, focused on naturalism and emotional authenticity, revolutionized the industry and inspired a new generation of actors. Despite his success, Brando remained enigmatic, known for his struggles and outspoken political views. He passed away in 2004, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest actors in history.

Marlon Brando‘s career spanned five decades, featuring iconic performances. His film debut in 1950 with The Men earned critical acclaim. A breakthrough came with A Streetcar Named Desire, where he portrayed Stanley Kowalski, securing his first Academy Award nomination and establishing himself as a leading Hollywood figure. Other classic films like On the Waterfront, The Godfather, and Apocalypse Now followed.

Marlon Brando‘s performances were lauded for their intensity and authenticity, reflecting his ability to inhabit his characters fully. Despite his success, he was known for his rebellious nature and clashes with Hollywood’s establishment. Beyond acting, he was an activist, famously declining an Academy Award in 1973 to protest the treatment of Native Americans in film and actively participating in the Civil Rights Movement.

Personal Life

Marlon Brando was previously wed to Tarita, Movita, Movita Castaneda, and Anna Kashfi. He shared romantic connections with a constellation of individuals including Christian Marquand, Christina Ruiz, Jill Banner, Patricia Quinn, Valerie Varda, Virginia Leith, Rossana Rory, Marilyn Monroe, Wally Cox, Rita Moreno, Diahann Carroll, Eva Marie Saint, Josanne Berenger, Roberta Haynes, Katy Jurado, Carlo Fiore, Lucy Saroyan, Doris Duke, Ellen Adler, Lena Torrence, and James Dean.

Marlon Brando‘s life journey also briefly intersected with Heidi Fleiss, Cynthia Lynn, Eartha Kitt, France Nuyen, Joan Collins, Jackie Collins, Shelley Winters, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Montgomery Clift, Elaine Stritch, Cecil Beaton, Jane Fonda, Vito Christi, Marvin Gaye, and Sandy Campbell. There are even whispers of connections to Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Richard Pryor, Rock Hudson, and Tab Hunter.

He left behind a legacy of eleven children: Christian Brando, Cheyenne Brando, Myles Jonathan Brando, Simon Teihotu Brando, Maimiti Brando, Miko Brando, Timothy Gahan Brando, Raiatua Brando, Lisa Brando, Rebecca Brando, and Rebecca Brando. His grandchildren are Tuki Brando, Prudence Brando, and Shane Brando.

Beyond his illustrious filmography, Marlon Brando was a complex figure known for his tumultuous personal life. His three marriages and myriad relationships with women were a well-documented aspect of his journey. Moreover, he was often described as challenging on-set, frequently at odds with directors and producers. Nevertheless, his enduring influence on Hollywood and the film industry remains an indelible mark in its history.

Cause of Death

On July 1, 2004, Marlon Brando departed from this world due to respiratory and heart ailments. He left behind a legacy of 14 children and a burgeoning brood of at least 30 grandchildren. 

In the twilight of his life, he contended with the encroaching darkness of failing eyesight, a consequence of diabetes, and the somber specter of liver cancer. Strangely, his voice endured as a haunting remnant of his presence.

Net Worth

When he died in 2004, Marlon Brando‘s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million. However, despite his wealth, Brando was known for his frugal lifestyle and dislike of material possessions.