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Burt Lancaster Biography |
Burt Lancaster (November 2, 1913 - October 20, 1994) was an American film actor. Born Burton Stephen Lancaster in New York City, he was one of five children of a postal worker. He grew up in East Harlem and spent much time on the streets, where he developed great interest and skill in gymnastics. Later, he worked as a circus acrobat until an injury forced him to give up the profession.
During WWII, Lancaster performed in Army shows. Though initially unenthusiastic about acting, he returned from service, auditioned for a Broadway play and was offered a role. Though the play was not successful, Lancaster's performance drew the attention of a Hollywood agent who had him cast in the 1946 motion picture The Killers. The actor won significant acclaim and appeared in two more films the following year. Subsequently, he played in a variety of movies, but especially in dramas, thrillers, military and adventure films. In two of the adventures, The Flame and the Arrow and The Crimson Pirate, his mate and friend from the circus years, Nick Cravet, played a leading role, and both actors impressed audiences with their acrobatic prowess.
In the mid '50s, Lancaster went on challenging himself with varied cinematic roles, and satisfied longtime aspirations by moving into film producing as well. In most of his roles, whether in drama, circus, western or other genres, the self-taught actor was successful; he evolved into a solid and versatile performer and eventually a superstar. His work was recognized in 1960 when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, a Golden Globe Award, and the New York Film Critics Award for his performance in Elmer Gantry.
During the latter part of his career, Lancaster left adventure and acrobatic movies behind and portrayed distinguished characters, earning himself ever greater prestige among directors and audiences alike. This period brought him work on several European productions with directors including Luchino Visconti and Bernardo Bertolucci. Lancaster sought demanding roles and, if he liked a part or a director, was prepared to work for much lower pay than he might have earned elsewhere; he even helped to finance movies in whose artistic value he believed. He produced a number of films himself and also mentored such new directors as Sydney Pollack and John Frankenheimer, thus adding to his numerous acting achievements a pioneering role the development of independent cinema. He also appeared in several TV films.
Mr. Lancaster vigorously guarded his private life. He was married three times and had five children. His first spouse, from 1935 to 1946, was June Ernst, from whom he divorced. His second marriage was with Norma Anderson from 1946 to 1969 and also ended in divorce. His third wife was Susan Martin, whom he married in 1991. As Mr. Lancaster aged, heart trouble increasingly hindered him from working as intensely as his passion and determination demanded. He eventually had to undergo open-heart surgery, and a cerebral stroke in 1990 left him in a wheel-chair, partly paralyzed. At home in Los Angeles on October 20, 1994, Burt Lancaster died of a heart attack. He was 81 years old.
Lancaster was cremated; his ashes were interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Academy Awards for Best Actor
1953: From Here to Eternity - Nomination
1960: Elmer Gantry - Winner
1962: Birdman of Alcatraz - Nomination
1981: Atlantic City - Nomination
Filmography
La classe américaine (1993)
Field of Dreams (1989)
The Jeweller's Shop (1988)
Rocket Gibraltar (1988)
Il giorno prima (1987)
Tough Guys (1986)
Little Treasure (1985)
The Osterman Weekend (1983)
Local Hero (1983)
The Skin (1981)
Cattle Annie and Little Britches (1981)
Atlantic City (1980)
Zulu Dawn (1979)
Go Tell the Spartans (1978)
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)
Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)
The Cassandra Crossing (1976)
1900 (movie) (1976)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Gruppo di famiglia in un interno (1974)
The Midnight Man (1974)
Executive Action (1973)
Scorpio (1973)
Ulzana's Raid (1972)
Valdez Is Coming (1971)
Lawman (1971)
Airport (1970)
The Gypsy Moths (1969)
Castle Keep (1969)
U.S. Water Polo (1968)
The Swimmer (1968)
The Scalphunters (1968)
The Professionals (1966)
The Hallelujah Trail (1965)
The Train (1964)
Seven Days in May (1964)
The List of Adrian Messenger (1963)
The Leopard (1963)
A Child Is Waiting (1963)
Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
The Young Savages (1961)
Elmer Gantry (1960)
The Unforgiven (1960)
The Devil's Disciple (1959)
Separate Tables (1958)
Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
The Rainmaker (1956)
Trapeze (1956)
The Rose Tattoo (1955)
The Kentuckian (1955)
Vera Cruz (1954)
Apache (1954)
His Majesty O'Keefe (1954)
From Here to Eternity (1953)
South Sea Woman (1953)
Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
The Crimson Pirate (1952)
Ten Tall Men (1951)
Jim Thorpe - All-American (1951)
Vengeance Valley (1951)
Mister 880 (1950)
The Flame and the Arrow (1950)
Rope of Sand (1949)
Criss Cross (1949)
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948)
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
All My Sons (1948)
I Walk Alone (1948)
Desert Fury (1947)
Brute Force (1947)
The Killers (1946) |
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