Bert Lancaster: biography and filmography

Burt Lancaster is a talented American actor, whose existence the audience learned through the films "The Nuremberg Trial", "Leopard", "Murderers", "Family Portrait in the Interior". The owner of prestigious awards, including "Golden Globe" and "Oscar", for his life managed to act in more than 90 films, try on the most unexpected images. What is known about this mysterious person?

Bert Lancaster: a biography of the star

The future actor was born in Los Angeles, it happened in November 1913. His family was not connected with the cinema world, his father worked in the post office, his mother was engaged in housekeeping. It is not surprising that in the first years of his life Bert Lancaster did not dream about the career of an actor.

Even in his early childhood, the boy was carried away by sports, which contributed to the excellent physical data. His passion for many years remained a baseball, for the sake of training, he often sacrificed school lessons. The hobby generated the desire to become a physical education teacher, but studying in college quickly bored Bert. Having retired, Lancaster began to perform in the circus as an acrobat, even created his own troupe, which did not last long.

Finding Yourself

It is possible that Bert Lancaster would remain an acrobat if not for the intervention of Providence. Serious injury to the hand put an end to his barely begun career. For some time the young man worked as a controller of the supermarket, then shortly occupied the post of manager of the concert bureau.

Influence on his choice of life was the Second World War. Having got to the front, Bert Lancaster became a member of the variety brigade, which existed for the sake of raising the morale of American soldiers. With her, the young man visited Australia, Italy, North Africa. Basically, he was trusted to perform simple acrobatic numbers.

First roles

It was thanks to the work in the brigade that he noticed the assistant of the theatrical producer, it happened already in the post-war years. Accepting the invitation of the assistant, Bert Lancaster, whose photo can be seen in this article, first played in the play. The debut for him was the Broadway production of "Sounds of Hunting", in which the aspiring actor embodied the image of a charming military man. Critics booed the play, but they spoke positively about the talent of the debutante.

The performance "Sounds of hunting" became a kind of a ticket to life for Lancaster. Thanks to his participation in the production, Bert was awarded several offers to play a movie. The young man chose the film "The Rage of the Desert". Unfortunately, this criminal drama was not successful with the audience, but the young actor, who coped well with his role, was seen by other directors.

First achievements

In 1946, Bert Lancaster played his first starring role. The filmography of the novice actor acquired noir "Killer", directed by Robert Siodmak. The young man embodied in this picture the image of a naive and brave assassin who fell in love with thousands of spectators.

A similar role Bert performed in the film "Brute Force", which was released the following year, this time he got the image of an innocent convict convict. The following two dramas with his participation turned out to be successful: "Crisscross", "Sorry, wrong number". Basically in the years of his career, the actor played physically strong people who, by the will of fate, find themselves in extreme situations and forced to get out of them.

Bright roles of the 50's

In the 50s, Bert Lancaster was very much starring. The biography of the actor shows that one of the most successful of his films, released in this period, was the painting "Fire and Arrow". The lyceum embodied the amazing image of the Italian "Robin Hood", defending the poor and the weak in the 12th century. Given Burt's circus past, it's no surprise that he chose to perform the acrobatic tricks that the film was full of.

The next proof of the talent of Lancaster was the role of the Indian Massai, this uneasy image he embodied in the adventure story "Apache", shot by Robert Aldrich. The film is dedicated to the problems of the native inhabitants of the US, oppressed by white Americans. The audience was not only captivated by the fascinating plot, but also by the abundance of chases and tricks, many of which the actor also took over.

The nomination for the "Oscar" star was presented by the ribbon "From Now and Forever", issued in 1953. In this film, Lancaster acquired the title of American sex symbol, which belonged to him for many years. The episode of a passionate kiss of his hero with a partner in the waves of the Hawaiian surf is still considered one of the brightest and sexiest scenes in the history of cinema.

The best movies of the 60's

Actor Bert Lancaster played many outstanding roles in the 60's. The Oscar went to the star thanks to his shooting in the film Elmer Gentry, which was released in 1960. In this film project, the man embodied the image of a wandering charlatan, who suddenly falls in love with a mysterious stranger who met on his way.

Especially highly appreciated by the critics are the psychological roles that Burt played in the dramas "Seven Days in May", "The Nuremberg Trials". Dreaming to abandon the established role, Lancaster during this period began to cooperate with European filmmakers, was among the favorite actors of Bertolucci, Visconti.

A great impression on the audience was his role as a hereditary Sicilian aristocrat. He brilliantly embodied the image of Prince Salina, having played in the film "Leopard", the plot of which was borrowed from the same name of Lampedusa.

Interesting roles of the 70-80s

Noting the 60th anniversary, continued to actively participate in the cinema Bert Lancaster. "Unknown War" - one of the main achievements of the actor in this period. The picture is devoted to the events that took place on the Eastern Front. She tells American audiences about the role of the USSR in the Second World War. In this tape, which was the result of the joint work of the US and the USSR, Bert acts as the presenter and narrator.

The audience was subdued by the image of the brave Colonel Anthony, who Lancaster created in the historical thriller "Dawn of the Zulus." Do not be left without attention and his adventurer, Lou Pascal, decided to give way to the young, whom he played in the picture of "Atlantic City". The latter role gave the actor another nomination for the Oscar.

Of course, not all the bright roles that Burt Lancaster played in the 1970s and 1980s are mentioned above. Films with his participation, which are certainly worth a look, are "Twentieth Century", "Family portrait in the interior", "Skin", "Buffalo Bill and the Indians".

Marriages and divorces

Her first choice was gymnast Jun Ernst. He made an indelible impression of how she performs horizontal tricks in the air, which in those years was successful for a few women. The marriage was concluded in 1935, but after a few years the lovers parted because of everyday conflicts and jealousy of June.

In 1943, Norman Anderson received the attention of Lancaster. With this girl, the lyceum met during his speeches with the front brigade, in those years he was not yet a star. Their wedding took place in 1946. This marriage lasted longer than the previous one, Bert and Norm separated only in 1969, having acquired five children. With Lancaster's sons and daughters throughout his life had a wonderful relationship, he often found time to communicate with them.

Once again, the actor decided to tie himself up again in marriage, only in 1990, choosing his own choice for Susan Martin - a simple woman who was not connected with the cinema world. It is known that they lived together for several years before they were married. Lovers stayed together until the death of the star. Susan faithfully nursed a sick husband.

Disease, death

The last years of life were a real test for the famous actor. In 1983, Bert Lancaster suffered two micro-infarctions, which resulted in being on the operating table. In 1988, he insisted on his participation in the protest against the colorization of films of the 30-40's, organized by his fellow actors, despite serious health problems.

A severe stroke Burt survived in 1990, this led to loss of speech, partial paralysis. Of course, after this tragic event, he was no longer able to return to the set. The third heart attack, unfortunately, became the last for the American movie star. He died in October 1994, being in his home surrounded by relatives and friends.

His will was promulgated, in which Lancaster categorically forbade the organization of memorial services after his death, since he did not like the sad ceremonies. As the talented actor wanted, his body was cremated. It is known that the ashes of the star were buried at Westwood Cemetery.