July 2, 2004
Legendary actor Marlon Brando has died.
Brando's attorney said Brando died in a Los Angeles hospital Thursday
His lawyer said the cause of Brando's death is being withheld -- noting that Brando was "a very private man."
The two-time Oscar-winning actor was 80. Brando is considered the greatest actor of his generation.
Brando became a cinematic icon with such classic roles as Terry Malloy in "On the Waterfront" and Don Corleone in "The Godfather."
Born April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Neb., Brando became a dominating force in the American cinematic landscape with only his second film, "A Streetcar Named Desire," in 1952. With it, he earned his first of four consecutive Best Actor Oscar nominations, which was followed by "Viva Zapata!" "Julius Caesar" and "On the Waterfront." The latter earned Brando his first win. He was nominated for Best Actor again in 1957 for "Sayonara."
But when honored for Best Actor for playing Don Corleone for "The Godfather" in 1973, he refused the honor, protesting Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans. He sent a woman purported to be Sacheen Littlefeather to the podium to refuse the award, but it turned out to be Maria Cruz, a little-known California actress.
Despite the snub, Brando went on to be nominated for "The Last Tango in Paris" in 1974 and "A Dry White Season" in 1990.
Brando's last film, 2001's "The Score," finally teamed the screen legend with fellow "Godfather" actor Robert De Niro. De Niro played the young Don Corleone in "The Godfather, Part II," but the two never appeared on screen together.
The actor also played Col. Kurtz in "Apocalypse Now," a Vietnam war epic from "Godfather" writer-director Francis Ford Coppola.
Brando's private life turned tragic years later with his son's conviction for killing the boyfriend of his half sister, Cheyenne Brando, in 1990. Five years later, Cheyenne committed suicide, still depressed over the killing.
Brando had nine children total and was married three times.
Legendary actor Marlon Brando has died.
Brando's attorney said Brando died in a Los Angeles hospital Thursday
His lawyer said the cause of Brando's death is being withheld -- noting that Brando was "a very private man."
The two-time Oscar-winning actor was 80. Brando is considered the greatest actor of his generation.
Brando became a cinematic icon with such classic roles as Terry Malloy in "On the Waterfront" and Don Corleone in "The Godfather."
Born April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Neb., Brando became a dominating force in the American cinematic landscape with only his second film, "A Streetcar Named Desire," in 1952. With it, he earned his first of four consecutive Best Actor Oscar nominations, which was followed by "Viva Zapata!" "Julius Caesar" and "On the Waterfront." The latter earned Brando his first win. He was nominated for Best Actor again in 1957 for "Sayonara."
But when honored for Best Actor for playing Don Corleone for "The Godfather" in 1973, he refused the honor, protesting Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans. He sent a woman purported to be Sacheen Littlefeather to the podium to refuse the award, but it turned out to be Maria Cruz, a little-known California actress.
Despite the snub, Brando went on to be nominated for "The Last Tango in Paris" in 1974 and "A Dry White Season" in 1990.
Brando's last film, 2001's "The Score," finally teamed the screen legend with fellow "Godfather" actor Robert De Niro. De Niro played the young Don Corleone in "The Godfather, Part II," but the two never appeared on screen together.
The actor also played Col. Kurtz in "Apocalypse Now," a Vietnam war epic from "Godfather" writer-director Francis Ford Coppola.
Brando's private life turned tragic years later with his son's conviction for killing the boyfriend of his half sister, Cheyenne Brando, in 1990. Five years later, Cheyenne committed suicide, still depressed over the killing.
Brando had nine children total and was married three times.
