Bert Lancaster is a talented American actor, whose existence the audience learned through the films “Nuremberg Trials”, “Leopard”, “Killers”, “Family Portrait in the Interior”. Winner of prestigious awards, including Golden Globe and Oscar, during his life managed to star in more than 90 films, try on the most unexpected images. What is known about this mysterious person?
Bert Lancaster: biography of a star
The future actor was born in Los Angeles, it happened in November 1913. His family was not connected with the world of cinema, his father worked at the post office, his mother was engaged in housework. It is not surprising that in the first years of his life, Bert Lancaster did not at all dream of an actor's career.
Even in early childhood, the boy became interested in sports, which was facilitated by excellent physical data. Baseball has remained his passion for many years, for the sake of training, he often sacrificed school lessons. Hobby gave rise to a desire to become a teacher of physical education, but studying at college quickly bored Bert. Departing, Lancaster began to act in the circus as an acrobat, even created his own troupe, which did not last long.
Search for yourself
It is possible that Bert Lancaster would have remained an acrobat, if not for the intervention of providence. A serious hand injury put an end to his barely beginning career. For some time the young man worked as a supermarket supervisor, then briefly held the position of manager of a concert bureau.
Influence on his choice of life path had the Second World War. Once at the front, Bert Lancaster became a member of the pop brigade, which existed to raise the morale of American soldiers. With her, a young man visited Australia, Italy, North Africa. Mostly he was entrusted with the performance of simple acrobatic numbers.
First roles
It was thanks to the work in the brigade that the assistant to the theater producer noticed him, this happened already in the post-war years. Accepting the invitation of an assistant, Bert Lancaster, whose photo can be seen in this article, first played in the play. His debut debut was the Broadway production “Sounds of the Hunt”, in which the aspiring actor embodied the image of a charming military man. Critics booed the play, but praised the debutant's talent.
The play "Sounds of Hunting" has become a kind of ticket to life for Lancaster. Thanks to his participation in the production, Bert received several offers to play a movie at once. The young man opted for the film "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 noticed by other directors.
First achievements
In 1946, the charming Bert Lancaster played his first star role. The filmography of the aspiring actor acquired a noir of “Assassins,” directed by Robert Siodmak. The young man embodied in this picture the image of a naive and courageous killer, which appealed to thousands of spectators.
Bert played a similar role in the film “Brute Force”, which was released the following year, this time he got the image of an innocently convicted convict. Successful were the following two dramas with his participation: “Criss-cross”, “Sorry, wrong number”. Basically, during the formation 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 50s
In the 50s, Bert Lancaster starred a lot. The biography of the actor shows that one of his most successful films released during this period was the film “Fire and Arrow”. The lyceum was embodied by the amazing image of the Italian Robin Hood, which protects the poor and weak in the 12th century. Given Bert’s circus past, it’s not surprising that he chose to perform the acrobatic stunts that the film abounded on his own.
Another proof of the talent of Lancaster was the role of the Indian Massai, this difficult image he embodied in the adventure story "Apache", filmed by Robert Aldrich. The film is dedicated to the problems of Native Americans oppressed by white Americans. The audience was captivated not only by a fascinating plot, but also by the abundance of chases and tricks, many of which the actor also took upon himself.
A nomination for an Oscar star was given by the film “From Now and Forever and Eternity”, released in 1953. Having starred in this picture, Lancaster acquired the title of American sex symbol, which belonged to him for many years. The episode of the 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 films of the 60s
Actor Bert Lancaster played many prominent roles in the 60s. The Oscar went to the star thanks to his filming 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.
The critics especially praised the psychological roles that Bert played in the dramas Seven Days in May and The Nuremberg Trials. Dreaming of abandoning his existing role, Lancaster during this period began to collaborate with European directors, became one of Bertolucci's favorite actors, Visconti.
The audience was greatly impressed by his role as a hereditary Sicilian aristocrat. He brilliantly embodied the image of Prince Salina, playing in the film "Leopard", the plot of which was borrowed from the work of the same name Lampedusa.
Interesting roles of the 70-80s
Noting the 60th anniversary, he continued to actively act in films Bert Lancaster. “Unknown War” is one of the main achievements of the actor in this period. The picture is dedicated to events that took place on the Eastern Front. She tells American viewers about the role of the USSR in World War II. In this tape, which was the result of the joint work of the USA and the USSR, Bert acts as a presenter and storyteller.
The audience was conquered by the image of the courageous Colonel Anthony, who Lancaster created in the historical action movie Dawn of the Zulus. His adventurer Lou Pascal, who decided to give way to the young, whom he played in the film "Atlantic City", did not go unnoticed. The last role gave the actor another nomination for an Oscar.
Of course, not all the vivid roles that Bert Lancaster played in the 70-80s are mentioned above. Films with his participation, which are definitely worth watching, are Twentieth Century, Family Portrait in the Interior, Skin, Buffalo Bill and the Indians.
Marriages and divorces
Bert's first choice was gymnast June Ernst. He was indelibly impressed by the way she performed horizontal stunts in the air, which in those years was successful for few women. The marriage was concluded in 1935, but after a few years the lovers broke up due to domestic conflicts and jealousy of June.
In 1943, Norma Anderson received the attention of Lancaster. The lyceum met this girl during his speeches with the front-line brigade, in those years he was not yet a star. Their wedding took place in 1946. This marriage lasted longer than the previous one, Burt and Norma broke up only in 1969, having had five children. Lancaster had an excellent relationship with his sons and daughters throughout his life, he often found time to communicate with them.
The actor decided to tie himself up in marriage again only in 1990, choosing Susan Martin, a simple woman who is not connected with the world of cinema. It is known that they lived together for several years before getting married. The lovers remained together until the death of the star. Susan devotedly looked after the sick spouse.
Sickness death
The last years of life turned out to be a real test for the famous actor. In 1983, Bert Lancaster suffered two micro-infarcts, as a result of which he appeared on the operating table. In 1988, he insisted on participating in a protest against the colorization of films of the 30s and 40s, organized by his fellow actors, despite serious health problems.
Bert suffered a severe stroke in 1990, which 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, was the last for the American movie star. He died in October 1994, while in his house, surrounded by family and friends.
His testament was made public, in which Lancaster categorically forbade holding memorial services after his death, because he did not like sad ceremonies. As a talented actor desired, his body was cremated. It is known that the ashes of a star are buried at Westwood Cemetery.