Marlon Brando Photos from 'The Godfather' and Beyond
The first thing that comes to mind when you mention Marlon Brando is The Godfather and some of Vito Corleone's most iconic lines. That's a fact, unless you were a kid and a Superman fan in the ‘70s, in which case, you have a totally different image of the actor in your head. However, he was already a big star by the time he starred in those movies, having been part of the late Golden Age of Hollywood in the ’50s with breakout roles that changed many lives.
His career was full of ups and downs, controversial public appearances, and a lot of activism that wasn't exactly well-received. He is considered one of the greatest actors to ever live, although he never thought so in the least.
So, here are some Marlon Brando photos from The Godfather and beyond, to try to capture his range and some of his most iconic characters on the big screen.
'60s look
He was a heartthrob in the '50s, but he was ready for something else.
The Godfather
Marlon Brando wouldn't memorize his lines, so there was always someone around with a big flashcard for his eyes only.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Brando played Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway play and later in the film adaptation.
Young Heartthrob
You could say he looks like Jacob Elordi here.
Peak Masculinity
His best looks show him smoking or drinking, which was the way to be a man in the '50s. However, he was openly bisexual.
Animal Lover
Who doesn't love writing on the couch alongside their cat?
Apocalypse Now
The tormented actor's ultimate nightmare has its bright side.
Age 10
Did he know?
'70s Look
He leaned heavily into civil rights activism, which wasn't a very Hollywood-y look at the time. He won an Oscar in 1973, but rejected it. In his place, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather to announce his refusal and talk about "Hollywood's unfavorable depiction of Native Americans."
1950
An entire career ahead of him.
Becoming The Godfather
Brando before and after hair and makeup. He had to wear a prosthetic for the role.
Superman (1978)
Great hair as Jor-El.
One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Meeting Jacques Tati.
Practicing Lines
Now with his dog.
Headshot
Tough not to cast a guy looking like this.
Method Acting
His role in A Streetcar Named Desire put him in the spotlight and helped him popularize method acting.
One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
The ‘60s were the time of Westerns, and Brando wasn’t going to miss his chance.
An Icon
While he didn't set any trends and wasn't really a fashion icon, he was always a relevant figure with a lot to say.
Actor of the Century
He was named Actor of the Century by Time. They included him in the list of the 100 Most Important People of the Century, giving him a status he wasn't looking for.
Birthday Boy
Celebrating his birthday on the set of One-Eyed Jacks alongside Pina Pellicer, who got a smaller cake.
Paparazzi Incident
Photographer Ron Galella started using a helmet around Brando after the actor punched him in the face and broke his jaw once.
With Marilyn Monroe
What else can we say?
Role Model
Many actors had cited Marlon Brando as an inspiration for some of their roles, including Elvis.
Julius Caesar (1953)
A great behind-the-scenes moment from the set.
Last Known Photo
Brando died in 2004 at 80 years old of respiratory failure.
