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Marlon Brando: The Revolutionary Actor Early Life and Beginnings Marlon Brando Jr. was born on April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska. The son of Marlon Brando Sr., a pesticide and chemical feed manufacturer, and Dorothy Julia Pennebaker, an actress and theatre administrator, Brando's early life was marked by complexity and contradiction. His mother, whom he adored, was an alcoholic, while his father was often absent and emotionally distant. Brando's childhood was tumultuous. He was expelled from several schools due to rebellious behavior, a pattern that would continue into his adult life. Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Brando developed a keen sensitivity and a deep well of emotion that would later serve him well in his acting career. At his father's insistence, Brando was sent to Shattuck Military Academy in Minnesota. However, his rebellious nature persisted, and he was eventually expelled. After a brief stint working as a ditch-digger, Brando decided to follow in his mother's footsteps and pursue acting. He moved to New York City in 1943, at the age of 19, to study at the American Theatre Wing Professional School. The Actor's Studio and Early Stage Career In New York, Brando met Stella Adler, a renowned acting teacher who would have a profound influence on his career. Adler introduced Brando to the 'Method' style of acting, based on the techniques of Konstantin Stanislavski. This approach emphasized emotional truth and drawing from one's own experiences to inform performances. Brando took to this style immediately, and it would become the foundation of his revolutionary approach to acting. Brando also became involved with the Actor's Studio, founded by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis. Here, under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg, Brando honed his craft alongside other future stars like Montgomery Clift and James Dean. His first significant stage role came in 1944 with "I Remember Mama." However, it was his electrifying performance as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1947 that truly announced Brando as a major talent. His raw, animalistic portrayal of Kowalski was unlike anything Broadway had seen before, and it set the stage for a new era in American acting. Breakthrough in Hollywood Brando made his film debut in "The Men" (1950), playing a paraplegic veteran. To prepare for the role, he spent a month in a veterans' hospital, demonstrating the commitment to realism that would characterize his approach to acting throughout his career. However, it was the 1951 film adaptation of "A Streetcar Named Desire," directed by Elia Kazan, that catapulted Brando to stardom. His portrayal of Stanley Kowalski, with his famous cry of "Stella!", became one of the most iconic moments in cinema history. The performance earned Brando his first Academy Award nomination and cemented his status as the most exciting young actor in Hollywood. Brando followed this with a string of critically acclaimed performances in films such as "Viva Zapata!" (1952), "Julius Caesar" (1953), and "On the Waterfront" (1954). The latter, which reunited him with Elia Kazan, won Brando his first Academy Award for Best Actor. His portrayal of Terry Malloy, particularly the famous "I coulda been a contender" scene, is considered one of the greatest performances in film history. Rebel Without a Cause Throughout the 1950s, Brando's off-screen persona began to match his on-screen intensity. He became known for his rebellious attitude, his disdain for Hollywood conventions, and his turbulent personal life. This period saw him take on a variety of roles, from singing and dancing in "Guys and Dolls" (1955) to playing a Nazi officer in "The Young Lions" (1958). Brando's reputation for being difficult on set grew during this time. He often clashed with directors and fellow actors, and his perfectionism and insistence on multiple takes became legendary. Despite this, his talent was undeniable, and he continued to be one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors. Decline and Comeback The 1960s saw a decline in Brando's career. Films like "One-Eyed Jacks" (1961), which Brando also directed, and "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962) were commercial and critical disappointments. His behavior on set became increasingly erratic, and his reputation suffered as a result. However, Brando made a spectacular comeback in 1972 with his portrayal of Don Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather." His performance was a masterclass in subtlety and understatement, a stark contrast to the raw emotion of his earlier roles. The film was a massive success, and Brando won his second Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously refused in protest of Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans. Later Career and Controversies Following "The Godfather," Brando continued to take on challenging and controversial roles. His portrayal of a middle-aged American expatriate in Bernardo Bertolucci's "Last Tango in ...