Career Yul Brynner

1 career

1.1 world war two
1.2 broadway
1.3 king , i
1.4 film stardom
1.5 magnificent seven
1.6 box office decline
1.7 later films

career
world war two

during world war ii, brynner worked french-speaking radio announcer , commentator office of war information, broadcasting occupied france. @ same time, studied acting in connecticut russian teacher michael chekhov.

broadway

brynner s first broadway performance small part in shakespeare s twelfth night in december 1941. brynner found little acting work during next few years, among other acting stints, co-starred in 1946 production of lute song mary martin. did modelling work , photographed nude george platt lynes.

brynner s first marriage actress virginia gilmore in 1944, , after began working director @ new cbs television studios, directing studio one, among other shows. made film debut in port of new york released in november 1949.

the king , i

the next year, @ urging of martin, auditioned rodgers , hammerstein s new musical in new york. recalled that, finding success director on television, reluctant go on stage. once read script, however, fascinated character of king , eager perform in project.

brynner gertrude lawrence in original production of king and i (1951)

his role king mongkut in king , (4,625 times on stage) became best known role. appeared in original 1951 production , later touring productions, 1977 broadway revival, london production in 1979, , broadway revival in 1985. won tony awards both first , last of these broadway productions. appeared in 1956 film version, won academy award best actor , in anna , king, short-lived tv version on cbs in 1972. brynner 1 of 8 people have won both tony , academy award same role. connection story , role of king mongkut deep mentioned in song 1 night in bangkok , 1984 musical chess, second act of set in bangkok.

in 1951, brynner shaved head role in king , i. following huge success of broadway production , subsequent film, brynner continued shave head rest of life, though wore wig roles. brynner s shaven head unusual @ time, , striking appearance helped give him exotic appeal. fans shaved off hair imitate him, , shaven head referred yul brynner . brynner reprised shall dance? segment patricia morison on tv special general foods 25th anniversary show: salute rodgers , hammerstein, broadcast march 28, 1954 on 4 american tv networks of time.

film stardom

brynner s second film film version of king , (1956) deborah kerr. huge success critically , commercially.

cecil b. de mille hired him ten commandments (1956) play ramesses ii opposite charlton heston. rounded out year anastasia (1956) co starring ingrid bergman under direction of anatole litvak. both films big hits , brynner became 1 of in-demand stars in hollywood.

mgm cast him 1 of brothers karamazov (1957), commercial success. less buccaneer (1958) in brynner played jean lafitte; co-starred heston , film produced de mille directed anthony quinn.

mgm used brynner again in journey (1959), opposite kerr under direction of litvak, film lost money. did sound , fury (1959) based on novel william faulkner joanne woodward.

however brynner received offer replace tyrone power had died during making of solomon , sheba (1959) gina lollobrigida. movie huge hit. did mean though proposed brynner film spartacus had postponed; when kirk douglas film came out brynner elected not make it.

brynner tried comedy 2 films directed stanley donen: once more, feeling! (1960) , surprise package (1960) public response underwhelming. made cameo in testament of orpheus (1960).

the magnificent seven

the public did magnificent 7 (1960) western remake of 7 samurai mirisch brothers. box office disappointment on initial release in proved hugely popular in europe , durable. led brynner signing three-picture deal mirisches. made cameo in goodbye again (1961).

box office decline

brynner focused on action films. did escape zahrain (1962) ronald neame , taras bulba (1962) tony curtis j. lee thompson. both films commercial disappointments; taras bulba popular failed recoup large cost.

the first film under three-picture deal mirisch flight ashiya (1963) george chakiris. followed kings of sun (1963), chakiris, directed thompson. neither film particularly popular; nor invitation gunfighter (1964), western.

morituri (1965), opposite marlon brando, failed reverse series of unsuccessful movies. had cameos in cast giant shadow (1966) , poppy flower (1966).

brynner enjoyed first hit in number of years return of 7 (1966), reprising role original. less popular triple cross (1966), war movie christopher plummer; double man (1967), spy thriller; long duel (1967), imperial adventure tale opposite trevor howard; villa rides (1968), western; , file of golden goose (1969).

brynner went yugoslavia appear in war film, battle of neretva (1969). supported katharine hepburn in big budget flop madwoman of chaillot (1969). brynner appeared in drag (as torch singer) in unbilled role in peter sellers comedy magic christian (1969).

later films

brynner went italy make spaghetti western, adiós, sabata (1970) , supported kirk douglas in light @ edge of world (1971). remained in lead roles romance of horsethief (1971) , western catlow (1971).

brynner had small role in fuzz (1972) reprised famous part in tv series anna , king (1972) ran 12 episodes.

after night flight moscow (1973) in europe, brynner had first hit in years westworld (1973). brynner s next 2 films variations on performance: ultimate warrior (1975) , futureworld (1976).

brynner returned broadway in home sweet homer, notorious flop musical. final movie death rage (1976), italian action film.