Born Burton Steven Lancaster, on November 2, 1911, Burt was the one of five children born to a New York City postal worker. His Irish Protestant ancestors hailed from Ulster and emigrated to The United States in the 1880s. He was a street kid who became interested in gymnastics at a very early age. This led him to the call of the circus where he worked as an acrobat until he was injured. It also gave him the great physique that he was so well known for. As a soldier in World War II, the acting bug bit him hard. He served as a member of the Special Services branch and he entertained American troops who were stationed with him in Italy during the war. His very first film, “The Killers” in 1946 catapulted him to stardom.
He never took an acting lesson in his life and learned his craft as he went along. In 1948, under the auspices of Harold Hecht and James Hill, he set up his own production company, the purpose of which was to direct his career. The company, Hecht-Hill Lancaster, was responsible for many fine productions that he wasn’t featured in. These included Paddy Chayesfsky’s “Marty” (1955) with Ernest Borgnine who won an Oscar for his fine performance as a lonely Bronx butcher, and “The Catered Affair” with Betty Davis in 1956.
He was known for his killer smile which he always referred to as “the Grin.” Equally proficient in Westerns, crime thrillers, comedies and drama, his friendship with Kirk Douglas was more than a bit overrated and the closeness of their friendship was largely fabricated. In truth, he was often cruel to Douglas.
An atheist and unabashed liberal, Lancaster stood up for his beliefs and was no hypocrite. He was married three times and had five children. His son, Bill Lancaster, is an actor and writer. Burt was well known as a ladies’ man and this ruined his marriages.
But he was very well loved as an actor and a man. He admitted that on a movie set he was always difficult, complaining about everything and sometimes very loudly. By the end of the shoot, however, the crew was always sorry to see him go and even he never understood why.
He died in October of 1994, leaving behind a film legacy that spanned more than forty years.
What are some of YOUR favorite Burt Lancaster films? Please share your thoughts.