Marlon Brando Dies at 80

Stanely Kowalski, Johnny Strabler, Terry Malloy, Vito Corleone, Colonel Kurtz, Dr. Moreau... Marlon Brando died today in Los Angeles. All obituaries, articles, and remembrances will mention his acting style and strange behaviors (kissing Larry King?). The best thing to do is appreciate the great moments he's given us. Besides his truly iconic known leading roles, Gothamist recommends seeing Guys & Dolls (Frank Sinatra's in it too), The Freshman (a classic, if only about wide-eyed NYU students), and A Dry White Season. And throw in Superman for some Jor-El action.

CNN, Washingotn Post and AP on his death.

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By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on July 2, 2004 12:05 PM

Comments [rss]

kowgurl

Go rent apocalypse now, its when he went "totally insane"

Tim N.

Jen, thanks for mentioning A Dry White Season. Not too many of the obits I've seen this morning have mentioned it. A vastly underrated film... amazing, powerful, very disturbing. Rent it and watch the scene when the verdict is read. Try taking your eyes off Brando. Impossible. And rumor has it he vamped the whole scene.

Jay

What about when Boss Hogg died?

B.

I'm 30, and Brando's death is the first of an older generation of actors to have meaning for me. His body has such a powerful presence, even in otherwise mediocre films. The only comparable single performance I've seen in recent years is Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York (despite the muddled nature of the film.) I won't argue with the NYTimes obit saying Brando may have been the greatest American film actor.