Marlon Brando (born April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. – died July 1, 2004) was an American actor and director. He studied at the Dramatic Workshop in New York under Stella Adler and emerged from the theater world as a leading practitioner of method acting, bringing a new level of realism to screen performance.
He rose to prominence with A Streetcar Named Desire and later won Academy Awards for On the Waterfront and The Godfather. Other landmark films include Julius Caesar, Last Tango in Paris, and Apocalypse Now. Known for emotional intensity and naturalistic acting, he revolutionized modern screen performance and influenced generations of actors.
He remained a major cultural figure throughout his career, balancing acclaimed performances with outspoken advocacy for civil rights and Indigenous causes. His portrayals of Terry Malloy and Vito Corleone became cinematic benchmarks. With extraordinary artistic influence and enduring recognition, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history.