What Was Marlon Brando's Net Worth and Salary?
Marlon Brando, an iconic American actor, director, and activist, amassed a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death, equivalent to around $130 million today. Among his liquid assets, he had $23 million. However, this amount excluded numerous properties, including his private island. Even posthumously, Brando remains one of the top-earning deceased celebrities, with his estate earning nearly $9 million annually from licensing deals and royalties.
Brando's illustrious career began on Broadway, where he was named "Most Promising Young Actor" by the New York Drama Critics Awards. He famously originated the role of Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire," earning an Oscar nomination for the 1951 film version. Brando's career spanned several decades, featuring roles in classics like "On the Waterfront" (1954), "Last Tango in Paris" (1972), and "Apocalypse Now" (1979).
In 1973, Brando won an Academy Award for "The Godfather," playing Vito Corleone but declined the award to protest the film industry's portrayal of American Indians. He sent Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse the Oscar on his behalf. Despite a reputation for being difficult, Brando garnered over 30 awards for his performances.
Notable Salaries
Brando's career was marked by significant earnings. For "The Men" in 1950, he was paid $50,000 (now $620,000). For 1951's "A Streetcar Named Desire," he earned $75,000. With "Viva Zapata!" in 1952 and "On the Waterfront" in 1954, he hit the $100,000 mark. His 1957 role in "Sayonara" earned him $300,000 (around $3.3 million today), plus a potential $2.6 million in backend royalties.
Brando made Hollywood history by earning $1 million for "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1962, equivalent to $10 million today. Unfortunately, the movie bombed, only earning $13 million on a $19 million budget.
Godfather Salary
Initially, Paramount refused to consider Brando for "The Godfather" due to his reputation, but his screen test changed their mind. Brando agreed to a $50,000 salary with a sliding scale increase post-release. "The Godfather" grossed between $250 million and $300 million, making it the highest-grossing film at that time. Estimates of Brando's total earnings from the film vary from $250,000 to $2 million. Reportedly, Brando sold his backend points to producer Robert Evans for $100,000, potentially losing $11 million.
Superman Salary
In 1978, Brando earned an unprecedented $3.7 million for his role as Jor-El in "Superman," with co-star Christopher Reeve earning just $250,000. Brando also received 11.75% of the movie's backend points, possibly making an additional $30 million. For 13 days of work and 20 minutes of screen time, Brando's earnings were monumental.
Other Notable Salaries
Brando's extensive filmography included substantial salaries: $250,000 for "Last Tango in Paris" (1972), $3.5 million for "Apocalypse Now" (1979), $2.7 million for "The Formula," $3.3 million plus 11.3% of the gross for "A Dry White Season," $5 million for "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," and $1 million for "The Missouri Breaks."
Early Life
Marlon Brando Jr. was born on April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was raised in Evanston, Illinois, by his mother Dorothy, an actress, and father Marlon, a chemical feed and pesticide manufacturer, alongside his sisters Jocelyn and Frances. After his parents' temporary separation in 1935, the family moved to Santa Ana, California, and later settled on a farm in Libertyville, Illinois. Brando attended Shattuck Military Academy in Minnesota but was expelled. He eventually moved to New York, studying under Stella Adler at the American Theatre Wing Professional School.
Career
Brando made his Broadway debut in 1944 with "I Remember Mama." After notable performances in "A Flag is Born" (1946) and "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1947), he transitioned to films with "The Men" (1950). His breakout Hollywood role came in "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951), followed by "Viva Zapata!" (1952) and "Julius Caesar" (1953). Brando won an Oscar for "On the Waterfront" (1954).
In the 1960s, he directed and starred in "One-Eyed Jacks" and took roles in "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962) and "The Ugly American" (1963). The 1970s saw him acclaimed for "The Godfather" (1972) and "Last Tango in Paris" (1972), later starring in "Superman" (1978) and "Apocalypse Now" (1979). After a brief retirement, he returned to acting in "A Dry White Season" (1989) and subsequently appeared in "The Freshman" (1990) and "The Island of Dr. Moreau" (1996). Brando's final film was 2001's "The Score."
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Personal Life
Brando had relationships with several actresses including Marilyn Monroe, Reiko Sato, Dorothy Kilgallen, Katy Jurado, and Rita Moreno. He admitted to having "homosexual experiences" in a 1976 interview. Brando married actress Anna Kashfi in 1957, with whom he had a son, Christian. After their 1959 divorce, Brando married Movita Castaneda in 1960, and they had two children, Miko and Rebecca, until their marriage was annulled. Brando wed Tarita Teriipaia in 1962 with whom he had Simon and Cheyenne. Despite divorcing in 1972, he adopted Teriipaia's daughter Maimiti and her niece Raiatua. Brando had three children with his housekeeper Maria Cristina Ruiz: Ninna, Myles, and Timothy. He also adopted Petra, the daughter of his assistant Caroline Barrett.
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Death and Estate
Marlon Brando died of respiratory failure on July 1, 2004, at UCLA Medical Center at the age of 80. He suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and a liver tumor. Brando was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in Tahiti and Death Valley, alongside those of his friend Wally Cox. At his death, his estate was worth $23 million, excluding non-liquid assets like his private island. Brando remains one of the top-earning deceased celebrities.
Awards and Nominations
Brando's awards included two Academy Awards (one refused), Golden Globes, an Emmy, and BAFTA Awards. He also received accolades from the Cannes Film Festival, Faro Island Film Festival, Jussi Awards, and the National Society of Film Critics, among others. In 1960, Brando received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tahitian Island
Brando owned a private island in Tahiti. After marrying Tarita Teriipaia, Brando acquired a 99-year lease to the island of Tetiaroa in 1966. In 2014, the island was developed into "The Brando Resort" by Pacific Beachcomber SC, a luxury hotel company.
LA Mansion
Brando owned a mansion on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills. In 1969, Jack Nicholson purchased the neighboring property. After Brando's death, Nicholson bought his property from the Brando family for $6.1 million, transforming it into a lawn and pool area.
