Marlon Brando, an iconic figure of the Golden Age of Hollywood, left an indelible mark on the film industry with his powerful acting style and penchant for rebellious characters. His breakthrough came in the 1950s when he portrayed the memorable Stanley Kowalski in the film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. Brando gained a reputation as his career progressed for his eccentricity, which extended to the sets of his movie projects.
One notable example is his behavior during the production of the 1996 film, The Island of Dr. Moreau. Stories abound of Brando’s outlandish conduct on set, including donning all-white face paint and wearing an ice bucket affixed to his head. The actor also formed a strong bond with a co-actor on the sets.
Marlon Brando Developed A Strong Attachment To Nelson de la Rosa
The year 1996 saw Marlon Brando’s notable appearance in the science fiction horror film, The Island of Dr. Moreau, adapted from H.G. Wells’ acclaimed novel. Alongside an impressive ensemble cast that included Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, and David Thewlis, Brando’s involvement brought both anticipation and challenges to the production.
According to BuzzFeed’s report, during the filming of The Island of Dr. Moreau, Marlon Brando was frequently found secluded in his trailer, indulging in copious amounts of pizza. When he did emerge to portray the role of the eccentric scientist Dr. Moreau, Brando deviated from the script and discarded the prepared dialogue. Instead, he embarked on a spree of improvisation, opting for a unique choice of attire that included all-white face paint and a dress as part of his character’s costume.
Moreover, Brando formed a deep bond with his co-star, Nelson de la Rosa, a Dominican actor known for being one of the shortest men of the past two centuries. According to director John Frankenheimer’s recollection,
“Brando absolutely fell in love with this guy. He put him on his chest in the hammock and sang ‘Frog Went A-Courting’ to him. There was 90 minutes of that. This is all I can persuade Brando to do.'”
Marlon Brando Lived A Fascinating Life
Despite his legendary status, the latter years of Marlon Brando’s life were marred by personal and professional challenges. He faced numerous legal issues involving his children, which intensified following the devastating loss of his eldest son, Christian Brando.
Despite these difficulties, Brando continued to mentor several Hollywood stars, with Johnny Depp being one of them. The two actors even collaborated in the 1994 film Don Juan DeMarco, forging a working relationship that extended beyond the silver screen.
In 2004, at 80, Marlon Brando passed away, leaving behind a complex and multifaceted legacy that continues to ignite passionate discussions among fans even today.
The Island of Dr. Moreau is available for rent on Apple TV.
Also Read: John Wick 4 Star Laurence Fishburne Lied About His Age to Bag $100M Marlon Brando Film
Source: Cheatsheet
