Burt Lancaster

Birthday: 2 November 1913, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name: Burton Stephen Lancaster

Height: 185 cm

Burt Lancaster, one of five children, was born in Manhattan, to Elizabeth (Roberts) and James Henry Lancaster, a postal worker. All of his grandparents were immigrants from Northern Ireland. He was a tough street kid who took an early interest in gymnastics. He joined the circus as an acrobat and worked there until he was injured. It was in the Army during WW II that he was introduced to the USO and acting. His first film was The Killers (1946), and that made him a star. He was a self-taught actor who learned the business as he went along. He set up his own production company in 1948 with Harold Hecht and James Hill to direct his career. He played many different roles in pictures as varied as The Crimson Pirate (1952), From Here to Eternity (1953), Elmer Gantry (1960) and Atlantic City, USA (1980).His production company, Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, produced such films as Paddy Chayefsky's Marty (1955) (Oscar winner 1955) and The Catered Affair (1956). In the 1980s he appeared as a supporting player in a number of movies, such as Local Hero (1983) and Field of Dreams (1989). However, it will be the sound of his voice, the way that he laughed, and the larger-than-life characters he played that will always be remembered. Show less «

Life is to be lived within the limits of your knowledge and within the concept of what you would lik...Show more »

Life is to be lived within the limits of your knowledge and within the concept of what you would like to see yourself to be. Show less «

[advice to actor Bruce Davison, on the set of Ulzana's Raid (1972)] You try to please the director, ...Show more »

[advice to actor Bruce Davison, on the set of Ulzana's Raid (1972)] You try to please the director, and the cameraman and the soundman, and you're acting and acting and acting and by the time you come to your close-up, you've shot your wad. It's like making love to a woman: you can't try to come all at once, son. A bit of a tit here, a bit of an inner thigh there, and you have a performance! Show less «

[in 1976] Whether you like it or not, when you're 62 you are fulfilled.

[in 1985] If anyone should have gotten AIDS from an active sex life, it is me.

In my opinion, Shirley Booth is the finest actress I have ever worked with.

[on working with Montgomery Clift on From Here to Eternity (1953)] The only time I was ever really a...Show more »

[on working with Montgomery Clift on From Here to Eternity (1953)] The only time I was ever really afraid as an actor was that first scene with Clift. It was my scene, understand: I was the sergeant, I gave the orders, he was just a private under me. Well, when we started, I couldn't stop my knees from shaking. I thought they might have to stop because my trembling would show. I was afraid he was going to blow me right off the screen. Show less «

[on being a director] It's the best job in the picture business because when you're a director, you'...Show more »

[on being a director] It's the best job in the picture business because when you're a director, you're God. And you know that's the best job in town. Show less «

[In 1984 about his career] When I think of my least favorite, I think of Rope of Sand (1949). I did ...Show more »

[In 1984 about his career] When I think of my least favorite, I think of Rope of Sand (1949). I did that thing under great duress. I hated it. Show less «

[on Go Tell the Spartans (1978)] One of the best scripts I've read and certainly the best I've had f...Show more »

[on Go Tell the Spartans (1978)] One of the best scripts I've read and certainly the best I've had for myself in a few years. Show less «

[upon being offered Ben-Hur (1959)] I don't want to make this film. It's a piece of crap.

We're all forgotten sooner or later. But not films. That's all the memorial we should need or hope f...Show more »

We're all forgotten sooner or later. But not films. That's all the memorial we should need or hope for. Show less «

I woke up one day a star. It was terrifying. Then I worked hard toward becoming a good actor.

If I'm working with frightened people, I do tend to dominate them. I'm no doll, that's for sure.

[on Kirk Douglas] Kirk would be the first to admit that he's difficult to work with - and I would be...Show more »

[on Kirk Douglas] Kirk would be the first to admit that he's difficult to work with - and I would be the second. Show less «

[on Kirk Douglas] We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both yo...Show more »

[on Kirk Douglas] We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both young, brash, cocky, arrogant. We knew everything, were highly opinionated. We were invincible. Nobody liked us. Show less «

[speaking in 1983] Tits and sand - that's what we used to call sex and violence in Hollywood.

[on Montgomery Clift] He had so much power, so much concentration. Clift was a complicated man, ther...Show more »

[on Montgomery Clift] He had so much power, so much concentration. Clift was a complicated man, there's no question about it. He was a very sweet man, Monty, very emotional. Show less «

Genius is a pretty dangerous thing to have. Genius is too erratic. It's better just to be talented.

I don't know why Airport (1970) was nominated for any Oscars - it's the biggest piece of junk ever.

Most people seem to think I'm the kind of guy who shaves with a blowtorch. Actually I'm bookish and ...Show more »

Most people seem to think I'm the kind of guy who shaves with a blowtorch. Actually I'm bookish and worrisome. Show less «