Yul Brynner

Actor

About

Also Known As

Taidje Khan, Youl Bryner

Birth Place

Russia

Born

July 11, 1920

Died

October 10, 1985

Cause of Death

Complications From Cancer

Biography

Filmography

Gli Indesiderabili (1976)

It's Showtime (1976)

Himself

Futureworld (1976)

The Ultimate Warrior (1975)

Westworld (1973)

Le Serpent (1973)

Photos & Videos

View All

Morituri (1965) -- (Movie Clip) You Are Under My Authority

Journey, The (1959) -- (Movie Clip) I Even Mystify Myself

Family & Companions

Virginia Gilmore

Wife

Actor. Married in 1944; divorced.

Claire Bloom

Companion

Actor. Appeared together in two films in 1958; she recounted their relationship in her memoirs.

Doris Kleiner

Wife

Divorced.

Jacqueline de Croisset

Wife

Divorced.

Bibliography

"Yul Brynner: Photographer"

Victoria Brynner (1996)

Notes

Mr Brynner's birthyear was variously reported as 1915, 1917, 1920 and 1922.

Special consultant to United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees in 1960.

Biography

Took up acting after a serious accident curtailed his career as a circus acrobat. Brynner moved to America in 1940, failed a screen test at Universal in 1947 because he looked "too oriental" and gave the first of 4,625 performances (over the course of many revivals) as the King of Siam in the hit Broadway musical "The King & I" in 1951. Brynner recreated the role for the 1956 screen version, winning an Oscar as Best Actor, and subsequently began a successful starring career in filmsTrading on his unidentifiably exotic looks and somewhat imperial manner, Brynner played a succession of royals, secret agents and gunslingers, notably in "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) and "Westworld" (1973).

Filmography

Life Events

1934

Joined French acting troupe

1941

Moved to USA

1947

Failed Universal screen test for looking "too Oriental"

1949

American film acting debut, "Port of New York"

1951

First production of "The King & I" (ran for 1,246 performances)

1956

Recreated his signature role in "The King and I"; received Best Actor Oscar

1960

Co-starred in "The Magnificent Seven"

1973

Played a robot in the sci-fi thriller "Westworld"

1985

Returned to Broadway in "The King & I"

Photo Collections

The Brothers Karamazov - Publicity Art

Here is a specialty drawing created by MGM for newspaper and magazine reproduction to publicize The Brothers Karamazov (1958), starring Yul Brynner, Claire Bloom, and Maria Schell.

The Magnificent Seven - Lobby Cards

Here are a few Lobby Cards from The Magnificent Seven (1960). Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

The Journey - Publicity Stills

Here are a few photos taken to publicize MGM's The Journey (1959), starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Kings of the Sun - Movie Poster

Here is the American One-Sheet Movie Poster from Kings of the Sun (1963), starring Yul Brynner and George Chakiris. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

The Sound and the Fury - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for The Sound and the Fury (1959), starring Joanne Woodward and Yul Brynner. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Futureworld - Pressbook

Here is the original campaign book (pressbook) for AIP's Futureworld (1976). Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater.

Westworld - Movie Poster Art

Here is the original art used for the main ad campaign for MGM's Westworld (1973), starring Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin.

Adios, Sabata - Lobby Card

Here is a Lobby Card from Adios, Sabata (1971), starring Yul Brynner. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Cast a Giant Shadow - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), featuring an all-star cast. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.