Yul Brynner in The Ten Commandments
Yul Brynner was born Yuliy Borisovich Bryner in 1920. He began
acting and modeling in his twenties, and early in his career he was
photographed nude by George Platt Lynes. After his radio work during
World War II, Brynner moved into the nascent television industry, directing and
acting in live productions in New York. In 1949 Brynner made his film debut in Port of New York, his only film
with his natural head of hair.
His best-known role remains that of King Mongkut of
Siam in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The King and I, which he played
4,525 times on stage over the span of his career. He appeared in the original
production and later touring productions, as well as a 1977 Broadway revival,
London Production in 1979 and another Broadway revival in 1985. He also
appeared in the film version for which he won an Academy Award as Best
Actor, and in a short-lived TV version (Anna and the King) on
CBS in 1972. Brynner is one of only nine people who have won both a Tony
Award and an Academy Award for the same role. His connection to the
story and the role of King Mongkut is so deep, he was mentioned in the song
"One Night in Bangkok" from the 1984 musical Chess, whose second act is set
in Bangkok.
In 1951, Brynner shaved his head for his role in The King and I. Following the
huge success of the Broadway production and subsequent film, Brynner continued
to shave his head for the rest of his life, though he would sometimes wear a
wig for certain roles. Brynner's shaved head was very unusual at the time, and
his striking appearance helped to give him an iconic appeal. Some fans shaved off
their hair to emulate him, and a shaved head is often referred to as the
"Yul Brynner look".
Brynner made an immediate impact upon launching his film career in
1956, appearing not only in The
King and I that year, but
also in major roles in The Ten
Commandments with Charlton Heston and Anastasia with Ingrid
Bergman. Brynner, at 5'10", was reportedly concerned about being
overshadowed by Heston's height and physical presence in The Ten Commandments and prepared with an intensive
weight-lifting program.
He later starred in films such as the Biblical epic Solomon and Sheba (1959), The Magnificent Seven (1960), Taras Bulba (1962), and Kings of the Sun (1963).
He co-starred with Marlon Brando in Morituri (1965),
Katherine Hepburn in The
Madwoman of Chaillot (1969) and William Shatner in a film version
of The Brothers Karamazov (1958).
He played the titular role of The
Ultimate Warrior (1975) and starred with Barbara Bouchet in Death Rage (1976). Among
his final feature film appearances were in Michael Crichton's Westworld (1973)
and its sequel Futureworld (1976).
Brynner also appeared in drag (as a torch singer), in an unbilled role in the
Peter Sellers comedy The
Magic Christian (1969).
Brynner has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6162
Hollywod Blvd, and his childhood home, in Vladivostok, is now a museum.
In 1952, he received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a
Musical for his portrayal of The King in The
King and I (musical).
He won the 1956 Academy Award for Best Actor for his
portrayal of the King of Siam in The
King and I and made the "Top 10 Stars of the Year" list in
both 1957 and 1958.
In 1985, he received a Special Tony Award honoring his 4,525
performances in The King and I.
