Burt Lancaster
A former circus acrobat who brought a powerful physicality and surprising sensitivity to Hollywood's golden age.
1913–1994 (age 81)·American actor·Birthday: November 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Burt Lancaster's career was built on a foundation of sheer muscular presence, a trait honed not in acting school but as part of a circus acrobat duo. He burst onto the screen in 'The Killers,' his athleticism and sharp grin instantly marking him as a new kind of leading man. Unwilling to be typecast as just a brute, he leveraged his early fame to form one of Hollywood's first independent production companies, giving him control to seek out complex, morally ambiguous roles. This ambition led him to a string of daring performances, from the slick evangelist in 'Elmer Gantry,' for which he won an Oscar, to the aging convict in 'Birdman of Alcatraz' and the weary academic in 'The Swimmer.' Lancaster redefined masculine vulnerability, proving that a strong man's deepest battles are often internal.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Burt was born in 1913, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Burt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1913
Burt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1913Born
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1918Started school
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1926Became a teenager
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1929Could drive
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1931Could vote
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1934Turned 21
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1943Turned 30
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 40
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 50
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 60
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 70
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 80
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1994Died at 81
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the title character in 'Elmer Gantry.'
- Co-founded the independent production company Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, which gave actors greater creative control.
- Received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Robert Stroud in 'Birdman of Alcatraz,' a role requiring significant physical transformation.
- Starred in and produced the socially conscious drama 'Sweet Smell of Success,' now considered a classic film noir.
Did You Know?
He was an accomplished gymnast and performed in the circus with his former partner Nick Cravat.
He turned down the lead role in 'Ben-Hur,' which later went to Charlton Heston.
He was a staunch liberal and was investigated by the FBI for his political activities during the McCarthy era.
He performed many of his own stunts throughout his career, including the famous trapeze scenes in 'The Crimson Pirate.'
““I am not a star. I am an actor. A star is just a piece of candy, but an actor is a human being who creates.””
