| Birth: | Nov. 2, 1913 | | Death: | Oct. 20, 1994 | 
Actor. He was born Burton Stephen Lancaster one of five children in New York City to a postal worker. He was a tough street kid growing up in East Harlem and took an early interest in gymnastics which led him to the circus becoming an acrobat. An injury put an end to his career. He went from the circus to the U.S. Army during World War II serving in North Africa and Italy. Bert Lancaster was recruited to help entertain the troops through acting with the USO. He was a self taught actor who learned as he went along. Upon discharge, he headed for Hollywood. His rugged athletic appearance landed him a tough guy role at the late age of 32 in the movie The Killers opposite Ava Gardner. He was on the way with a series of adventure movies such as The Crimson Pirate and then proved his acting ability in From Here to Eternity. The Sweet Smell of Success followed then the blockbuster Elmer Gantry based on the life of Billie Sunday the famous Chicago Evangelist where he won the best actor Oscar. He continued acting in his later years while earning his fourth Oscar nomination with Atlantic City. Burt Lancaster set up his own production company hiring experts to direct his career. He produced Marty which won the Oscar in 1955. He appeared as a supporting player in a number of his productions: Local Hero and Field of Dreams were the best. Among his last films were Rocket Gibraltar (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989). His final performance was in the made for TV movie Separate but equal (1991). He suffered a debilitating stroke and died from a heart attack three years later in his Los Angeles home. The prolific actor was gone at the age of eighty but not after a career where he was linked to hundreds of movies in various roles, either as a writer, director, producer, a major starring actor or simply making a guest appearance on a TV mini series and even doing special roles as a narrator. Burt Lancaster was a one-man gang. He was cremated with his ashes interred in Westwood Memorial Park with a small square ground plaque marking the burial spot. In accordance with his wishes, he had no memorial or funeral service. (bio by: Donald Greyfield (inactive))
Family links:
Parents:
James Henry "Jim" Lancaster (1876 - 1961)
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Roberts Lancaster (1876 - 1929)
Spouses:
Norma Marie Anderson Lancaster (1917 - 1988)
Norma Mari Anderson Lancaster (1917 - 1988)*
Children:
William Henry Lancaster (1947 - 1997)*
*Calculated relationship
Cause of death: Heart attack after suffering a stroke
Search Amazon for Burt Lancaster | | | Burial:
Westwood Memorial Park
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County
California, USA
GPS (lat/lon): 34.05856, -118.44061 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 1835 |
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