5 Things You Never Knew About Yul Brynner for His 105th Birthday
There was no one quite like Yul Brynner. With his commanding presence and unmistakable bald head, the Russian-born actor became a force in both Hollywood and Broadway. Born on July 11, 1920, in Vladivostok, he reinvented himself more than once, weaving together a life that spanned cultures and careers.
Even decades after his passing on October 10, 1985, he remains one of the most enigmatic and unforgettable stars of the 20th century. In honor of his birthday, let’s learn some interesting facts about the star:
1 He played the King of Siam more than 4,600 times
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Most actors might dream of playing a role once or twice on Broadway, but Brynner made The King and I his own. After shaving his head for the original 1951 production, he kept the look for life and performed the role a staggering 4,625 times across multiple productions per the New York Times. He won both a Tony and an Oscar for it, making him one of the few actors ever to earn both for the same part. Even when facing a cancer diagnosis, he continued performing as the King until just a few months before his death. His final performance in June 1985 was a special one, honoring his remarkable run. Four months later, he was sadly gone.
2 He was a young circus acrobat in France
Everett Collection
Long before he became famous in Hollywood, Brynner was flying through the air under a circus tent. At just 16, he joined a French circus troupe and trained as a trapeze artist — until a fall nearly ended his life and left him bedridden for months. That brush with danger might explain why he was so fearless in the roles he took on. From Pharaohs to gunmen to killer androids, Brynner never backed down from a bold character, crediting that awful experience from when he was young for shaping his life view.
3 His friendship with Jean Cocteau opened unexpected doors
Everett Collection
While in Paris as a young man, Brynner crossed paths with poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, who introduced him to the city’s bohemian elite. Through Cocteau, he met great artists including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Josephine Baker. Cocteau saw something magnetic in the young Russian and encouraged his artistic pursuits. That encouragement, mixed with Brynner’s natural charm, helped lay the foundation for a career that was anything but conventional. Tell us in the comments which role you think he played best!
4 His anti-smoking message left a powerful legacy
Brynner started smoking at age 12 and quit decades later, but the damage had already been done. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 1983, he chose to use his final months to make a statement. Just before his death, he recorded a public service announcement warning others not to smoke. The ad aired shortly after his passing and featured Brynner looking directly into the camera, saying, “Now that I’m gone, I tell you: Don’t smoke, whatever you do. Just don’t smoke,” according to the Los Angeles Times. The message was later credited with saving many lives.
5 He inspired some unexpected pop culture icons
Everett Collection
Comic book artist Jack Kirby used Brynner’s image as the inspiration for Professor X in the X-Men comics and fans of Stephen Malkmus might recognize the Brenner references (and audio sample!) in the song “Jo Jo’s Jacket.” It’s rare for a movie star to show up in both musicals and science fiction, but Brynner did it all. From inspiring Marvel characters to outwitting tourists in Westworld, his legacy continues in ways he probably never imagined.
Remind Puzzler Villains
Vol 1, Issue 8
TV villains usually drive the plot, are the center of attention, can say and do anything and often have more charisma than the good guys. Where would Dallas be without J.R.? Dynasty without Alexis? The Walking Dead without The Governor or Negan? This issue is packed with puzzles, games and trivia all centered around your favorite TV villains.
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