Burt Lancaster: Daring To Reach | The Hollywood Collection

Subscribe for more Hollywood biographies and stories! bit.ly/Hollywoo...
Burt Lancaster went from street-wise tough to art-collector liberal-activist, from circus-acrobat hunk to Academy Award winner.
Born November 2, 1913, Burton Stephen Lancaster, later “Burt Lancaster” was one of five children of a New York City postal worker. Burt recalled family life as warm and mutually supportive.
At the Union Settlement House, he and boyhood friend Nick Cravat formed an acrobatic team. By eighteen, Burt was 6’2″ and blessed with the athletic physique and dynamic good looks that helped make him famous. A basketball scholarship was not enough to keep him in NYU beyond his sophomore year.
That’s when he and the 5’2″ Cravat joined a circus, earning $3 weekly between them. A stint in the Army introduced Burt to acting and led him to Hollywood where his first release, The Killers (1946), propelled him to stardom at age 32. He took control of his own career and seldom faltered. He was married three times and had five children.
Upon his death in 1994, four-time Academy Award-nominated Burt Lancaster was acknowledged as one of the greatest stars in the Hollywood firmament. Lancaster’s films include Westerns, Costume Epics and serious Contemporary Dramas. There were the swashbucklers like The Crimson Pirate (1952), and also more risky roles, like the aging alcoholic in Come Back Little Sheba (1952).

[@ThomasSellers]

One of my favorite actors ever. Burt Lancaster not only pushed the envelope in every film project he did, he even licked the stamps before sending the envelope COD! He's hardcore like that, and became better and better as an actor and a person, challenging himself and his audience so that we can be better too in our own lives. He could do a tough guy action film like Scorpio, then do an episode on Sesame Street on the side, because he believed in children even while doing grownup stuff. He was one of a kind. And despite this being the year 2020, his kind is still out there. There is a little bit of old buddy Burt...in all of us, if we dig deep inside. RIP to a legend, and one of the most decent men ever to push the envelope of what's creatively possible.

[@mariaevans5793]

Wonderful words !!!!!!!😊🇬🇧

[@josephdegennaro6819]

Much better than I could write. I dont know what it is about him. His sincerity just shows thru. I have favorites, he is one. Top ten ever. In my opinion.

[@emmalancaster2013]

I liked that he was so devoted to civil rights!

[@CarolanIvey]

Many years ago he was a guest on the Phil Donahue show. For an hour he stood on a stage in the center of the audience, and held them spellbound just with his presence, just talking about his life and career. I will never forget it.

[@ebriggs3498]

I remember that show; so very interesting!

[@bernierees3084]

His presence was formidable so softly spoken always love the way he spoke.

[@6lr6ak6]

He sure had magnetism, great man and actor.

[@mariaevans5793]

I wish I had seen him live !!!!!!!😊🇬🇧

[@kareneberts9765]

I was born in 1949, the first picture I remember seeing Burt in was the Crimson Pirate , I thought he was the perfect man, I wish I could have met him. He was amazing, the perfect man-hero, I was heart broken when he passed away. I hope he was happy, I loved him.

[@emmalancaster2013]

You have great taste!

[@jrhamp]

One of the best films of Burt Lancaster was The Train...so well done! These actors of Lancaster's times will not be forgotten compared to today's screen headliners..they were simply the best!

[@nataliedelagrandiere4022]

You are right. And I don't go to the movies anymore.

[@dianejens7054]

The Train - You are so right jrhamp

[@emmalancaster2013]

I liked that one a lot. Also, “Criss Cross.” We had a videotape of some silly movie he made called, “His Majesty the King,” I think. My sister and I would rewatch certain scenes over & over, because he was so beautiful in them.

[@PhilipCBooth]

I love the train a great film

[@m0nkey13]

I still remember the way he ran in that movie, like no one else, arms pumping, like a locomotive.

[@Broonzied]

I used to love watching Burt's movies as a kid. He always exuded a quiet strength, a strength that came from a good place. He made you feel that with people like him in the world that things would always turn out right. If ever you got in a tight spot then Burt is the guy you would want with you, and if he wasn't there, then you could always try to do what you thought he might do. I wanted to be a man like Burt and I can't pay him a bigger compliment than that.

[@6lr6ak6]

Great comment.

[@kazkazzie3906]

So true.

[@davidmedeiros2856]

Same here. I think he and people from that generation ( my grandparents) were just so resilient and TOUGH! Mentally and physically. They grew up hard with very little but were always positive. And the the things they lived thru and still kept going is what inspires me!

[@iowabettyg]

Burt was such an exceptional, handsome, charasmatic, serious, sensitive, romantic, lead actor. What a voice and mannerisms. My favorite films are: FIELD OF DREAMS, BIRMAN OF ALCATRZ, HERE TO ETERNITY, TRAPEZE...boy could he move in the air!! Just way to many to list. Burt really miss you; you had a special gift, and you worked well with Tony Curtis. Betty Gordon, Iowa fan forever ...

[@ricky5884]

There will never be any tough guys like Burt ever. The present-day actors are sissies in the presence of such a powerful actor. He did tough guy roles and he was one in his real life too. I grew up watching him and admiring him as a tough guy. I wanted to be one like him. He did most of his stunts on the screen.

[@Fedora5957]

Vera Cruz, The Professionals, From Here To Eternity, and the Crimson Pirate-- shear Magic. Some of the best movies ever made all because of Burt, Oh, also THE TRAIN!

[@kathypeaseleers1837]

I loved Birdman of Alcatraz also xx

[@reneemallicone6839]

He was a Beautiful Man with a Beautiful Mind. He's what's missing from the last 50 years. A real man. They're not made like that anymore.

[@normansmithers7631]

apparently he did not get along with the beautiful jean peters when filming 'apache' but the director didn't mind the tension between the two as it brought out the best in them. hard to imagine anyone disliking jean peters, although she might have been dating millionaire howard hughes around that time, but i'm not sure about that.

[@jtooley6554]

O baby

[@DavidChapman-hu2eq]

Never seen him in a bad film in truth probably one of the best ever fantastic. Thanks burt. Im67 now and you've entertained me all my life see ya there😅

[@zerstreutful]

Burt Lancaster was my childhood hero. Absolutely!

[@Tiberius291]

Huge fan of Burt Lancaster, I could watch him in almost anything, loved his acting style, Burt Lancaster and Sidney Poitier my two favorite actors from that era.

[@mysticgold1947]

An original artist so talented so intelligent so honest!!! When I was little girl I love his MOVIES ..I sensed he was so handsome and so good in acting...A very creative actor. so full of Energy and inner beauty!! I love him...He was ahead of his time ,he born with a natural HISTRIONIC power!! Great great!!!. He also was a generous actor he gives himself in each character and he was always polishing his acting skills..!!!..Thank you for this biography!!!

[@pascualhernandez4949]

ONE OF MY ALL TIME SUPER MOVIE STAR IN ANY ROLE BURT LANCASTER

[@chuckabutty888]

This is the best documentary about actors that I have ever seen. What a man.

[@mauricedrew3150]

An amazing human. I was surprised to learn he didn't become a star until he was 32!

[@jodyhunter9044]

always has been, and always will be my first and foremost favorite actor. Omg, what a man.

[@soniag295]

Burt Lancaster!! You were definitely a force to be reckoned with..love your movie's...one of the best actor's of all times..

[@tomdream1452]

Burt was the one who does the job done .all his film was great.

[@barrygioportmorien1]

My favourite actor of all time. Burt had such a presence on screen, and along with all of the other great movies he made, he made some of the best Westerns ever in his later career, that he doesn't get the credit he deserves for how good they were..... Ulzana's Raid" "Lawman" "Valdez Is Coming" all made in 1971 and "The Scalp Hunters" in 1968.....And the Professionals was also a fantastic movie of Burt's, with an exceptional cast. I loved "Vera Cruz" and of course "Gunfight at the OK Corral".

[@biakabutooka]

barrygioportmorien1 Don't forget APACHE and THE UNFORGIVEN.

[@biakabutooka]

barrygioportmorien1 And THE RAINMAKER.

[@markmeade478]

same here, one of the greatest, total class, great films......

[@gulammuhammad4106]

When u Burt in a movie, u know damn sure u gonna see one heck of movie.he had everything everything he was God gift to the movie Screen period.

[@1171]

My favorite person as an actor he was beautiful

[@rollandemarie74]

ONE OF OUR GREATS

[@coskuntoktamis]

GREAT MAN AND AN ACTOR. I LIKED HIM VERY MUCH.

[@macmdpd]

AMEN@@@@@@@@!!!

[@ErikTobiason]

Burt Landcaster was exceptional in the classic European circus movie "'Trapeze" with both Tony Curtis and my favorite Signora Gina Lollobrigida. In hard to duplicate scenes, Burt and Gina performed many of their own stunts on the trapeze and made the movie a classic gem. Gina is still alive and .. and doing well by all accounts... and will be 92 years old next July 4th.

[@heatherr0420]

I got to watch more of Burt Lancaster's movies

[@bettyburke8653]

Always loved him

[@preteristlab-endtimes5683]

Burt was such a wonderfully authentic and original bloke - man's man .... and the beautiful Tina's just made a new fan too!!

[@dannylin597]

PRETERIST LAB - END TIMES you son of bitch

[@havardgorden7256]

PRETERIST LAB - END TIMES

[@CherylSimser]

What a man! I watched everything he did with great enjoyment. His character portrayals were amazing.

[@preteristlab-endtimes5683]

O thank you thank you thank you.

[@patiencelord5383]

burt lancaster pirate movies

[@orchardist6559]

"Sweet Smell Of Success" -"Elmer Gantry". Just 2 fabulous performances. 100% Recommended.

[@rosalindchu7588]

Burt is a success story. A man with much substance. Loved him when I was a child in the fifties n continued to love his movies in the sixties….he‘s far more superior than many actors of his time and a good man. Rest in Peace, Burt!

[@katiezee2]

I think The Swimmer is an under-appreciated and misunderstood film - partly because it's more metaphoric than linear. I'd read that later in his career he took some roles for the money so that he could later choose what he really wanted. . The Swimmer was one he did for the love of it.

[@stanleywheeler404]

I agree with u completely about that !! I remember that movie The Swimmer! It was a great movie and only Burt Lancaster could do that role!!l

[@AstralPixie]

I really agree with you about "The Swimmer".

[@marinakaye8284]

I really like that movie. It resonated with me how he threw away what mattered , his wife and kids, and doing a kind of penance ends up alone, (nearly naked in that ubiquitous swim suit!) sobbing at the door of the locked empty house, cold and alone.Gets me every time!

[@alysencameron361]

It's one of the few movies worth watching. The other is "12 Angry Men".

[@6lr6ak6]

Yr so right,

[@TheVatonaught]

I enjoyed Nick's role in the Pirate film and always wondered if he made it big...he looked like a very professional actor...terrific physical talent.

[@1171]

That's a handsome talented man great actor!

[@dubchile]

I really enjoyed that. I guess I grew up with him and his fellow actors, that's why 💖

[@gaylecheung3087]

My one of my favourite actors simply beautiful great actor... Pure perfection

[@irenegronewald7745]

wow....what a man....thank you

[@MiracleBaby1987]

Loving and enjoying how they are describing Burt, as an avid reader!

[@williamdufour4826]

He was an outstanding actor/performer.

[@zuzellogan5613]

Burt Lancaster was an icon in Hollywood. He had the looks and the brain to perform in movies. He was a brilliant actor who could play any role, and was a very handsome, macho, masculine man with a beautiful smile. God bless his soul always because men like Burt, it is hard to find. They don’t make them anymore which is sad, and Burt Lancaster was unique, talented, charismatic, versatile actor who is irreplaceable. Love the video, it is awesome 👏. Thank you for sharing it.

[@doreekaplan2589]

Yeah he was great...........gone now...........for me, alive today is Giancarlo Gianinni who also has a sense of humor

[@redwandennaoui4508]

One of my favourite actors of all time…

[@johnreidy2804]

@@redwandennaoui4508 He overacted in many films. If you want to talk Burt, Reynalds was better

[@redwandennaoui4508]

@@johnreidy2804 I do enjoy Burt’s movies…

[@johnreidy2804]

@@redwandennaoui4508 Yes! Burt Reynalds was highly underrated as an actor.

[@speedracer1945]

Such a great actor , that grin and being so athletic . He and Kirk Douglas were like the Sly and Arnold of the 50's and 60's but with much more talent . In the film the Train he broke his leg and they wrote it in as a gunshot to explain the limp . Vera Cruz and the Professionals and even the Scalphunters were excellent Westerns . He always gave a great performance to the end . I watched Brute Force the other day .

[@waynej2608]

Man, Brute Force was the shit!! Burt and Hume Cronyn were just brilliant!

[@barrygioportmorien1]

Add "Ulzana's Raid' "Lawman" "Valdez is Coming" "Gunfight At The OK Corral" all exceptionally entertaining.

[@bettyflipkowski235]

Speed Racer w

[@debbiedaniels553]

Burt was a little bit of everything... He was a fine actor (2019)

[@barbram8001]

Wonderful actor.

[@sconner6822]

Could play a variety of roles. Great actor

[@jeanninehornsby6318]

I HAD A BIG CRUSH ON BURT REYNOLDS. HE WAS HANDSOME, SMART AND A GREAT ACTOR. FIRST TIME I SAW HIM, HE WAS ON A TRAMBOLINE. WOW. LOVED ALL HIS MOVIES AND HIS ACTING. WHENEVER I COULD I SAW ALL HIS MOVIES. MISSED.

[@alexandramassey9258]

What did you think about Burt Lancaster

[@CraigWinstanley1]

I admire this man very much. A role-model. Everything said in this dedication video is perfect! Thanks!

[@fasteddie9055]

Burt attended the Commander Shea Catholic School on E. 111 St in East Harlem and he completed his elementary schooling there. The edifice still exits today. I wonder if Burt ever remembers the old days back in East Harlem. It's always been a tough neighborhood. But in 2022, the rents outside of the NYCHA projects have skyrocketed causing a mass exodus of the poor to the Bronx since the early 70s. There are plenty of new luxury buildings, but that is strictly for the Manhattan yuppies that moved uptown after the mid 80s.

[@ruthrogers808]

Burt Lancaster reminds me a bit like Tony Robbins.🌹💓😘💕☘️April one pm I miss March. Safe Good Friday...everyone.🕊

[@thegreyman7449]

All the talents gone now!

[@garynewton3301]

I loved him in Valdez is coming.

[@plugger4945]

One of the Mexicans that was chasing him asks-"When did you scout Apaces?" Valdez;"Before I know BETTER!" One Cool line!

[@lornaginetteharrison414]

I'm not exactly sure how I found myself here watching this insightful documentary. Biographies aren't usually my thing, so I was surprised to find this in my suggested YT videos list, but I'm so glad it was! What a great bloke! Yes, I already knew he was a fantastic actor, but it seems he was an even better person - passionate about many subjects, very intelligent, generous, down-to-earth & a wonderfully loyal friend. Thank you KZbin algorithm for somehow knowing me a little better than I know myself - although that's also kinda scary!! (What else has YT determined about me based on my previous viewing habits? The mind boggles!) Anyhow, a thoroughly enjoyable video nonetheless! And cheers to 'The Hollywood' for the upload! (BTW: Apologies for my overuse of exclamation marks throughout this comment! Whoops, there's another one...or seven!!)

[@bradthorson1782]

No mention of John Frankenheimer's The Train! Burt was fantastic in that.

[@katieohara3222]

So handsome, talented, sexy. Love him in all movies, especially the physical roles.

[@Rudipolt]

Thanks Aloha from Hawaii

[@bethbartlett5692]

*Ranked right up there with Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster was absolutely a real Actor, one whom could "interpret the energy of a role, with precision".* Charlton Heston and Burt Lancaster would share a 1st place in ranking male actors of the era. ... and Burt was Irish, ya gotta love that, it is fabulous, proud heritage.. ☘️ 🇮🇪 ☘️

[@gunterangel]

Indeed, all four grandparents had emigrated from Ireland to the USA, but his maternal grandparents had been actually descendants of English dissenters ( English Protestants ), who had colonised Ireland as part of the Plantation of Ulster.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Heston was an imposing presence but he wasn't much of an actor. Lancaster on the other hand was a master of his craft.

[@truecynic1270]

A real man

[@MiracleBaby1987]

Mr. Burt Lancaster, he was handsome, and he was witty,funny. He knew how to get the attention that he wanted from the audience.

[@danielodonnell3902]

Loved every minute of this tribute.

[@janetp7583]

He was an actor. He played heroes and villains and odd balls. Not like today's "stars" who seem to thing that they are who they play.

[@mitchlancaster566]

When I was 15 I met Chuck Connors and his two boys in tehachapi California, and I just found out that Burt Lancaster helped Chuck Connors on his first movie,

[@idic5]

just saw elmer gantry and loved it and his performance. I said ' he had to have won best oscar for this and sure enough, he did. He was up against some great performances , too, that yr - Lemmon in the The Apt ( great movie), and Inherit the WInd, Tracy

[@biakabutooka]

idic5 Also I believe Laurence Olivier in "The Entertainer" was 1960.

[@waynej2608]

@@biakabutooka which would've been Burt's biggest competition, that year. But, they got it right, in the end.

[@genesis1765]

God he was a good looking guy. seriously talented

[@jacibledsoe657]

One of my favorite rolls was a German judge in The Judgement in Nuremburg which was also Spencer Tracy's last film.

[@robbynholmes9507]

Actually, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"was Spencer Tracy's last film. He died within a few days after it was completed.

[@walterpalmer2749]

Also, “Ulzana’s Raid” is a Lancaster western worth seeing. A personal favorite. Try it.

[@biakabutooka]

Walter Palmer In my opinion it's a classic,Walter.Superb script by Alan Sharpe and fine direction by Aldrich.A terrific Western,utterly,unfairly overlooked.

[@georgcorfu]

A very handsome man!

[@iandickson1330]

What a great man I loved most of his movies the film the train I think was brilliant thanks for all these movies Burt from wid

[@chetomartinez9183]

You man you're singing good you write you own music I love your music keep up playing own music👀😍

[@genniejefferson6588]

yes the greatest actor

[@HartmutJagerArt]

ONE of the greatest actors ! No OME is The Greatest actor !

[@BritishIndiaHeritageTour]

Thank you.

[@BobJones-dq9mx]

No doubt, a superstar! The only movie that I think he was totally mis-casted was "Judgement at Nurnburg".

[@HartmutJagerArt]

Not according to the critics !

[@jameshutchins6077]

Every time I watched Burt Lancaster play a role, I saw what I believed was a real man p,aging a great role. Multi Talented actor.

[@emmalancaster2013]

Oui, oui!

[@Bamboule05]

Wow. This documentary by itself is already 26 years old...

[@January.]

*This documentary was made 26 years ago.

[@sarahaprincesa]

Legend❤️

[@kellielaine5848]

Lancaster was terrific in Rocket Gibralter, too.

[@jodyhunter9044]

In the opening scene, with the sails behind him, in The Crimson Pirate....just looking at him .....omg.

[@robertfreedman6651]

Ulzana's Raid -- tough gritty western with Burt. Burt -- DeWitt Clinton H.S., Bronx, NY.

[@chroniclesofalivingdeadgirl]

I love The Swimmer. He was perfect there

[@JuanGonzales-zq2fh]

great burt agile strong top actor.

[@dabdella1460]

Very inpressive body of work I watched his movies and it was a surprise every time who you would get.

[@elainebmack]

"Elmer Gantry", "Sweet Smell of Success", "The Swimmer", "Atlantic City", "Come Back Little Sheba".

[@biakabutooka]

E Mack To name just a few.

[@waynej2608]

He should've got another Oscar, for Atlantic City. Imho.

[@waynej2608]

Oh, and if I had my druthers, he'd have received one for Sweet Smell of Success, even though he was, amazingly, not nominated. What a crock, he wasn't. I love that film. Burt and Tony Curtis are all kinds of terrific! J.J.- Don't jump off the gang plank, Sidney, you may want to get back on board Sidney-..don't worry, J.J., the cat's in the bag, and the bag is in the river. J.J.- Don't be a two time loser, Sidney. The penalty could be severe. Only two New Yorkers like those two could've done those characters justice. What a casting coup. Clifford Odetts wrote brilliantly, but he must've been pleased as punch, to witness Lancaster and Curtis totally embodying the two leads, he created dialogue for.

[@gaetaneguitard7011]

So good actor. The rain maker.

[@AstralPixie]

They don't make 'em like they used to.

[@noillucs3392]

Why were none of his children being interviewed in this? It seems odd that his friend's daughter is, yet there are none of his children making a contribution. Am I missing something?

[@Yobbie72]

He divorced their mother....I wonder if that had something to do with it?

[@alysencameron361]

You're missing their choice not to be involved for their own reasons.

[@CherylSimser]

Burt, himself, was very private and probably instilled that same privacy in his children.

[@michaelward9880]

Burt Lancaster was so toxicaly masculine. Thank God!

[@LorenzPTews]

how very private and lovely rhonda fleming spoke of him: let me tell you something ... but when you have been kissed by burt, you have been kissed. what a blessed character.

[@carlomiller1984]

i never knew that burt lancaster was an Irish-American. a great talent.

[@johnlavery6116]

Yes his grandparents came from my part of Ireland....Greetings from Ireland

[@gulammuhammad4106]

Burt is one of the kind GOD don't make his kind any more. Period

[@HartmutJagerArt]

God has nothing to do with it !

[@beaulotterman8347]

My first. Movie to be on was JIm THORP, ALL AMERICAN. I was 9 years old living in Venice ,ca. The scene was near the end of film of boys were playing sand lot foot ball and Jim was driving a truck and ran over our football.

[@aval6601]

The man of my dreams! 😍

[@emmalancaster2013]

Hotter than Georgia asphalt on the Fourth of July. One of the most gorgeous men who ever lived.

[@sue3745]

Always the heart throb.

[@josephinerimmer6888]

I loved him in The Swimmer, I felt so sorry for him at the end.

[@bettyflipkowski235]

Josephine Rimmer #

[@ypaulbrown]

One Great Actor......

[@EJStormful]

He was the greatest Rubberneck in history.

[@ألباشق-د4ه]

ممثل محبوب بارع في قوي الشخصيه جميل في ابتسامته

[@ibrahimabdullah7793]

IT'S GREAT SEE FAMILY OF GREAT MAN ,

[@giuseppefortunato1101]

Bravissimo attore, simpatico e molto atletico..

[@karenlatino8942]

No one ever mentions The Devil's Diciple. It was a revolutionary war story with Kirk Douglas. The two were awesome together.

[@davidamichaele869]

if anyone ever wants to get a feel of what films have bin about from one actor, no one tops bert lancaster or done that better for diversity in the part played . THAT was his icon thing . he made every part he played special.

[@davidamichaele869]

i have to revise this if anyone ever wants to get a feel of what films have bin about from a few actors no one tops bert lancaster , anthoney quinn , richard widmark , and many of my other faverite actors, few done that better for diversity in the part played . THAT was there icon thing . they made every part they played special. its what made them all greate. and we loved them all as a reflection of people we know and knew.