Burt Lancaster: An American Life

by Kate Buford

Now in paperback, here is the critically acclaimed, best-selling biography of one of Hollywood's legendary stars. Burt Lancaster is known to audiences around the world as the electrifying performer of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, From Here to Eternity, and Birdman of Alcatraz, among many others. Kate Buford brings to life his vivid, memorable on-screen presence as well as the off-screen life he kept intensely private. The first writer to win cooperation from Lancaster's widow and close friends, Buford has written the intimate story of one of the last great unexamined Hollywood lives, capturing both the golden boy and the husband, philanderer, and sometime bisexual. Buford's portrait is compelling, comprehensive, intelligent—and definitive.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Media Tie In

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

I was born and grew up in California, and later went to school at Trinity College, Dublin, and Columbia. After a first career as a law librarian on Wall Street, I became a writer. BURT LANCASTER: AN AMERICAN LIFE (Knopf, 2000) was my first book, followed by NATIVE AMERICAN SON: THE LIFE AND SPORTING LEGEND OF JIM THORPE (Knopf, 2010). I live in Virginia and New York.

Writing narrative nonfiction is a grueling but rewarding task. My two biographies are serious, literary treatments of iconic Americans performing in two of the most popular American pastimes: the movies and sports. I relish going deep into the psyches and backgrounds of people who may be widely known in the popular culture but not truly understood or respected.

Both Jim Thorpe and Burt Lancaster lived fascinating, eventful lives that left a formative mark on todays sports and movies, respectively. Their pursuit and achievement of excellencewith all the attendant struggles and triumphsis inspiring. And illuminating: popular culture is who we are, and the more we learn about its pioneers the more we can appreciate these universal passions of our timeand thus, ourselves.
"

Reviews

[Andrewh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies of Hollywood actors are often quite dull, as are their subjects, once stripped of their god-like screen mystique (Bogie, for example), but Lancaster's biography is a superb account of the life of a complex and intelligent movie star. I always loved Lancaster for his great, effortless physical grace and power, in such films like Trapeze, Brute Force and Crimson Pirate (all exemplars of what Pauline Kael called 'Hunkus Americanus'). At the same time, he was also brilliant in Sweet Smell of Success, one of the most lacerating portraits of the media ever made (and which he also produced, independently) and in the Leopard, by Visconti, a marxist high priest of European Art House. I cannot imagine many other stars (and he was a very big star) being ready to challenge themselves in this way - the nearest I can imagine to Lancaster is someone like Clooney, but he is not even close. Burt's true life story is almost a Hollywood tale by itself -born into the teeming multitudes of East Harlem in 1913, he ran away to join the circus, became an acrobat and then went into the theatre via the FTP (Federal Theater Ptoject) before bursting onto the screen in the noir thriller The Killers (1946, at age 33), opposite Ava Gardner, no less. From then on, he was making films for another forty years and running his own production company [HHL] for much of the time, as well as pursuing many cultural and political interests (a staunch Democrat and supporter of liberal causes such as the NAACP and Aids charities). The book is no hagiography, though, and he is revealed as a inveterate womaniser, a bully on set, and prone to demonic rages; it also touches on his alleged bisexuality (though it does not give salacious details, fortunately). He was a man from the hard streets of early 20C New York who defined by his perfect physique (even in 1968 in The Swimmer, at 55, he looks like Charles Atlas) but someone who really wanted to be an intellectual, it seems.

[Steven Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based upon Ms. Buford’s biography, to say Burt Lancaster was strong-willed is putting it mildly. It would be like claiming Donald “Foghorn Leghorn” Trump fibs a little. The author focuses most of the book on Lancaster’s professional life. His private life was well-guarded by him, so the author’s material dealing with it is mostly skimming the surface. She does mention some of the actor’s many hookups, especially his female costars, but avoids being salacious. This is all well and good if you desire to know the man mainly through his work.

Ms. Buford describes Lancaster’s hardscrabble childhood in a New York slum and time as an adult acrobat in various circuses. His background explains a lot about how the workaholic approached life. The author states, “… Lancaster’s overnight (movie) ascent was a series of convergences, each building on the next, of circumstance, timing, personality, street smarts, popular yearning, and sheer dumb luck.” The actor was well aware of his good fortune and did not hesitate to make the best of it under his terms. For over a decade, there was no bigger male star than Burt Lancaster. At 6’1”, athletic, highly intelligent, strong as an ox, and good-looking with piercing blue eyes, he used his meteoric fame to take risks throughout his career. The dude didn’t seem to know how to play it safe. Much like the two-volume Frank Sinatra by James Kaplan, the ever-increasing power he attained fed Lancaster’s ego and it sure wasn’t pretty to witness. I had heard that he was difficult, but holy Moses, Lancaster’s passion to create movie “art” led to frequent run-ins with directors, producers, and fellow actors. Ms. Buford also describes the many changes that occurred in the movie industry during Lancaster’s lifetime. It was amusing to see the roles he passed up or missed out on that became huge hits for other actors and how his career frequently intersecting with Marlon Brando and Kirk Douglas. The book tries to address rumors about Lancaster being homosexual or bisexual, but ultimately allows various industry people to conjecture without ever resolving the issue. The book was published in 2000 and includes 24 pages of black-and-white photographs.

Ms. Buford’s ‘Burt Lancaster: An American Life’ is a solid interesting biography. It shows the evolution of a man who recognized a lucky break, seized it, and through force of will altered the movie business landscape. He left a lot of victims in his wake. Lancaster was not just some good-looking goofball actor. Ms. Buford does the reader a great service by showing his contributions to not only the movie industry, but also such things as Civil Rights and the fight against AIDS. The actor was a complex individual, driven to continually challenge and improve himself. While reading the book, there are parts of Burt Lancaster I greatly admired, while other parts of his personality made me want to retch. I wouldn’t have minded meeting the older more tempered Lancaster, but the guy he was most of his life was someone I would have avoided like the plague. If you have an interest in this charismatic mover and shaker, you’ll likely find Ms. Buford’s book an enjoyable read.

[Andrew Rothstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burt Lancaster was a major Hollywood star, won an Oscar and nominated for others, and a political activist. He doesn't come off as a likeable person, though. He could be domineering, a misogynist, and angry. He stayed married to a severe alcholic, but strayed in is marriage. He loved his children, but overwhelmed them with expectations to be like him. He could make great movies and duds.

This books shows us all his sides and profiles one of the most important actors of his generation.

Interesting.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big, imposing and rather unexpectedly beautiful, there's a lot in Buford's capacious biography of Burt Lancaster that makes me think of the actor himself. She writes his life with a loving touch, a little entranced as we all are/were with these behemoth, and I loved it. This is a book which delivers something rather potent; a biography that loves its complicated, challenging and confident subject without ever attempting to make excuses for the worst of his behaviour even though Buford is more than a little in love with her subject. But then aren't/weren't we all.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid bio on an actor-producer-multi-hyphenate who was constantly pushing himself towards new horizons - all the way up to the end. This was a substantial, comprehensive book which probably could have been shaved down by a third and still have been good. The only thing about Kate Buford's writing that irked me to no end were her detailed, spoiler-happy rehashes of the plots of Lancaster's movies - most of which ultimately don't add much to his life story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have thought this would have been an impossible biography to write. Burt Lancaster was just so large. But this book made me feel as though I knew him in all his facets, or many of his facets. This was a true pleasure to read.

[Jeffrey Powanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so biography of a Hollywood legend. Lancaster's early life (from his childhood in East Harlem to his WWII service) is well-documented, as is his early movie career, but then the book rushes through the rest of his numerous movies paying only brief attention to his personal life. We are left with an incomplete portrait dominated by things that most of us already knew: Lancaster was a circus performer, a lifelong fitness nut, a compulsive womanizer, a devoted and loyal friend, father of five children by his second wife, married three times, an autodidact (reportedly read a book a day), produced many of his own movies, won an Oscar for Elmer Gantry, civil rights advocate, and rumored bisexual.

Despite not finding any evidence of Lancaster's bisexuality, Buford teases the subject nearly every chapter. For instance, she writes,

"Lancaster’s rages, promiscuity, and mood swings suggest some kind of conflict or confusion about sexual identity, at least."

At least? Buford should know that rages, promiscuity, and mood swings were de rigeur for pill-popping and booze guzzling Fifties Hollywood. They didn't signify anything, least of all bisexuality.

Buford's long biography ends with the poignant chapter of Lancaster's third marriage, and his final years after suffering a stroke. In his later years, Lancaster seems to have softened as his body began to fall apart. He died of a heart attack in bed in 1994.

For decades, Lancaster was the vulgar, charming, huckster soul of Hollywood, so it's only fitting that he won his only Oscar for his portrayal of Elmer Gantry. His physical grace, expressive movement, and complete naturalness made him a compelling screen presence. There has never been another movie actor like him. Sad that this biography only skims the surface of a complicated man.

[Thomas Trevenen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Buford's sometimes gossipy, most times overly detailed research project smacks of a writer who could not get inside personal access to the intimacies of Burt Lancaster's life. I am okay with this. I feel better that Lancaster's privacy was protected. I enjoyed greatly the inside look at a star's battle to remain true to his art even while he is learning his art. I suspect any intimate details found here are common knowledge gathered and put into one place along with ad infinitum details of Lancaster's business dealings which are noticeably less interesting. I found the book informed me that the actor's career was a much more thoughtful and interesting journey than I had ever considered and for that, I will watch Burt Lancaster films with more avidity at the growth of his career.

[Malcolm Frawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burt Lancaster was one of my favourite actors while I was growing up & I have vivid memories of watching both The Crimson Pirate & The Birdman Of Alcatraz. This biography by Kate Buford is a balanced testament to his long life & career. A nightmare for some directors to work with he was generous with other actors, particularly those less experienced than himself. A serial womaniser he at least seems to have treated them well, unlike others of his ilk. And his liberal values were espoused to the very end. I found this a terrific read. Although a fan of Lancaster's I knew little of his life. I now feel I know everything worth knowing. For Baby Boomer film buffs.

[miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me an exceptionally long time to get through but I loved nearly every moment of it. I haven't exactly found the right way to rate biographies, but I do believe this one did an excellent job at covering the man Burt Lancaster was and the man he wanted to be. I know that must've been no easy task but I can honestly say that every time I picked this up and read it, I became fully immersed in this universe of Burt Lancaster. It was a very beautiful experience and reaching the end felt like saying goodbye to a very dear friend. I wish we talked more about this talented and genuine human because he truly deserves to be spoken about

[Michael Locurto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lancaster was a major Hollywood star whose sense of justice showed both in his life and on screen, where he often chose projects that challenged the status quo.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An appreciative, revealing biography of one of my favorite actors. Buford vividly brings to life all the virtues and considerable flaws of the enigmatic movie star.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

#80 of 120 books pledged to read during 2020

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood film hero laid bare

[Edward Amato · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend, who is an almanac about pre 1960s movies, loves this book. For me, it had too much detail. The author was very thorough in covering Lancaster's life.

[Cathi Penman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a terrible book!
Burt Lancaster was one of the Hollywood Greats, yet this book read like a telephone listing. There was no heart in it and more importantly no soul. it could have been such a great account, but it was lacking in any real atmosphere and I didn't feel I knew Burt Lancaster any better at the end of the book than I did at the beginning

[Sean Wicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm never sure if these movie star bios are meant to bring these legends down to earth, or create even more of a mythic stature by making their ordinary lives seem larger-than-life. I'm a big admirer of Lancaster's work, and that admiration grows even more so as time passes. I lived in Los Angeles when he died, and the day after played a pick-up game of softball next to the Hillside Golf Course where he spent a lot of his free time, especially later in life. I remember thinking about that as I played ball and thought that a nearby flag at half mast was for Lancaster, as well as for Lana Turner who had died that week as well.

This book does both of what I mentioned above, talks about the man's real life in a down-to-earth fashion yet still manages to make him come off as the movie star and mythic persona that he was even with the health ailments, temper, etc. His rocky partnership with Harold Hecht creating an independent production company that paved the road for the star company deals we see still in effect today. It's a life that fully exemplifies the smooth talking, physically impressive actor who created some of the most memorable characters on film - like JJ Hunsecker who is one of the best baddies you love to hate in The Sweet Smell of Success.

The final line of the book sums the man up so perfectly too - but I'm not going to reveal it here obviously but it's a line that will stick with me and something only a star of his stature could say and make it mean something.

Definitely worth reading.

[JerryDeanHalleck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, if often distant. life of the Hollywood legend. Buford brings up something that was hidden from the General public but well known in Hollywood, Burt was Bi-sexual. Otherwise, her account doesn't give us many new facts.

Lancaster had an odd route to stardom. Born in NYC, a Circus performer thoughout the 30s, then working at Macy's and service in a US Army Entertainment troupe. After WW II, he was discovered, and within a couple years was not only a "star" but co-producing his own movies. Few leading men make their first movie at 33, and even fewer do it without almost no broadway or previous movie experience.

Despite all the great details in the book, the real Burt Lancaster remains an elusive figure. You find few romances with his leading ladies. We're told he was a "Wonanizer" but few names are given. We hear little from his friends. Did he have any, other than his old CIrcus partner? His great suppposed Friendship with Kirk Douglas seems to have existed more on the screen, than in real life.
Burt, the human being, doesn't really register on the page.

Maybe, like Oakland there was "no there, there". Just because you're a handome, intelligent, screen-actor, with a forceful personality, doesn't make you deeply interesting or fascinatingly or a thoughtful thinker with opinions on life, the universe, and everything.

One notes that despite his success, Lancaster never had the impact of a Brando, Bogart or Gable. Nor was he female heartrob or a beloved figure like Stewart. He was always good bur rarely great.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really difficult book to review. It is really well written, but I often felt while reading it that the research was not all it could have been (given the huge list of references at the back this might seem strange). For example Burt made three films with my all time favourite actress Ava Gardner, but she barely gets a mention. In these three was his first film, The Killers, but there is very little detail. Another problem I had with it was with the discussion of his sexuality. It was almost whispered that he was bisexual, and certainly there was no suggestions of who his partners might have been. Considering that his name has appeared in other (possibly more trashy) star biographies it's not that the information isn't out there. However, when towards the end of the book Burt is quoted as not wanting to read Kirk Douglas's autobiography because he can't understand the kiss and tell mentality, it maybe excuses the author from naming names, as she is just respecting his wishes. Anyway, a lot of moans for a book that is nevertheless a good read, especially concerning Lancaster's production company and the importance of this side of his work as the studios began to fade in the fifties.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many movie-goers pictured Burt Lancaster as an athletic hunk with a big smile but, as with many things in Hollywood, the truth is more elusive. He was a college graduate before he became a circus performer and an actor that was always trying to redefine and escape any images that he created. He was also one of the first actors to branch out into independent production and also one of the first to win a production Oscar for a movie he didn't star in (Marty 1955). Unlike many heroic stars at the time, he was politically liberal and was an early and sincere activist against HUAC, and for causes like civil rights, prisoners rights, and for the equality of all people under the law. His early acting ventures in foreign films like Visconti's The Leopard (1963) made him a credible art film figure in Europe long before the Hollywood New Wave. Kate Buford's excellent biography traces the life and career of this legendary man in all his various shades of depth and complexity. A must for cinema fans. - BH.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like watching a newly minted print of The Sweet Smell of Success, you cannot help but reevaluate Lancaster after reading this book. He sometimes plays to the rafters in his broader roles, but he was also one of the first successful independent film producers, carefully followed a plan of one hit film to one that he wanted to do for most of his career (sound like Johnny Depp's business plan to anyone else?), and had a thirst for knowledge and tolerance that was/is admirable. I highly recommend this book followed by a mini film series of the titles that intrigue you (and there will be many).

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay bio of the star-overlong however.

[Robert Kradoska · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting man and a very interesting life

[Jon Hopwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good work about a very important figure in post-WWII Hollywood

[John Bleasdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Loved this book. What a marvelous portrait of a complicated actor. I've always loved Lancaster but this sent me back to his movies.