Marlon Brando was one of the greatest actors to ever live. From Sheriff Calder in The Chase to Don Carleone in The Godfather, we’re all better off for having had him as an actor.
But was Marlon Brando gay? That’s the focus of CelebSexuality.com, and that’s the question we’re going to answer today.
Marlon Brando was openly bisexual
Back in the day, Marlon Brando was a true sex icon. He got both men and women hot and bothered just to look at, and he was also open about his bisexuality at a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable to be so.
Brando said: “Like a Large Number of Men, I, Too, Have Had Homosexual Experiences & I Am Not Ashamed…”
Brando’s exploits were well known in Hollywood. He had a long gay affair with Wally Cox. Brandon even kept his ashes after he passed away in 1973. Their ashes were then mixed together when Brando himself died in 2004.
Sadly, back then, it wasn’t possible for same-sex couples to marry. Brando openly expressed his desire to marry Wally Cox, but it wasn’t to be. Even in modern times, gay icons like singer Sir Elton John had to wait a long time before they could legally marty their loves.
Marlon Brando dating history – A wild and complex love life
While Cox may have been his true love, Brando is also known to have had encounters with a wide variety of men and women, including Burt Lancaster, Laurence Oliver, Noel Coward, Tyrone Power, Rock Hudson, Richard Pryor, Marlyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Gloria Venderbilt, Rota Moreno, and many, many others. He has a voracious sexual appetite and enjoyed both sexes openly.
Here’s what is known about Brando’s legendary love life. There are the most significant moments, because it wouldn’t be possible to cover them all.
From the Stage to the Spotlight: Stella Adler and Ellen Adler
Brando’s earliest known relationships were with Stella Adler, his acting coach, and her daughter Ellen. Although Stella was married at the time, she reportedly had a brief affair with the young actor. Brando’s relationship with Ellen Adler, however, was more serious, lasting for several years in the early 1940s.
The First Marriage: Anna Kashfi
In 1957, Brando married Anna Kashfi, an actress of Indian and Welsh descent. Their marriage produced a son, Christian Brando, but was short-lived, with the couple divorcing in 1959. Their tumultuous relationship and custody battle over their son would make headlines for years to come.
The Second Marriage: Movita Castaneda
Brando married his second wife, actress Movita Castaneda, in 1960. The couple had two children together, Miko and Rebecca Brando. However, their relationship also ended in divorce in 1962, with Brando’s extramarital affairs cited as a contributing factor.
The Third Marriage – Tarita Teriipaia
While filming “Mutiny on the Bounty” in 1962, Brando met Tarita Teriipaia, a Tahitian actress who played his love interest in the movie. They married in 1962 and had two children, Simon Teihotu and Tarita Cheyenne. Despite their initial happiness, the marriage faced numerous challenges, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1972. She wrote a memoir detailing much of this in 2005.
Notable Affairs and Relationships
Brando’s love life extended far beyond his marriages, with numerous high-profile relationships and affairs. Some of his most notable romances include his relationships with Rita Moreno, Marilyn Monroe, and French actress France Nuyen.
A Complex Love Life
Marlon Brando’s relationships were often characterized by passion, intensity, and turbulence. In addition to his marriages and high-profile affairs, Brando was known to have had numerous other liaisons, some of which resulted in the birth of children.
Brando Was an Early LGBTQ+ Ally and Pioneer
Brando was considered an early ally and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his lifetime, particularly in the context of the time he lived. In the 1970s, Brando spoke openly about his own bisexuality, which was quite rare for a high-profile actor during that time. In a 1976 interview with a French journalist, Brando said, “Homosexuality is so much in fashion, it no longer makes news. Like a large number of men, I, too, have had homosexual experiences, and I am not ashamed.”
Brando was also friends with several prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ community, such as the American playwright Tennessee Williams, who was openly gay. While it’s difficult to find specific instances of Brando participating in LGBTQ+ activism or fundraising, his openness about his sexuality and his friendships with LGBTQ+ individuals were significant for the time.
It’s important to consider the historical context when discussing Marlon Brando’s support for LGBTQ+ rights. While he may not have been as active or visible in the community as some modern-day celebrities, his openness and acceptance of his own bisexuality and the LGBTQ+ community were groundbreaking during his era.
So, was Marlon Brando gay?
Marlyn Brando was bisexual. He liked both men and women and dated/had encounters with many from both sexes, openly and unashamedly, before it was socially acceptable to do so. He cared not what others thought of him and lived his life to the fullest on his own terms.