On This Day

Birthday of Burt Lancaster

November 2nd 1913

10:27 2 November 2023

American actor and producer Burt Lancaster was born on this day in 1913. One of the finest actors of the era of classic Hollywood cinema, Lancaster's breakthrough role came starring opposite Ava Gardner in the film noir 'The Killers' (1946). For his role in 'From Here to Eternity' (1953) he landed the first of four Academy Award nominations for best actor.

Throughout the 50s and 60s he starred in a string of critically acclaimed hit movies including 'The Rainmaker' (1956), 'Trapeze' (1956), 'Gunfight at the O.K. Corral' (1957), 'Sweet Smell of Success' (1957), 'Run Silent, Run Deep' (1958), 'Separate Tables' (1958), an Academy award winner for Best Actor in 'Elmer Gantry' (1960), 'Judgement at Nuremberg' (1961), 'Birdman of Alcatraz' (1962), 'The Leopard' (1963), 'Seven Days in May' (1964), 'The Train' (1964), 'The Professionals' (1966) and 'The Swimmer' (1968).

Ten years after starring in the box office hit disaster movie 'Airport' (1970) Lancaster had a career resurgence with 'Atlantic City' (1980) for which he won the BAFTA for Best Actor. His final film role was in the Oscar nominated 'Field of Dreams' (1989). Burt Lancaster died after suffering a heart attack in 1994 but his legacy as one of the Hollywood greats continues.