Young Marlon Brando

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Marlon Brando, Jr. was born on April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, the third child of a chemical manufacturer and an actress.

His childhood was a troubled one. Both parents were alcoholics. His mother frequently vanished only to be found drunk in a bar. His father beat and belittled him.

Trauma at home led to trouble at school. He defied teachers, set fires, defaced property and was eventually expelled from high school for riding his motorcycle through the halls.

1926Brando at two years old.

1926Two-year-old Brando (front) with sisters Frances and Jocelyn.

1930Six-year-old Brando with his sisters Frances (left) and Jocelyn.

"I was his namesake, but nothing I did ever pleased or even interested him. He enjoyed telling me I couldn't do anything right. He had a habit of telling me I would never amount to anything." ----- Marlon Brando

1932Eight-year-old Brando at the beach.

1932 - 8-year-old Brando making faces at the beach.

1932Eight-year-old Brando on a pony.

1932 - Marlon aged eight with mother Dodie in 1932.

"If I have a scene to play and I have to be angry, I can remember my father hitting me." ----- Marlon Brando

1932Eight-year-old Brando wearing a cowboy costume.

1933 - 9-year-old Brando.

1934Brando at 10 years old.

1935 - 11-year-old Brando writes at his desk.

Despite his struggles, he developed a talent for mimicry, deftly copying the mannerisms of his friends, teachers and even animals.

His older sisters left home to pursue acting and the arts in New York, and he was sent to Shattuck Military academy, his father’s alma mater.

There, he successfully channeled his brooding anger and acting talent into theater classes. He continued to defy authority figures, however, and after a temporary expulsion, he decided to drop out for good.He attempted to enlist in the Army, but failed the physical. With few other options, he chose to follow his sisters to New York and try his hand at acting.

194016-year-old Brando in uniform at Shattuck Military Academy.

He decided he would go to New York and study acting because that was the only thing he had enjoyed.------Jocelyn Brando