On April 3, 1924, Brando was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Marlon Brando Sr. (1895-1965), a pesticide and chemical feed manufacturer, and Dorothy Julia Pennebaker (1897–1954). Brando had two older sisters, Jocelyn (1919-2005) and Frances (1919-2005). (1922–1994).
His ancestors were predominantly German, Dutch, English, and Irish. Johann Wilhelm Brandau, his patrilineal immigrant ancestor, arrived in New York City in the early 1700s from the Palatinate in Germany.
He is also descended from Louis DuBois, a French Huguenot who came to New York around 1660. Myles Joseph Gahan, his maternal great-grandfather, was an Irish immigrant who served as a medic in the American Civil War.
In an interview given in Ireland in 1995, he stated, “I’ve never been happier in my life. I felt a rush of emotion when I stepped off the plane. I’ve never felt more at ease in a place than I do here. I’m seriously considering applying for Irish citizenship.” Brando was brought up as a Christian Scientist.
Dodie, his mother, was unusual for her time; she smoked, wore pants, and drove a car. She helped Henry Fonda launch his acting career as an actress and theater administrator. Her husband, however, had to bring her home from Chicago bars because she was an alcoholic.
Brando expressed sadness about his mother in his autobiography, Songs My Mother Taught Me, writing, “The anguish that her drinking produced was that she preferred getting drunk to caring for us.” Alcoholics Anonymous was eventually joined by Dodie and Brando’s father. “I was his namesake, but nothing I did ever pleased or even interested him,” Brando said.
How much did Marlon Brando get paid for The Godfather?
Brando received only about $120,000 for his efforts.
