By William Ahearn
July 2 (Bloomberg) -- Marlon Brando, called by many the greatest actor of all time and best known for his roles in ``On the Waterfront'' and ``The Godfather,'' has died. He was 80.
Brando died yesterday in Los Angeles, KPHO-TV reported. The cause of death wasn't immediately known. KPHO-TV is a CBS affiliate in Phoenix.
Brando earned best actor Oscars for his performances as the ex-fighter in ``On The Waterfront'' (1954) and as mafia boss Don Vito Corleone in ``The Godfather'' (1972). Brando refused the second Oscar in protest of the federal government's treatment of American Indians.
He sent Sacheen Littlefeather to the awards ceremony to give his refusal speech, and she was booed off the stage.
He was born in Nebraska in 1924 and made his Broadway debut in ``I Remember Mama.'' Brando's big break came in his role as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's ``A Streetcar Named Desire'' in 1947. He also starred in the film version in 1951.
To contact the reporter on this story: William Ahearn in New York at bahearn@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: July 2, 2004 11:17 EDT
