Investigations by the FBI have revealed that Burt Lancaster, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in “From Here to Eternity” and other films, was allegedly bisexual.
Despite having five children and being married three times, Lancaster’s s**ual preferences were called into question.
Born in Manhattan in 1913, Lancaster developed a passion for gymnastics at an early age and joined the circus as an acrobat.
Unfortunately, an injury cut short his career in the circus.
During World War II, he enlisted in the Army and began acting as part of the United Service Organization (USO).
His breakthrough film was “The Killers” in 1946, which propelled him to stardom.
Lancaster had already been divorced once when he started his Hollywood career.
He was married to June Erns from 1935 to 1946.
Later that year, he tied the knot with Norma Anderson in Yuma, Arizona.
Together, they had five children.
However, their marriage ended after 22 years, and they officially divorced in 1969.
Lancaster’s third and final wife was Susan Martin, whom he married in 1990 when he was in his mid-70s.
Despite his fame and success, Lancaster faced numerous challenges throughout his life, including an investigation by the FBI.
Rumors about his alleged bisexuality circulated widely, despite his marriages and reported affairs with actresses.
Additionally, Lancaster was known for his liberal political beliefs and spoke out against the blacklisting and witch-hunting practices of the House Un-American Activities Committee.
In the 1960s, Lancaster was targeted for his involvement in the Civil Rights Congress and his willingness to make films with strong social commentary.
The FBI also investigated him in the 1950s for alleged homosexual behavior.
Then-FBI director J. Edgar Hoover considered Lancaster a threat to national security due to his s**ual inclinations.
These investigations revealed that Lancaster, along with his close friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson, played a significant role in paving the way for the open and promiscuous lifestyle embraced by many homosexuals in Hollywood today.
Lancaster was rumored to be a s** addict, attending secret parties and orgies.
In 1960, he was implicated in a police raid on a notorious homosexual’s house, where prominent individuals, including Lancaster and Hudson, were discovered to be partaking in orgies.
Author Kate Buford, who wrote a book about Lancaster, acknowledged that she could neither confirm nor deny the rumors of his bisexuality.
However, she emphasized Lancaster’s acceptance of his own sexuality and his refusal to deny or hide it.
Lancaster had many gay friends and believed that labeling oneself as not gay implied that being gay was somehow inferior.
He valued personal freedom, both as an individual and in his art and politics, long before it became popular to do so.
Lancaster shared a close friendship with Rock Hudson, who was more open about his homosexuality and frequented gay bars in Los Angeles.
Hudson’s battle with AIDS brought attention to the disease and its impact.
In September 1985, Lancaster participated in an AIDS fundraiser, reading a heartfelt letter from Hudson, who expressed his willingness to endure his illness if it could help others.
The event raised over $1 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles and contributed to shifting public perceptions of the disease.
In conclusion, Burt Lancaster’s alleged bisexuality emerged six years after his passing, despite his marriages and family life.
His career and personal life were marked by controversy and investigations by the FBI.
Lancaster’s friendship with Rock Hudson, another prominent actor who was open about his homosexuality, shed light on important social issues and helped change public attitudes towards AIDS.