Marlon Brando’s Surprising Revelation About Not Sleeping with Vivien Leigh During the Filming of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

Marlon Brando, in his 1994 autobiography titled Songs My Mother Taught Me, unveiled the reason behind why he did not engage in a romantic relationship with Vivien Leigh during the production of the iconic film ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.'

Both Brando and Leigh delivered remarkable performances that became defining moments in their careers in the 1951 film adaptation of Tennessee Williams' acclaimed play.

Directed by Elia Kazan, Leigh portrayed the aging debutante Blanche DuBois flawlessly, while Brando garnered fame for his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski, Blanche's rough brother-in-law.

Within the pages of his autobiography, Brando, who was known for his playboy lifestyle, admitted to having an interest in Leigh during the filming of the movie.

However, it was her marriage to Sir Laurence Olivier that ultimately deterred him from pursuing a romantic relationship.

Brando, who originally played the role of Stanley in Williams' masterpiece on Broadway in 1947, was not initially impressed by Jessica Tandy, who portrayed Blanche in the New York production.

Despite Tandy winning a Tony Award for her performance, Brando believed she lacked the finesse, cultivated femininity, and fragility that the character required, as envisioned by Tennessee.

On the other hand, he considered Leigh, who played Blanche in the West End production in London, to be the perfect embodiment of the character.

Leigh's portrayal in the film adaptation of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire' earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actress.

According to Brando, Leigh's suitability for the role stemmed from her combination of beauty and vulnerability.

In his memoir, he described her as “memorably beautiful” and one of the great beauties of the screen.

He emphasized how her own life mirrored that of Tennessee's wounded butterfly, making her the ideal candidate to portray Blanche DuBois.

Throughout her life, Leigh grappled with mental and physical health issues, including bipolar disorder and recurring bouts of tuberculosis.

Her romantic relationships were also tumultuous, marked by infidelity on both sides.

While Brando was renowned for his womanizing ways and had affairs with many women, including Marilyn Monroe, he decided against pursuing a relationship with Leigh.

Not only was she still married to Olivier at the time, but Brando also held a deep respect for her husband.

Brando revealed that Leigh was involved with multiple partners and was beginning to experience mental and physical deterioration.

Despite briefly considering a romantic involvement with her, Brando ultimately chose not to act upon it out of admiration for Olivier.

He stated, “I liked him too much to invade his chicken coop,” suggesting that Olivier turned a blind eye to Leigh's infidelity.

Olivier and Leigh's marriage, which lasted for 20 years, was characterized by passionate love, creative collaboration, but also frequent challenges caused by infidelity, arguments, mental health issues, and other strains.

They eventually divorced in 1960.

In conclusion, Marlon Brando's autobiography sheds light on his decision not to pursue a romantic relationship with Vivien Leigh during the filming of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.'

His admiration for Leigh as an actress, coupled with her marriage to Sir Laurence Olivier and the deteriorating state of her personal life, influenced his choice.

This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of one of Hollywood's most iconic films.