Troubled Eldest Son of Brando Dies Aged 49

Jan 27, 08:15 AM

Christian Brando, the troubled eldest son of the late, famed actor Marlon Brando, has died from pneumonia at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 49. Brando died yesterday morning at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, said David Seeley, an attorney representing Marlon Brando's estate. Seeley said Brando was taken to the hospital on 11 January. "This is a sad and difficult time for the family," he said.

Thus ends the relatively short, but extremely difficult life of the son of one of the 20th century's legendary screen actors. Born on 11 May, 1958, the younger Brando had small roles in a handful of movies, including 1968's I Love You, Alice B Toklas! but he was better known for his brushes with the law.

He spent five years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in 1990 for killing his sister's boyfriend, Dag Drollet, at the Brando family's estate. Brando said he accidentally shot Drollet as they struggled for a gun during an argument over whether Drollet, 26, had beaten Cheyenne, Brando's pregnant half- sister. Cheyenne, who later gave birth to Drollet's son, committed suicide in 1995 after losing custody. She was 25.

In 2005, Brando's ex-wife, Deborah, sued him for domestic violence. She claimed that, shortly after their 2004 marriage, Brando repeatedly beat her and threatened to kill her in the presence of her teenage daughter.

Brando countersued, alleging that his ex-wife broke into his home and beat him because he wanted to annul their marriage only 10 weeks after exchanging vows. The lawsuits were settled last year on undisclosed terms.

Brando was charged in 2005 with two counts of domestic violence and he pleaded guilty. He was placed probation for three years, and ordered to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation as well as a domestic violence prevention program.

Brando also was the lover of Bonnie Lee Bakley, who was shot to death in 2001. At one time, Bakley claimed Brando had fathered her child but tests showed it belonged to the actor Robert Blake, whom she later married.

Blake was tried for her murder and acquitted, but later ordered to pay $30m in a wrongful death lawsuit. During that civil case, Blake's lawyer suggested Brando was the killer. Brando, who had denied any involvement, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on the stand during the trial. Seeley said Brando was not married at the time of his death and did not leave any children.

Marlon Brando, considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, won Academy Awards for his acclaimed roles in On the Waterfront and The Godfather. He died in 2004 at the age of 80.

Originally published by By Robert Jablon in Los Angeles.

(c) 2008 Independent on Sunday, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. Troubled Eldest Son of Brando Dies Aged 49
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