He played the role 4,625 times on stage and became known for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it for The King and I.Brynner also starred as Ramesses II in the Cecil B. DeMille epic The Ten Commandments (1956). Yul Brynner passed away on October 10, 1985, from lung cancer, just months after his final Broadway performance of The King and I. His legacy lives on not only through his unforgettable performances but also through his influence on stage and screen as a truly unique presence in 20th-century entertainment.
Brynner’s shaved head wasn’t just a stage decision—it became a hallmark of his persona. Initially shaved for his role as the King of Siam, he decided to keep it, saying it gave him a strong, striking image that set him apart from other leading men. His bald head, combined with his piercing eyes and commanding presence, made him instantly recognizable, both on stage and on screen.
