Although he had quit in 1971, his promotional photos often still showed him with a cigarette in hand. He and the national tour of the musical were forced to take a few months off while he underwent radiation therapy which damaged his throat and made it impossible for him to sing or speak easily. The tour then resumed. He spent formative years in China, where he developed an early appreciation for music, art, and theater. Later, in Paris, he studied music, focusing on the piano and violin, and began performing in theatrical productions, developing both his stage presence and his lifelong passion for performing arts.
Brynner’s career took off in 1951 with his casting as King Mongkut of Siam in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. His portrayal was groundbreaking: regal, commanding, and yet human. His signature shaved head gave him an unforgettable presence that audiences immediately associated with authority and charisma. He would perform this role over 4,500 times in theater productions worldwide.
