Neville Brand American film and TV actor Date of Birth: 13.08.1920 Country: USA

Biography of Neville Brand

Neville Brand was an American film and TV actor born in Griswold, Iowa in 1920. He came from a family with Welsh, Belgian, and Dutch roots and was one of seven children of Leo and Helen Brand. His father worked as an electrician and bridge construction worker, and Neville began helping to earn money while still in school, working as a salesman and waiter.

In the fall of 1939, Neville joined the army and served in an infantry regiment, eventually rising to the rank of corporal. In 1945, he was seriously wounded in the hand during a battle at the Weser River in Germany, narrowly escaping death from blood loss. He was discharged in October 1945. He was decorated with many combat awards, including the Purple Heart, the Silver Star for gallantry, and many others.

During his time in the army, Neville discovered his passion for acting. Initially, he had joined the military with the intention of making a career there, but it was during his service that he first encountered the world of cinema, appearing in instructional army films. From then on, he decided to pursue a career in acting. Upon his return, Neville used his army scholarship to study at the American Theater Wing and soon made his debut on Broadway.

His first films included "D.O.A.", "Halls of Montezuma", "Only the Valiant", and several others in the early 1950s, marking the beginning of a successful career. However, Neville was not entirely satisfied with constantly playing villainous characters, which he believed hindered his career. In "Love Me Tender", his character killed Elvis Presley's character. Nonetheless, he also portrayed non-villainous roles, such as a touching and romantic character in the 1954 melodrama "Return from the Sea" and a less villainous character in an episode of the television show "Daniel Boone".

Neville Brand became best known for his portrayal of Al Capone in the TV series "The Untouchables" in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He reprised this role in "The George Raft Story" in 1961. Many also remember him as Bull Ransom, the prison warden in the biographical drama film "Birdman of Alcatraz" in 1962. Ironically, despite being a real war hero, Neville played a cowardly imposter posing as a war hero in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" titled "The Encounter". He also gained recognition for his cowboy roles in the TV series "The Virginian", another series called "Laredo", the feature film "Three Guns for Texas", and several others. His imposing physique, deep voice, and charismatic presence made him a memorable "tough guy" on-screen.

Throughout his acting career, Neville Brand appeared in over 130 film and TV roles, and his activity continued until the mid-1980s. His final on-screen appearance was in the horror film "Evils of the Night" in 1985, where he played the lead character.

Neville Brand was married three times. His first marriage to Jean Enfield ended in 1955 and they had a daughter named Mary Raymer. His second marriage to Laura Rae Araujo ended in 1969, after 12 years together, and they had two daughters, Michelle Beuttel and Katrina. Although mentioned by biographers, there is no precise information available about his other wives, Ramona and Mae.

Friends and acquaintances knew Neville as an avid book lover, and he had a collection of around 30,000 volumes that he had been gathering over the years. Unfortunately, his book collection was destroyed in a fire at his Malibu home in 1978.

Neville Brand passed away from emphysema on April 16, 1992, at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, California.