**Yul Brynner’s Daughter Confirms Long-Held Suspicions About His Life**

For decades, fans of Yul Brynner, the legendary actor known for his commanding roles in *The King and I* and *The Magnificent Seven*, have speculated about the enigmatic details of his private life.

Now, his daughter, Victoria Brynner, has come forward to confirm what many admirers long suspected, shedding light on the complex man behind the Hollywood icon. Her revelations offer a deeper understanding of Brynner’s personal struggles, hidden relationships, and the traits that made him both revered and reviled in the industry.

Victoria Brynner, in interviews and through her photo book *Yul Brynner: A Photographic Journey*, paints a portrait of a father who was as multifaceted as he was difficult.

Known for his iconic bald head and piercing gaze, Brynner achieved global stardom as King Mongkut in *The King and I*, earning an Oscar and two Tony Awards. Yet, offstage, he was a polarizing figure. Victoria reveals his prickly temperament, secret same-sex affairs, and an obsessive personality that exhausted those around him.

His arrogance and demanding nature were infamous, often clashing with co-stars like Steve McQueen, whom he despised for being taller and more skilled on set. Their rivalry on *The Magnificent Seven* became legendary, with Brynner resorting to standing on dirt mounds to appear taller, only for McQueen to kick them away.

Beyond personal conflicts, Brynner’s insecurities shaped his behavior. He imposed absurd rules, such as banning photos with other bald men and demanding extravagant contract stipulations, from specific carpet colors to helicopter landing pads. His disdain extended to audiences, whom he once called “idiots,” refusing to bow at curtain calls.

Victoria also confirms rumors of his hidden bisexuality, including a profound romance with actor Hurd Hatfield in the 1940s, kept secret to maintain his public image as a ladies’ man. Despite marriages and publicized relationships with stars like Marlene Dietrich, Brynner never openly acknowledged this aspect of his life.

Born Yuliy Borisovich Bryner in 1920 in Vladivostok, Russia, his early life was marked by turmoil—abandoned by his father, fleeing political upheaval, and surviving a severe circus accident that left him with lifelong pain. These hardships forged his relentless drive and need to prove himself, often manifesting as tyranny on set. Yet, Victoria highlights his lesser-known talents: a brilliant photographer, folk singer, and art collector, whose works captured Hollywood’s backstage world.

Brynner’s legacy endures despite his flaws. His battle with lung cancer, which claimed his life in 1985, led to a powerful anti-smoking campaign that became a posthumous gift to public health.

Today, statues and honors, like his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrate his contributions. Victoria’s confirmation of long-standing suspicions reveals a man of contradictions—talented yet tyrannical, glamorous yet guarded. Yul Brynner’s story is not just one of fame, but of silent battles and hidden scars that shaped an unforgettable legend.

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