Richard Burton details
- Born Richard Walter Jenkins, November 10, 1925, Pontrhydyfen, Wales, UK.
- Died August 5, 1984, Céligny, Switzerland.
- Spouses: Sybil Williams, Elizabeth Taylor, Susan Miller (Suzy Hunt) and Sally Hay.
- Twelfth of 13 children, brothers and father were coal miners.
More bio data
- Awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1970 Queen’s
- Won a Grammy in the “Best Recording for Children” category for “The Little Prince”.
- Was to star in Dino De Laurentiis’ Waterloo as Napoleon, but was replaced by Rod Steiger, as was John Huston as director by Sergey Bondarchuk.
- Nominated 7 times for the Oscar, but never won.
Introduction
Richard Burton – his real name was Richard Walter Jenkins – was born on November 10, 1925, in Pontrhydyfen, Wales; died on August 5, 1984, in Céligny, Switzerland. He was a British actor nominated seven times for the Oscar that otherwise won innumerable other important awards.
Known and remembered for his deep voice and penetrating gaze, he initially started off as a formidable Shakespearean actor in the 1950s —he was known as “the natural successor of Lawrence Olivier” a comparison he was very proud of — and gave an unforgettable performance of Hamlet in 1964.
He managed to give his roles ease, force and enthusiasm and made his handling of things realistic.
He is considered one of the most important actors of his generation and film history.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor 1963
In the same way, you can’t think of John Lennon without Yoko Ono, we cannot remember Richard Burton without Elizabeth Taylor. This actor was the best option for incarnating male roles during the 50s and late 60s.
Richard Burton definitely left a great legacy for the next generations. Even today, he is a reference for all students of elocution due to his distinctive voice that became his hallmark.
He was born in Wales, United Kingdom, on November 10, 1925, and died in Switzerland on August 5, 1984.
His original name was Richard Walter Jenkins, but he changed his name in honor of Philip Burton, his guardian and foster parent.
Ava Gardner and Richard Burton 1963
Leonardo DiCaprio, at one time, seemed to share his unfortunate fate on filmmaking, because despite Burton’s 7 Oscar nominations as best actor, he failed to win any of them. However, this did not stop him from standing out in film history.
While acting was his profession, reading was his passion; a great lover of Shakespeare, as he proved with his brilliant interpretation of Hamlet in 1950.
As mentioned above, recapitulating the history of this actor, we can see the mention of Elizabeth Taylor on several occasions, who was his great love and whom he married and divorced on two different occasions.
The two of them met when they starred in the movie”Cleopatra”. Elizabeth Taylor epitomized the last queen of ancient Egypt, while Richard Burton had the role of Marco Antonio, the friend of Julius Caesar and Queen Cleopatra’s lover.
Sue Lyon and Richard Burton 1963
Richard Burton & Puerto Vallarta
Being one of the greatest actors of the moment, John Huston invited Richard Burton to star in the movie “The Night of the Iguana” in which he would play Lawrence Shannon, a retired and alcoholic pastor, who after being accused of sexually abusing a minor, emigrated to Mexico, where he works as a tour guide; as the story develops, he ends up involved with three women, Maxine Faulk (Ava Gardner) Charlotte Goodall (Sue Lyon) and Hannah Jelkes (Deborah Kerr).
Burton with the cast of The Night of the Iguana
The film was shot in Mismaloya south of Puerto Vallarta in 1963; by then it was a small fishing village, but it captivated Richard and Elizabeth, who stood by his side throughout the filming despite not being part of the movie’s cast. Along with them, a horde of paparazzi arrived, who remained expectant for any opportunity to grab a photo of the happy couple and the supposedly inevitable scandals that would brew among all these stars.
John Huston and Richard Burton 1963
Elizabeth and Richard stayed at a place called Casa Kimberley, which was bought years later by Burton and presented to Elizabeth as a birthday present. The couple lived the best moments of their relationship in this charming Mexican house.
Elizabeth Taylor sold Casa Kimberley in 1990, together with all her belongings, including furniture, pictures, and clothes (she said it was too painful to keep them), and for a while was a museum largely left in the same conditions as when it was sold by the actress, it has since then been remodeled and is currently is a luxurious boutique hotel.
Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor’s villa in Puerto Vallarta
Richard Burton stayed connected to Puerto Vallarta through his life and even though his second marriage to Taylor abruptly ended when he, then a married man, started having an affair with (history repeats) Susan Hunt, that at the time was married (ex-wife of the F1 Champion James Hunt). He did return in 1977 to Puerto Vallarta, this time purchasing a beautiful villa, Casa Bursus, for his new bride.
It has now become the well-known Hacienda San Ángel, one of many villas administered by Janice Chatterton who bought it from Susan in 1990, who had kept it after her divorce from Burton.
Richard Burton and Susan Hunt (1978)
The Villa’s name – you can imagine – is a combination of Burton and Susan’s names. He bought the house as a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife and is just a few blocks from Casa Kimberley in the Gringo Gulch. It exudes Vallartan coastal charm and is faithful to the local Mexican architectural tradition and houses infinity of stories and affairs… if only walls could talk.
Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and an iguana 1963
Surely Puerto Vallarta is full of memories, its history blends with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, who decided unconsciously to establish a reference for international tourism.
Sergio Toledano, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
Casa Kimberly (ex-Casa Kimberley)
If you stroll along the cobblestone streets until you reach Zaragoza St. you’ll find a pink bridge standing across the street linking two houses, which are actually two parts of the same property. It’s like going back in time, to a glamorous and romantic era where two stars decided to give free rein to their love.
Anyone who has visited Puerto Vallarta and passed by Kimberley House can boast that they visited the love nest of the most famous couple of the 20th Century.
Richard Burton definitely changed many lives, but none like the actor Kevin Costner, whose encounter kickstarted his future acting career, starring in “Dances with Wolves” (1990), “Message in a Bottle” (1999), “For Love of the Game” (1999) and “Draft Day” (2014).
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor married on March 15th, 1964, in Montreal’s Church of the Messiah, Canada.
The best decision Kevin Costner made in his life, was to choose Puerto Vallarta, coincidentally the refuge of Richard Burton, as a destination for his honeymoon, for on the flight back he had a chance to meet the already well-established actor, who agreed to speak with Costner after finishing the book he was reading. As a result of this conversation, Kevin was motivated by Burton to pursue an acting career. Advice that led him to Hollywood fame.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in between shots
Puerto Vallarta was not just an occasional stop in the life of the actor but was also his refuge, his oasis in the desert, the town that offered everything that Richard and Elizabeth needed to live their turbulent, but passionate love and intense life.
Select filmography
- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
- Becket (1964)
- Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
- The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
- My Cousin Rachel (1952)
- Equus (1977)
- Hamlet (I) (1964)
- The Robe (1953)
- Look Back in Anger (1959)
- The Night of the Iguana (1964)
- The Taming of The Shrew (1967)
- 1984 (1984)
- Where Eagles Dare (1968)
- Bitter Victory (1957)
- The Longest Day (1962)
- Cleopatra (1963)
- Alexander the Great (1956)
- Prince of Players (1955)
- The Desert Rats (1953)
- The Wild Geese (1978)
- The Comedians (1967)
- The V.I.P.s (1963)
- Villain (1971)
- Under Milk Wood (1971)
- Doctor Faustus (1967)
More info & references
- Richard Burton on Wikipedia
- Richard Burton on IMDB
- The Night of the Iguana
- Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
- Gringo Gulch
- Mismaloya Beach
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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