Victor Millan
Encyclopedia
Victor Millan, whose real name was Joseph Brown, (August 1, 1920 – April 3, 2009) was an American
actor
, academic and former Dean
of the theatre arts department at Santa Monica College
in Santa Monica, California
. Victor Millan was Brown's pseudonym
used during his acting career, which spanned decades.
in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II
. During the war, Brown was stationed in China
, India
and Burma.
He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA) following the end of World War II. Brown earned both his bachelor's degree
and his master's degree
in theatre arts from UCLA.
, which was directed by Kurt Neumann, as well as Walk the Proud Land
, Touch of Evil
, and The FBI Story
. Millan's later film credits included Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
in 1975, and the 1983 film, Scarface
starring Al Pacino
, in which Millan played Ariel Bleyer. Millan was an active member of the Screen Actor's Guild.
Brown taught theatre arts at Santa Monica College for his entire academic teaching career. He served as the Dean
of the theatre arts department at the college for over 25 years.
Victor Millan died at his home in Santa Monica, California, on April 3, 2009, at the age of 88.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, academic and former Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the theatre arts department at Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is a two-year, public, junior college located in Santa Monica, California.Santa Monica College was first opened in 1929 as Santa Monica Junior College. Current enrollment is over 30,000 students in more than 90 fields of study...
in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. Victor Millan was Brown's pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
used during his acting career, which spanned decades.
Early life
Brown was born on August 1, 1920. He served as a sergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the war, Brown was stationed in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Burma.
He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA) following the end of World War II. Brown earned both his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and his master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in theatre arts from UCLA.
Career
Brown, who adopted the name Victor Millan during his acting career, had over eighty separate television and film credits, in addition to his theater work. Some of his earliest roles included the 1952 film, The RingThe Ring (1952 film)
The Ring was a film directed by Kurt Neumann and is based on a novel by Irving Shulman. It tells the story of a Mexican American who becomes a boxer to gain reputation in the U.S. and be respected by the white majority anglophone. The film is shot in various locations in Los Angeles...
, which was directed by Kurt Neumann, as well as Walk the Proud Land
Walk the Proud Land
Walk the Proud Land is a 1956 Western Technicolor CinemaScope film directed by Jesse Hibbs, starring Audie Murphy and future Academy Award winner Anne Bancroft. It was filmed at Old Tucson.-Plot:...
, Touch of Evil
Touch of Evil
Touch of Evil is a 1958 American crime thriller film, written, directed by, and co-starring Orson Welles. The screenplay was loosely based on the novel Badge of Evil by Whit Masterson...
, and The FBI Story
The FBI Story
The FBI Story is a 1959 American drama film produced and directed by Mervyn LeRoy. The screenplay by Richard L. Breen and John Twist is based on a book by Don Whitehead.-Plot:...
. Millan's later film credits included Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze is a 1975 camp action film starring Ron Ely as pulp hero Doc Savage. This was the last film completed by pioneering science-fiction producer George Pal.- Plot :...
in 1975, and the 1983 film, Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
starring Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
, in which Millan played Ariel Bleyer. Millan was an active member of the Screen Actor's Guild.
Brown taught theatre arts at Santa Monica College for his entire academic teaching career. He served as the Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the theatre arts department at the college for over 25 years.
Victor Millan died at his home in Santa Monica, California, on April 3, 2009, at the age of 88.