Marlon Brando was in a film adapted from the work of an author of more than 40 books and he was American.
James Albert Michener ( [ ˈmɪtʃnər ] February 3 , 1907 -- October 16 , 1997 ) was an American author of more than 40 books , most of which were fictional , lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history . Marlon Brando , Jr. ( April 3 , 1924 -- July 1 , 2004 ) was an American actor , film director and political activist . ; Mark Antony in Joseph L. Mankiewicz 's 1953 film adaptation of Shakespeare 's Julius Caesar ; and Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver in Sayonara ( 1957 ) , an adaption of James Michener 's 1954 novel .