Brynner was noted for his distinctive voice and for his shaved head, which he maintained as a personal trademark long after adopting it in 1951 for his role in The King and I. Earlier, he was a model and television director, and later a photographer and the author of two books.he first three marriages ended in divorce. He fathered three children and adopted two. He and his first wife, actress Virginia Gilmore (1944â1960), had one child, Rock Yul Brynner (born December 23, 1946). His father nicknamed him Rock when he was six years old in honor of boxer Rocky Graziano.