Marlon Brando's Orphaned Grandson Was Cut Out of His Will and Grew Up on a Remote Island – Fans Say He's 'Much Better Looking Than His Grandfather'

Behind one of cinema's most celebrated careers was a complicated family history that left Marlon Brando's grandson facing loss, exclusion, and an uncertain future before he built a name for himself in fashion. Photos of the model await readers at the end of the article.

Marlon Brando became one of the defining actors of the 20th century, earning acclaim for performances that reshaped screen acting and secured his place among Hollywood's most influential stars.

His professional achievements included Oscar-winning work, but the closing decades of his life were also marked by a complicated private history involving a large family, fractured relationships, violence, suicide, and a will that excluded several relatives.

Marlon had 11 children by the time he died in 2004, although the path to that sprawling family was anything but straightforward.

He married actress Anna Kashfi in 1957, and they welcomed their son, Christian Brando, the following year. However, that marriage ended in divorce in 1959.

In 1960, the actor went on to marry Mexican-American actress Movita Castaneda, with whom he had two children — Miko and Rebecca Brando. The marriage was later annulled after it emerged that Movita remained legally married to her previous husband.

But among all those branches of the family, Cheyenne's life developed into an especially tragic chapter.

Two years later, Marlon tied the knot with his "Mutiny on the Bounty" co-star Tarita Teriipaia, who was 20 at the time and 18 years younger than him. The couple had two children, Simon Teihotu Brando and Tarita Cheyenne Brando, before their relationship ended after a decade.

Marlon also legally adopted Tarita's daughter, Maimiti Brando, who was born several years after their separation. Reports further stated that he adopted her niece, Raiatua Brando, about a decade after the couple split.

However, in a dramatic twist, neither woman featured prominently in biographies of the actor, and both were later excluded from his will.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood star's family continued to grow beyond those marriages. Marlon had three children, Ninna Priscilla Brando, Myles Jonathan Brando, and Timothy Gahan Brando, with his housekeeper, Maria Cristina Ruiz.

He also adopted Petra Brando-Corval, the teenage daughter of his assistant. Furthermore, after his death, the daughter of actress Cynthia Lynn publicly claimed that Marlon was her biological father.

But among all those branches of the family, Cheyenne's life developed into an especially tragic chapter. Born in 1970, she and Simon grew up with Tarita in Tahiti — an island in French Polynesia — and reportedly were not permitted to visit the United States.

Cheyenne later left high school, abused drugs, and pursued modeling. However, her career was derailed after a severe car crash in 1989 left her needing extensive reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, after which she experienced depression.

She later became pregnant by her boyfriend, Dag Drollet. But their relationship became central to a violent family tragedy when Christian shot and killed Dag at Marlon's home in May 1990, one month before Cheyenne gave birth.

When Marlon died in 2004, his estate reportedly benefited several children, friends, associates, and his producer.

According to reports, Christian — who was later imprisoned for the killing — believed Dag had physically harmed Cheyenne while she was eight months pregnant.

The baby, Tuki Brando, entered the world amid the aftermath of his father's death. Then, only weeks after giving birth, Cheyenne attempted suicide twice and was admitted to a psychiatric facility.

She later lost custody of her son and became increasingly estranged from members of her family. In 1995, when Tuki was still a small child, Cheyenne sadly died by suicide at Tarita's home in Tahiti.

She was 25, and her son was nearly four. Dag's death before Tuki's birth and Cheyenne's death several years later left him orphaned before he reached school age.

Tarita subsequently raised her grandson in French Polynesia, far from the center of the Hollywood dynasty into which he had been born. Although he carried one of cinema's most recognizable surnames, he did not receive a share of his grandfather's fortune.

When Marlon died in 2004, his estate reportedly benefited several children, friends, associates, and his producer. His will, however, specifically excluded Cheyenne's descendants, as well as Petra and any of her descendants. The document stated:

"I intentionally and with full knowledge of the consequences do not provide in my will or in my living trust for Cheyenne's issue or for Petra Brando-Corval, or for any of Petra's issue."

That provision meant Tuki received no inheritance from his grandfather, despite being the only child of Marlon's late daughter. The decision became another disputed element of the actor's complicated family legacy, though the supplied account did not explain why he made it.

Tuki eventually built a life outside that inheritance. His path into fashion began when photographer Bruce Weber captured him alongside Tarita.

The photographer later featured him on the cover of "L'Uomo Vogue," giving the young man a prominent introduction to the modeling industry.

From there, Tuki worked with major fashion houses and luxury brands, including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and TechnoMarine watches.

His career placed him in front of international audiences on his own terms, decades after tragedy had first made his name part of the Brando family story.

Over the years, photographs of the model have generated considerable attention online, with many observers comparing his features with those of his famous grandfather and late parents.

While some saw little physical connection to Marlon, others believed Tuki had inherited features from several sides of his family. One person focused on his resemblance to his parents, commenting, "He looks more like his beautiful mother and a little of his father."

Another saw traces of Marlon but ultimately favored the grandson, sharing, "I see a slight resemblance but honestly I think he's more handsome than Marlon."

Others were more direct in their comparisons. One netizen typed, "Looks nothing like Brando. Looks better." A second person agreed, saying, "Uh, no. He's much better looking than his grandfather. That's just my opinion."

Another commenter offered the most enthusiastic assessment, writing, "He's actually sooo much more handsome than his Grandpa [sic]!!"

Tuki's life began under circumstances shaped by loss, violence, and decisions made long before he could understand them.

Raised by Tarita in Tahiti and excluded from Marlon Brando's estate, he nevertheless established an international career that separated his public image from the family tragedies surrounding his childhood. Photos of the model can be found below.

Tuki Brando

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.