Charles Bronson

Leathery, stoical leading man, often in action pictures directed by J. Lee Thompson. For years Bronson played stony-faced henchmenn and assorted villains, as with his mute in "House of Wax" (1953), made during a period when Bronson was still known as Charles Buchinsky. His roles grew in prominence over the years; he was especially memorable as the taciturn gunslinger in Sergio Leone's epic "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1969).

As the 70s approached, Bronson rather unexpectedly became an immensely popular star internationally, at first in European-made features. He specialized in tough action fare, and was perhaps best known as the vengeance-seeking vigilante in the "Death Wish" series. He made the annual exhibitors poll of top ten boxoffice stars four years in a row from 1973 to 1976. His stardom petered out in the 80s, but Bronson continued to deliver his unemotive yet at their best forcefully underplayed performances in occasional appearances through the 90s. Married to actress Jill Ireland, with whom he acted in over a dozen films, until her death in May 1990.

• Also Credited As:
  Charles Bronson, Charles Buchinski, Charles Buchinsky, Charles Bunchinsky
• Born:
  November 3, 1921 in Ehrenfield, Pennsylvania, USA
• Died:
  August 30, 2003.
• Job Titles:
  Actor, Set designer, Barker, Coal miner, Truck driver

Family

• Daughter: Katrina Bronson Holden. born c. 1968; mother, Jill Ireland
• Daughter: Suzanne Bronson.
• Daughter: Zuleika Bronson.
• Son: Tony Bronson.
• Step-son: Jason McCallum Bronson. died of a heroin overdose in 1989 at age 27; adopted by Jill Ireland and David McCallum; later adopted by Bronson
• Step-son: Paul McCallum.
• Step-son: Valentine McCallum.

Significant Others

• Wife: Harriet Bronson.

Education

• Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, California

Milestones

• 1951 Film acting debut (credited as Charles Buchinski) in You re in the Navy Now ; film also the debut for Lee Marvin and Jack Warden
• 1954 First credited as Charles Bronson on Drum Beat
• 1968 First film in which he acted with Jill Ireland, Villa Rides ; couple were married that same year
• 1973 First made annual exhibitors poll of the top ten boxoffice stars; placed 8th
• 1976 Last of four consecutive appearance on annual top ten box office poll; placed 10th
• 1987 Last film in which he acted with wife Jill Ireland, The Assassination
• 1995 Made first in Family of Cops series of TV-movies for CBS playing police inspector Paul Fein
• During WWII served as gunner in Pacific Chapter
• Worked numerous odd jobs while studying acting