Charles Bronson

Date of Birth: November 3, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: August 30, 2003

Biography

Charles Bronson, born Charles Dennis Buchinsky, was an American actor known for his distinctive tough-guy persona and rugged looks. Born into a Lithuanian-American family in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, Bronson experienced a challenging childhood, working in coal mines from an early age to support his family. His early life of hardship deeply influenced his stoic, often silent screen presence. Bronson’s acting career began in the 1950s with small roles in films and television series. His breakout role came in 1960 with “The Magnificent Seven,” where he played the character Bernardo O’Reilly. Bronson’s career soared in the late 1960s and 1970s with iconic roles in films such as “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), “Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968), and the “Death Wish” series (starting in 1974), where he portrayed vigilante Paul Kersey. Throughout his career, Bronson was celebrated for his portrayals of anti-heroes and men of action. His distinctive style made him a favorite in both Hollywood and European cinema. Despite his tough-guy image, those who knew him personally described him as a reserved and private individual. Bronson continued to act until the late 1990s, leaving behind a legacy as one of the quintessential action stars of his generation.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Bronson

1. Charles Bronson was the son of Lithuanian immigrants and was the 11th of 15 children.

2. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.

3. Bronson changed his last name from Buchinsky to Bronson in the 1950s to avoid being blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

4. He was fluent in Lithuanian, Russian, and Greek, among other languages.

5. Bronson was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood during the 1970s, commanding salaries of $1 million per film.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Bronson

1. “I look like a quarry someone has dynamited.”

2. “I don’t have any friends, and I don’t want any friends.”

3. “Nobody stays with me. They all leave me. I think it’s because I’m a pain in the ass.”

4. “I guess I look like a rock quarry that someone has dynamited.”

5. “I’m only a product, like a cake of soap, to be sold as well as possible.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Charles Bronson’s net worth was estimated to be around $65 million.

Children

Charles Bronson had four children. He had two children, Tony and Suzanne, with his first wife, Harriet Tendler. He also had two children, Zuleika and Katrina, with his second wife, Jill Ireland.