Charles Bronson was born in Pennsylvania to Lithuanian parents. As a result of his upbringing, he could speak several languages fluently. He also worked in the coal mines where he was in a tunnel collapse resulting in a lifelong fear of closed spaces. This fear and his languages were integrated into his roles in The Great Escape (1963) and The Dirty Dozen (1967).
In 1943, Bronson joined the US Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner. He flew 25 combat missions before attending college on the GI Bill studying art. He was recommended to a director by one of the art professors and debut in You’re in the Navy Now (1951). Until the early 60s, he was given a lot of roles where he could show off his muscles by going shirtless.
His biggest break came when he was cast as a half Mexican/half Irish gunfighter Bernardo O’Reilly in The Magnificent Seven (1960). This was followed by the role of Danny Velinski, a tunnel rat in the star-studded The Great Escape (1963). To fill out the decade he was cast in another star-packed WWI movie, The Dirty Dozen (1967). Through the late 60s and early 70s he was cast in several westerns followed by diverse roles such as gangsters or hitmen.
His roles continued with tough-guy films such as Mr. Majestyk (1974) and Death Wish (1974) and its four sequels. He made films through the 80s often paired with his wife Jill Ireland but basically playing the same character. He died in 2003.
Reviewed Charles Bronson Films
- The Magnificent Seven (1960) Classic Movie Review 104
We’ll fight with guns if we have them. If we don’t, with machetes, axes, clubs, anything! – The Magnificent Seven The post The Magnificent Seven (1960) Classic Movie Review 104 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
- Battle of the Bulge (1965) Classic Movie Review 51
They have the fuel and planes to fly Cake over the Atlantic Ocean. – Battle of the Bulge (1965) Rough The post Battle of the Bulge (1965) Classic Movie Review 51 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
- Charles Bronson Bio
Charles Bronson the king of the movie tough guys from the 60s-80s. Charles Bronson was born in Pennsylvania to Lithuanian The post Charles Bronson Bio appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
- Hard Times (1975) Classic Movie Review 17
Well, you know Chick, like old momma said, next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing. Hard The post Hard Times (1975) Classic Movie Review 17 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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