Bronson, Charles (1922-2003)

US film actor. He developed the screen persona of a hard-bitten loner over the years, working in both Hollywood and Europe. His films include The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), The Dirty Dozen (1967), and memorably in C'era una volta il West/Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). He became best known for his role as a vigilante in Death Wish (1974) and its sequels.

Bronson made his debut in The Mob (1951). Among other films in which he appeared are Machine-Gun Kelly (1958), Mr Majestyk (1974), and The Indian Runner (1991).

Bronson was one of 15 children born to Lithuanian immigrant parents. He worked as a coalminer before serving in World War II. After the war he studied art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and acting at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.