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Charles Bronson Biography

Birth Name:
Charles Dennis Buchinsky
Birth Place:
Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • The 11th of 15 children born to Lithuanian immigrants in a small, western Pennsylvania town
  • Father died when he was 10; went to work in the coal mines to support his family
  • Served in World War II as an aircraft gunner
  • Changed his last name from Buchinsky to Bronson in 1954 due to the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings
  • Because he was able to burp on cue, won a small part in the 1951 movie You're in the Navy Now
  • One of The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Dirty Dozen (1967)
  • His first time headlining a movie wasn't until 1974's Death Wish
  • He reprised his role as Paul Kersey in four sequels

Awards

  • 1961Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Single Program: nominated

Relationships

  • Katrina Holden Bronson -- Daughter
  • Suzanne Bronson -- Daughter
  • Zulieka Bronson -- Daughter
  • Harriet Tendler -- Ex-wife
  • Tony Bronson -- Son
  • Jason David McCallum -- Stepson
  • Paul McCallum -- Stepson
  • Valentine McCallum -- Stepson