Charles Bronson
Charles Buchinsky (Buchinski)
other
November 3, 1921
Scorpio
August 30, 2003
81
Ehrenfield, Pennsylvania
Charles Bronson was a Lithuanian-American actor praised as a true icon of international cinema. Trademarked with his rugged looks and long thin mustache, he often portrayed authoritarian figures. Bronson was most famous for his portrayal of a Depression-era street fighter in ‘Hard Times’ (1975). He also played another vigilante role in ‘Death Wish’ (1982) which got him paid with $1.5 million.
His father, born Valteris P. Bučinskis, changed his name to Walter Buchinsky, to sound more American. In 1954, the actor altered his surname to Bronson upon the suggestion of his agent who reckoned his Eastern European surname may affect his career.
Although born in Pennsylvania, he only spoke Lithuanian and Russian and only learned to speak English in his teen years. Later on as a famous actor, Bronson became an instant heir to a fan whom he had never met. She left him with an estate that cost over a million dollars. He was then sued by the stranger’s family which ended up settling everything in the court.
