If you had to name a Lithuanian actor or actress, you probably would have a hard time coming up with one. That said, you almost certainly have watched movies with great talent that came from this small European nation. One example is Charles Bronson, an iconic “man’s man” actor from the 60s-80s. If you’re a fan of 70s action films, Westerns, or war films from that era, you’ve likely seen some of Bronson’s work. Here’s a closer look at this great American-Lithuanian actor’s life and story.
The Early Life of Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson had a challenging upbringing. He was born on November 3rd, 1921, as the eleventh of fifteen children, into a Lithuanian immigrant family in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania. He experienced many hardships during the Great Depression, often going hungry due to his family’s poor economic status.
Bronson’s father passed away when he was just ten years old, forcing him and his brothers to work in Pennsylvania’s famous coal mines as children. He has been quoted numerous times about the horrible conditions and little pay he received as a child. The danger was real, as cave-ins were common, and he would only receive $1 for every ton of coal he mined, which often took him all week on double shifts.
Bronson’s Military Service and Initial Acting Career
After working in the mines until he was twenty, Bronson joined the Air Force in 1943 and afterward joined a theatrical group in Philadelphia and New York City before moving to Hollywood, where he started taking acting classes and filling small roles in movies. His initial parts were all under his original name, Charles Buchinsky, but due to the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), he decided to change his last name to Bronson at the advice of his agent.
At the time, there was a large wave of anti-Soviet feelings in the air, and the last name Buchinsky was believed to sound too “Eastern European.” His agent feared that it could damage or hinder his career if he kept acting under that name.
On set, he was always noted as being very quiet and withdrawn. Actors and artists such as Bronson often went to casinos after a long day week of work in the film industry. Today, it’s easier, thanks to the popularity of the internet, to go into an online casino from home anytime you want.
Road to Stardom
After changing his last name, Bronson saw a lot of success in Hollywood in smaller roles in war films and westerns. He also had a good amount of credits in cop-mobster movies such as Big House, U.S.A. and the TV series The Sheriff of Cochise.
In the 1960s, Bronson would become the leading support actor in Hollywood after starring in The Magnificent Seven. He would even be nominated for an Emmy Award after starring in an episode of CBS’s General Electric Theater.
In the late 60s and early 70s, Bronson became famous in Europe thanks to his work in spaghetti westerns and French films. After this string of success, he would return to America and, instead of being a supporting actor, would play the main role in many films. In 1973, he was the leading top box office attraction and would routinely be paid a million dollars per film.
Later Life and Death
Bronson would continue to star in films throughout the 80s and 90s. His fame had catapulted him to a level that not many actors get a chance to achieve. Bronson’s films were continually box office successes, and his stoic, rugged characters continued to be popular hits around the world. He was considered to be a man of mystery and intrigue. He wasn’t always thought to be the best-looking actor in Hollywood, but his tough exterior and talent certainly drove him to be a likable and relatable fan favorite.
Charles Bronson’s health quickly deteriorated as he got older, and he eventually passed away from complications from pneumonia and Alzheimer’s. He was 81 years old when he died on August 30th, 2003. He left behind an amazing legacy, filled with dozens of hit films and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To this day, he remains one of the most famous American-Lithuanian actors to have ever hit the big screen.
