View source for Charles Bronson

{{Short description|American actor (1921–2003)}}
{{about|the American actor|other people named Charles Bronson|Charles Bronson (disambiguation)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Charles Bronson
| image              = Charles Bronson - 1966.JPG
| caption            = Bronson in 1965
| birth_name         = Charles Dennis Buchinsky<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/27386/a-classic-migrant-success-story-charles-bronson-201327386|title=A classic immigrant success story – Charles Bronson|newspaper=[[The Lithuania Tribune]]|date=January 23, 2013|access-date=July 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221416/http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/27386/a-classic-migrant-success-story-charles-bronson-201327386/|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1921|11|3}}
| birth_place        = [[Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2003|8|30|1921|11|3}}
| death_place        = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| burial_place       = Brownsville Cemetery <br> [[West Windsor, Vermont]], U.S.
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1951–1999
| children           = 4, including [[Katrina Holden Bronson]]
| module             = {{Infobox military person
|embed               = yes
|allegiance          = United States
|branch              = {{tree list}}
* [[United States Army]]
** [[Army Air Forces]]
{{tree list/end}}
|serviceyears        = 1943–1946
|rank                = [[Corporal]]
|unit                = {{tree list}}
* [[39th Bombardment Group]]
** {{nowrap|61st Bombardment Squadron}}
{{tree list/end}}
|battles             = {{tree list}}
* [[World War II]]
** [[Pacific War|Asia-Pacific Theatre]]
{{tree list/end}}
| awards        = [[Purple Heart]]

}}
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|Harriett Tendler|1949|1965|end=div}}
* {{Marriage|[[Jill Ireland]]|1968|1990|end=died}}
* {{Marriage|Kim Weeks|1998<!--Year omitted per Template:Marriage instructions-->}}
}}
}}

'''Charles Bronson''' (born '''Charles Dennis Buchinsky'''; November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an American actor. He was known for his roles in action films and his "granite features and brawny physique". Bronson was born into extreme poverty in [[Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania]], a [[coal mining]] town in the [[Allegheny Mountains]]. Bronson's father, a miner, died when Bronson was young. Bronson himself worked in the mines as well until joining the [[United States Army Air Forces]] in 1943 to fight in [[World War II]]. After his service, he joined a theatrical troupe and studied acting. During the 1950s, he played various supporting roles in motion pictures and television, including [[anthology drama]] TV series in which he would appear as the main character. Near the end of the decade, he had his first cinematic leading role in ''[[Machine-Gun Kelly (film)|Machine-Gun Kelly]]'' (1958).

Bronson had sizeable co-starring roles in ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960), ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'' (1963), ''[[This Property Is Condemned]]'' (1966), and ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]'' (1967). Bronson also performed in many major television shows, and was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]] for his supporting role in an episode of ''[[General Electric Theater]].'' Actor [[Alain Delon]] (who was a fan of Bronson) hired him to co-star with him in the French film ''[[Adieu l'ami]]'' (1968). That year, he also played one of the leads in the Italian [[spaghetti Western]], ''[[Once Upon a Time in the West]]'' (1968). Bronson continued playing leads in various [[Action film|action]], [[Western film|Western]], and [[war film]]s made in Europe, including ''[[Rider on the Rain]]'' (1970), which won a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film]]. During this time Bronson was the most popular American actor in Europe.

After this period, he returned to the United States to make more films, working with director [[Michael Winner]]. Their early collaborations included ''[[Chato's Land]]'' (1972), ''[[The Mechanic (1972 film)|The Mechanic]]'' (1972) and ''[[The Stone Killer]]'' (1973). At this point, he became the world's top box-office star, commanding a salary of $1 million per film. In 1974, Bronson starred in the controversial film [[Death Wish (1974 film)|''Death Wish'']] (also directed by Winner), about an architect turned vigilante, a role that typified most of the characters he played for the rest of his career. Most critics initially panned the film as exploitative, but the movie was a major box-office success and spawned [[Death Wish (film series)|four sequels]].

Until his retirement in the late 1990s, Bronson almost exclusively played lead roles in action-oriented films, such as ''[[Mr. Majestyk]]'' (1974), ''[[Hard Times (1975 film)|Hard Times]]'' (1975), ''[[St. Ives (1976 film)|St. Ives]]'' (1976), ''[[The White Buffalo (film)|The White Buffalo]]'' (1977), ''[[Telefon (film)|Telefon]]'' (1977), and ''[[Assassination (1987 film)|Assassination]]'' (1987). During this time he often collaborated with director [[J. Lee Thompson]]. He also made a number of non-action television films in which he acted against type. His last significant role in cinema was a supporting one in a dramatic film, ''[[The Indian Runner]]'' (1991); his performance in it was praised by reviewers.

==Early life and war service==
Bronson was born November 3, 1921, in [[Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania]], a [[coal mining]] region in the [[Allegheny Mountains]], north of [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania|Johnstown]]. He was the 11th of 15 children born into a [[Roman Catholic]] family of [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanian]] descent. The very large family slept in shifts in their cold-water shack. The coal car tracks that ran out of the mine's mouth passed just a few yards away.<ref name="CB">{{cite book |author=Michael R. Pitts |title=Charles Bronson: the 95 films and the 156 television appearances |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=1999 |isbn=0-7864-0601-1 |page=1}}</ref><ref name="ENC">{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of early television crime fighters: all regular cast members in American crime and mystery series, 1948–59 |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=2006 |isbn=0-7864-2476-1 |page=80}}</ref> His father, Walter Buchinsky ({{ne}} Vladislavas Valteris Paulius Bučinskas/Bučinskis),<ref name="CB" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Michael R. Pitts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hsFZAAAAMAAJ |title=Charles Bronson: the 95 films and the 156 television appearances |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-7864-0601-2 |page=1 |access-date=August 17, 2013}}</ref> was a [[Lipka Tatar]] from [[Druskininkai]] in southern [[Lithuania]].<ref>[https://walkoffame.com/charles-bronson/ Bronson], walkoffame.com. Accessed June 6, 2024.</ref> Bronson's mother, Mary (née Valinsky), whose parents were from Lithuania, was born in [[Tamaqua, Pennsylvania]], in the [[Coal Region]].<ref name="obituariestoday.com">{{cite news|title=Charles Bronson, Actor|url=http://www.obituariestoday.com/Obituaries/ObitShow.cfm?Obituary_ID=30541|access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Hollywood star Bronson dies|date=September 1, 2003|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3153769.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="USA today">{{cite news|title=Action film star Charles Bronson dead at 81|date=August 31, 2003|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-08-31-bronson-dies_x.htm|work=USA Today|access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US movie legend Bronson is dead|url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/US-movie-legend-Bronson-is.2457999.jp|work=The Scotsman|access-date=April 21, 2009|location=Edinburgh|date=September 1, 2003}}</ref>

Bronson said English was not spoken at home during his childhood, like many other first-generation American children he grew up with. He once recounted that even as a soldier, his accent was strong enough to make his comrades think he was a foreigner.<ref name="ebert">{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Charles Bronson: "It's just that I don't like to talk very much."|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/charles-bronson-its-just-that-i-dont-like-to-talk-very-much|work=Roger Ebert Interviews|date=December 14, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2013|author-link=Roger Ebert}}</ref> Besides English, he could speak Lithuanian and Russian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Movie Star Charles Bronson (1921–2003) – Son of a Lithuanian coal miner |url=http://vilnews.com/2012-04-12851 |website=vilnews.com |access-date=October 28, 2019 |quote=American actor Charles Bronson claimed to have spoken no English at home during his childhood in Pennsylvania.}}</ref>

In a 1973 interview, Bronson remarked that he did not know his father very well, and was not sure if he loved or hated him, adding that all he could remember about him was that whenever his mother announced that his father was coming home, the children would hide.<ref name="Lardine-2">{{cite news |last1=Lardine |first1=Bob |title=Big Bad Bronson (continuation)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43990510/long_charles_bronson_profile2// |access-date=February 10, 2020 |work=The Miami Herald |agency=New York News Service |date=March 18, 1973 |pages=10H|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In 1933, after his father died of cancer, Bronson went to work in the coal mines, first in the mining office and then in the mine.<ref name="CB" /> He later said he earned one dollar for each ton of coal that he mined.<ref name="ebert" /> In another interview, he said that he had to work double shifts to earn $1 ({{Inflation|US|1|1933|fmt=eq}}) a week.<ref name="Lardine-2" /> Bronson later recounted that he and his brother engaged in dangerous work removing "stumps" between the mines, and that cave-ins were common.<ref name="Lardine-2" />

The family suffered extreme poverty during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], and Bronson recalled going hungry many times. His mother could not afford milk for his younger sister, so she was fed warm tea instead.<ref name="Lardine-2" /> He said he had to wear his elder sister's dress to school for lack of clothing.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|author=Richard Severo|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/01/nyregion/charles-bronson-81-dies-muscular-movie-tough-guy.html|title=Charles Bronson, 81, Dies; Muscular Movie Tough Guy|date=September 1, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>Ed Lucaire; ''Celebrity Setbacks: 800 Stars who Overcame the Odds'' ({{ISBN|0-671-85031-8}}) as well as ''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]''</ref> Bronson was the first member of his family to graduate from high school.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Evans |first=Art |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u3ntDwAAQBAJ |title=World War II Veterans in Hollywood |date=2020-07-09 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1-4766-7777-4 |pages=134, 140 |language=en}}</ref>

Bronson worked in the mines until enlisting in the [[United States Army Air Forces]] in 1943 during [[World War II]].<ref name="CB" /> He served in the 760th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron, and in 1945 as a [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]] [[aerial gunner]] with the [[Guam]]-based 61st Bombardment Squadron<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.togetherweserved.com/profile/117819 |title=Together We Served – Sgt Charles Dennis Bronson |publisher=Airforce.togetherweserved.com |date=August 18, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> within the [[39th Bombardment Group]], which conducted combat missions against the [[Japanese home islands]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/18/nyregion/c-corrections-340529.html |title=Corrections |date=September 18, 2003 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=April 28, 2010}}</ref> He flew 25 missions and received a [[Purple heart winners|Purple Heart]] for wounds received in battle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/famous-veterans-charles-bronson.html |title=famous veterans Charles Bronson |date=December 12, 2013 |publisher=military.com |access-date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>

==Career and education==
=== 1946 to 1951: acting training ===
After the end of World War II, Bronson did odd jobs until a theatrical group in [[Philadelphia]] hired him to paint scenery, which led to acting in minor roles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Charles Bronson {{!}} Biographies, Movies, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Bronson |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> He later shared an apartment in New York City with [[Jack Klugman]], who was an aspiring actor at the time. Eventually, he moved to Hollywood, where he enrolled in acting classes at the [[Pasadena Playhouse]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Charles Bronson |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/336444%7C29090/Charles-Bronson/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Turner Classic Movies |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1951 to 1958: early films to leading roles ===
In his early career, Bronson was still credited as Charles Buchinsky.<ref name=":1" /> His first film role&nbsp;– an uncredited one&nbsp;– was as a sailor in ''[[You're in the Navy Now]]'' in 1951, directed by [[Henry Hathaway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50379-YOURE-IN-THE-NAVY-NOW?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Other screen appearances in 1951 were ''[[The Mob (film)|The Mob]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50212-THE-MOB?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and ''[[The People Against O'Hara]]'', directed by [[John Sturges]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50244-THE-PEOPLE-AGAINST-OHARA?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1952, he acted in ''[[Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952 film)|Bloodhounds of Broadway]]'';<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50427-BLOODHOUNDS-OF-BROADWAY?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Battle Zone (film)|Battle Zone]]'';<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50408-BATTLE-ZONE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Pat and Mike]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50612-PAT-AND-MIKE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Diplomatic Courier]]'' (1952),<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50466-DIPLOMATIC-COURIER?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Henry Hathaway's ''[[My Six Convicts]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50588-MY-SIX-CONVICTS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[The Marrying Kind]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50568-THE-MARRYING-KIND?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and ''[[Red Skies of Montana]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50626-RED-SKIES-OF-MONTANA?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

That same year on television, he boxed in a ring with [[Roy Rogers]] in Rogers' show ''Knockout''. He appeared on an episode of ''[[The Red Skelton Show]]'' as a boxer in a skit with Skelton playing "Cauliflower McPugg". He appeared with fellow guest star [[Lee Marvin]] in an episode of ''Biff Baker, U.S.A.'', an espionage series on [[CBS]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Pitts |first=Michael R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMOSCgAAQBAJ&dq=%22charles+bronson%22+%22biff+baker%22&pg=PA318 |title=Charles Bronson: The 95 Films and the 156 Television Appearances |date=2015-09-17 |publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-1-4766-1035-1 |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|page=318}}

In 1953, he played Igor, the sidekick of [[Vincent Price]], in the horror film ''[[House of Wax (1953 film)|House of Wax]]'', directed by [[Andre de Toth]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50877-HOUSE-OF-WAX?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> To prepare his role as a mute he took a course in [[sign language]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 9, 1953 |title=Learns sign language |journal=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News |volume=49 |pages=19}}</ref> Ben S. Parker of ''[[The Commercial Appeal]]'' said "Buchinsky adds mute menace as a deaf-and-dumb assistant to the madman".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Parker |first=Ben S. |date=May 7, 1953 |title=Goose pimples in 3 dimensions are yours at the 'House of Wax' |journal=The Commercial Appeal |pages=48}}</ref> In the US, the film reached 4th place on the biggest box office list of that year and making $23 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers – Top-Grossing Movies of 1953 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1953/top-grossing-movies |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=The Numbers}}</ref> The [[Library of Congress]] selected ''House of Wax'' for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]] in 2014, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite web |title=New Films Added to National Registry – News Releases – Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2014/14-210.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225022702/https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-14-210/ |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=November 1, 2016 |publisher=loc.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217172059/https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |access-date=2020-06-25 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>

That same year, he had roles in ''[[The Clown (1953 film)|The Clown]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50790-THE-CLOWN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and [[Off Limits (1953 film)|''Off Limits'']]''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50964-OFF-LIMITS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1954, he appeared in ''[[Riding Shotgun (film)|Riding Shotgun]]'', starring [[Randolph Scott]], directed by de Toth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51326-RIDING-SHOTGUN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> It was reported that he got the role due to the quality of his performance in ''House of Wax.''<ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 7, 1953 |title=Another top role goes to Charles Buchinsky |journal=The Charlotte Observer |volume=85 |pages=13–B}}</ref> That year on television, he acted in "The Case of the Desperate Men", and episode of ''[[Treasury Men in Action]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1954 |title=T-Men trail vengeful pair |work=The Atlanta Journal |pages=18–F}}</ref>

Also that year, he acted in the film ''[[Apache (film)|Apache]]'' for director [[Robert Aldrich]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/53395-APACHE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Tennessee Champ]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51371-TENNESSEE-CHAMP?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Miss Sadie Thompson]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/50943-MISS-SADIE-THOMPSON?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Crime Wave (1954 film)|Crime Wave]]'' directed by de Toth, ''[[Vera Cruz (film)|Vera Cruz]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51398-VERA-CRUZ?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and ''[[Drum Beat]],'' directed by [[Delmer Daves]].'''''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/53407-DRUM-BEAT?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>'' '''

Also in 1954, during the height of the [[Red Scare]] and the [[House Un-American Activities Committee]] (HUAC) proceedings, he changed his surname from Buchinsky to Bronson at the suggestion of his agent, who feared that a Russian surname might damage his career.<ref>{{cite book | first=Steven | last=Whitney | authorlink=Steven Whitney | title=Charles Bronson Superstar | publisher=Robert Hale Ltd. | year=1975 | pages=74–75 |isbn=0-7091-7134-X }}</ref>

In 1955, Bronson acted in ''[[Target Zero]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51680-TARGET-ZERO?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Big House, U.S.A.]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51443-BIG-HOUSE-USA?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and ''[[Jubal (film)|Jubal]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/51884-JUBAL?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> That year on television he played a lead in "A Chain of Hearts", an episode of the [[anthology drama]] series [[Cavalcade of America|''DuPont Cavalcade Theater'']].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lilley |first=George |date=November 18, 1955 |title=Little things about the stars |journal=Lykens Register |volume=57 |pages=3}}</ref>

In 1956 he acted in [[Sam Fuller]]'s ''[[Run of the Arrow]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/53489-RUN-OF-THE-ARROW?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> That year on television, he played [[Alexis St. Martin]] in "Who Search for Truth", an episode of [[Medic (TV series)|''Medic'']].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1956 |title=Drama tells story of medical story |access-date= |work=The Sacramento Bee |pages=F-28}}</ref> Also that year he started acting in the television show ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' and would return over the years. These episodes are "And So Died Riabouchinska" (Season 1 Episode 20, which aired 2/10/1956), "There Was an Old Woman" (1956), and "The Woman Who Wanted to Live" (1962).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alfred-hitchcock-presents/episodes-season-1/1030036985/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alfred-hitchcock-presents/episodes-season-7/1030036985/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1957, Bronson was cast in the Western series ''[[Colt .45 (TV series)|Colt .45]]'' as an outlaw named Danny Arnold in the episode "Young Gun".<ref>{{citation|url=http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Colt45.htm|title=Young Gun|publisher=ctva.biz|access-date=December 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504075613/http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Colt45.htm|archive-date=May 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He had the lead role in the episode "The Apache Kid" of the [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] crime drama ''[[The Sheriff of Cochise]]'', starring [[John Bromfield]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yoggy |first=Gary A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qSzuAAAAMAAJ&q=%22charles+bronson%22+%22The+Sheriff+of+Cochise%22 |title=Riding the Video Range: The Rise and Fall of the Western on Television |date=1995 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-0021-8 |pages=174 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=313}} He appeared in five episodes of [[Richard Boone]]'s ''[[Have Gun – Will Travel]]'' (1957–63). He guest-starred in the short-lived [[CBS]] situation comedy, ''[[Hey, Jeannie!]]''<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=319}}

In May 1958, [[Roger Corman]]'s biopic of a [[Machine Gun Kelly (gangster)|real life gangster]] ''[[Machine-Gun Kelly (film)|Machine-Gun Kelly]]'' premiered, and in it Bronson plays the lead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/52652-MACHINE-GUN-KELLY?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Geoffrey M. Warren of ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' said Bronson makes Kelly "a full, three dimensional human being".<ref>'Kelly' Surprises as New Crime Sleeper, Warren, Geoffrey M. ''Los Angeles Times'', 4 July 1958: 12.</ref>

In June 1958, ''[[Showdown at Boot Hill]]'' premiered, where he played the lead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/52733-SHOWDOWN-AT-BOOT-HILL?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

The following July ''[[Gang War (1958 film)|Gang War]]'' started its theatrical run.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/52559-GANG-WAR?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> In this film, Bronson plays the lead as a Los Angeles high-school teacher who witnesses a gangland killing and agrees to testify, not realizing this will cause retaliation.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 29, 1958 |title=Victoria |journal=Shamokin News-Dispatch |volume=XXV |pages=12}}</ref>

In 1958 on television, Bronson appeared as [[Butch Cassidy]] on the [[television Western]] ''[[Tales of Wells Fargo]]'' in the episode titled "Butch Cassidy".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wells Fargo |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/wells-fargo/episodes-season-3/1000246789/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Charles Bronson Man With a Camera 1959.JPG|thumb|upright|Bronson in ''[[Man with a Camera]]'', 1959]]
On October 10, 1959 [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s series ''[[Man with a Camera]]'' premiered. Bronson played the lead, Mike Kovac, a freelance crime fighting photographer in New York City.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Scheuer |first=Steven H. |date=October 7, 1958 |title=Ex-coal miner gets series lead |journal=Mount Vernon Argus |pages=14}}</ref> The show lasted two season until 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man With a Camera |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/man-with-a-camera/episodes-season-2/1000128922/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515223239/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/man-with-a-camera/episodes-season-2/1000128922/ |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

The following November ''[[When Hell Broke Loose]]'' premiered, where he played the lead''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/52795-WHEN-HELL-BROKE-LOOSE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

=== 1959 to 1968: supporting roles in major projects to European breakthrough ===
In 1959, Bronson had a supporting role in an expensive war film, ''[[Never So Few]]'', directed by John Sturges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/52971-NEVER-SO-FEW?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1959, on television, he acted in the ''[[Yancy Derringer]]'' episode "Hell and High Water",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yancy Derringer |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/yancy-derringer/episodes-season-1/1000028298/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516012416/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/yancy-derringer/episodes-season-1/1000028298/ |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> and in ''[[U.S. Marshal (TV series)|U.S. Marshal]]''.<ref name="chuck">{{cite book |last=Pitts |first=Michael R. |title=Charles Bronson: The 95 Films and the 156 Television Appearances |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=1999 |isbn=0-7864-0601-1 |page=313}}</ref>

In 1960, in John Sturges's ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'', he played one of seven gunfighters taking up the cause of the defenseless.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/53218-THE-MAGNIFICENT-SEVEN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> According to co-star [[Eli Wallach]], during filming "Bronson was a loner who kept to himself."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanlegends.com/actors/eili%20wallach/index.html|title=Eli Wallach}}</ref> He received $50,000 ({{Inflation|US|50000|1960|fmt=eq}}) for this role.<ref>"Stagecoach to tombstone: the filmgoers' guide to the great westerns". I.B. Tauris, 2008; {{ISBN|1-84511-571-6}}/{{ISBN|978-1-84511-571-5}}</ref> The film was a domestic [[box-office disappointment]], but it proved to be such a smash hit in Europe that it ultimately made a profit.<ref name="rental">{{cite magazine |date=January 4, 1961 |title=Rental Potentials of 1960 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=47}}</ref><ref>Mirisch, Walter (2008). ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' (p. 113). [[University of Wisconsin Press]], [[Madison, Wisconsin]]. {{ISBN|0-299-22640-9}}.</ref> ''[[Harrison's Reports]]'' praised the film as "A superb Western, well-acted and crammed full of action, human interest, pathos, suspense, plus some romance and humor."<ref>{{cite journal |date=October 8, 1960 |title=Film Review: The Magnificent Seven |journal=[[Harrison's Reports]] |page=162}}</ref> In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name="2013Add">{{cite press release |title=Library of Congress announces 2013 National Film Registry selections |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 18, 2013 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/library-of-congress-announces-2013-national-film-registry-selections/2013/12/17/eba98bce-6737-11e3-ae56-22de072140a2_story.html?tid=hpModule_ef3e52c4-8691-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394 |access-date=December 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |access-date=2020-05-05 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>

In 1960, he acted in "Zigzag", an episode of ''[[Riverboat (TV series)|Riverboat]];''<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 26, 1960 |title=Today on TV |journal=The Boston Globe |volume=CLXXVIII |pages=55}}</ref> "The Generous Politician", an episode of ''[[The Islanders (TV series)|The Islanders]];''<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=320}} and "Street of Hate", an episode of ''[[Laramie (TV series)|Laramie]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laramie |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/laramie/episodes-season-1/1000241462/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> He played a recurring role in the second season of ''[[Hennesey]]''. The first episode was episode 3, "Hennesey a la Gunn", and the second one was episode 26, "The Nogoodnik", which aired in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hennesey |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/hennesey/episodes-season-2/1000278526/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515232750/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/hennesey/episodes-season-2/1000278526/ |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Charles Bronson-Patricia Owens in X-15.jpg|thumb|upright|A publicity photo of Bronson and [[Patricia Owens]] for the film ''[[X-15 (film)|X-15]]'', 1961]]
In 1961, Bronson played supporting roles in [[William Witney]]'s ''[[Master of the World (1961 film)|Master of the World]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23283-MASTER-OF-THE-WORLD?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> [[Joseph Newman (director)|Joseph Newman]]'s ''[[A Thunder of Drums]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/21509-A-THUNDER-OF-DRUMS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and [[Richard Donner]]'s ''[[X-15 (film)|X-15]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/20461-X-15?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

On television in 1961, Bronson played a boxer in an episode of ''[[Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond|One Step Beyond]]'' titled "The Last Round", aired January 10,<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Step Beyond |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/one-step-beyond/episodes-season-3/1030245529/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> and he starred alongside [[Elizabeth Montgomery]] in a ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|Twilight Zone]]'' episode named "[[Two (The Twilight Zone)|Two]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Twilight Zone |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-twilight-zone/episodes-season-3/1000250940/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521185540/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-twilight-zone/episodes-season-3/1000250940/ |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> Bronson was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]] for his supporting role in an episode entitled "Memory in White" of CBS's ''[[General Electric Theater]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Feck |first=Luke |date=May 16, 1961 |title=Today's Channel Check |journal=The Cincinnati Enquirer |pages=12}}</ref>

In 1962, Bronson acted in the [[Elvis Presley]] film ''[[Kid Galahad]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23241-KID-GALAHAD?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1963, in John Sturges's ''[[The Great Escape (film)|The Great Escape]]'', Bronson was part of an ensemble cast who played World War II [[prisoners of war]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23871-THE-GREAT-ESCAPE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> The film received acclaim. On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the critics consensus reads, "With its impeccably slow-building story and a cast for the ages, ''The Great Escape'' is an all-time action classic."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Escape |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_escape/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318010820/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_escape/ |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |access-date=March 15, 2015 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> It grossed $11.7&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|US|11700000|1963|fmt=eq}}) at the box office<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Escape – Box Office Data |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Great-Escape-The#tab=summary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322174645/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Great-Escape-The#tab=summary |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2015 |work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]].}}</ref> on a budget of $4 million ({{Inflation|US|4000000|1963|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="sturges">{{cite book |last=Lovell |first=Glenn |url=https://archive.org/details/escapeartistlife00love_438/page/n232 |title=Escape Artist: The Life and Films of John Sturges |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press |year=2008 |page=224 |url-access=limited}}</ref> It became [[1963 in film|one of the highest-grossing films of 1963]].<ref name="Eder2009">{{cite web |last=Eder |first=Bruce |year=2009 |title=Review: The Great Escape |url=http://www.allmovie.com/work/the-great-escape-20652/review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731194505/http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/the-great-escape-v20652?r=allmovie |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2009 |work=[[AllMovie]] |publisher=Macrovision Corporation}}</ref> It was nominated for Best Picture at the [[Golden Globe Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Great Escape, The |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/great-escape |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Golden Globes}}</ref> and is 19th in [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AFI's 100 YEARS…100 THRILLS |url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-thrills/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=American Film Institute |language=en}}</ref>

Also that year he played a villain in [[Robert Aldrich]]'s ''[[4 for Texas]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/19374-4-FOR-TEXAS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

On television that year, he co-starred in the series ''[[Empire (1962 TV series)|Empire]],''<ref>{{cite book |last=Pitts |first=Michael R. |title=Charles Bronson: The 95 Films and the 156 Television Appearances |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=1999 |isbn=0-7864-0601-1 |pages=274–77}}</ref> which lasted one season.<ref name="Vincent">{{cite book |last=Terrance |first=Vincent |url=https://archive.org/details/completeencyclop0000terr/page/138 |title=Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs (1947–1979) |publisher=A. S. Barnes and Co. |year=1979 |isbn=0-498-02488-1 |volume=1 |location=[[Cranbury, New Jersey|Cranbury]], [[New Jersey]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/completeencyclop0000terr/page/138 138]}}</ref> Bronson acted in the 1963–64 television season of the ABC Western series ''[[The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV series)|The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-travels-of-jaimie-mcpheeters/episodes-season-1/1030005287/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1964, Bronson guest-starred in an episode of the Western TV series ''[[Bonanza]]'' named "The Underdog".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bonanza |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/bonanza/episodes-season-6/1030242320/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Charles Bronson The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters 1963.JPG|thumb|upright|Bronson in ''[[The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV series)|The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters]]'', 1963]]
In 1965, Bronson acted in ''[[Guns of Diablo]]'', a film derived from the television series ''The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guns of Diablo |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/guns-of-diablo/cast/2030125528/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> Also that year, he acted in [[Ken Annakin]]'s ''[[Battle of the Bulge (1965 film)|Battle of the Bulge]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/19668-BATTLE-OF-THE-BULGE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

That year in television, in the 1965–1966 season, he guest-starred in an episode of ''[[The Legend of Jesse James (TV series)|The Legend of Jesse James]]''. Bronson was cast as Velasquez, a demolitions expert, in the third-season episode, titled "Heritage", on ABC's WW II drama ''[[Combat!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Combat! |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/combat/episodes-season-3/1000036166/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1966, Bronson played a central character in [[Sydney Pollack]]'s ''[[This Property Is Condemned]]'', based on a [[Tennessee Williams]]'s play.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/22728-THIS-PROPERTY-IS-CONDEMNED?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Elston Brooks of the ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' said "Bronson has never been better as the embittered boarder".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brooks |first=Elston |date=August 25, 1966 |title=Obscure Williams play finds happiness in film |journal=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |pages=6}}</ref>

Also that year, Bronson acted in [[Vincente Minnelli]]'s ''[[The Sandpiper]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/18739-THE-SANDPIPER?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1967, in Robert Aldrich's ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]'', Bronson was part of an ensemble cast who played GI-prisoners trained for a suicide mission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23682-THE-DIRTY-DOZEN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''The Dirty Dozen'' was a massive commercial success. In its first five days in New York, the film grossed $103,849 from 2 theatres.<ref name="quick">{{cite magazine |date=August 9, 1967 |title='Heat of Night' Scores With Crix; Quick B.O. Pace |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=3}}</ref> Produced on a budget of $5.4&nbsp;million, it earned [[theatrical rental]]s of $7.5&nbsp;million in its first five weeks from 1,152 bookings and 625 prints, one of the fastest-grossing films at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=August 9, 1967 |title='Dirty Dozen' Nabs $7.5-Mil. In 5 Wks. |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=3}}</ref> On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the critics consensus reads, "Amoral on the surface and exuding testosterone, ''The Dirty Dozen'' utilizes combat and its staggering cast of likeable scoundrels to deliver raucous entertainment."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dirty Dozen |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dirty_dozen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427150808/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dirty_dozen/ |archive-date=April 27, 2011 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> It is 65th in [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills]].<ref name=":0" />

That year on television, he guest-starred as Ralph Schuyler, an undercover government agent, in the episode "The One That Got Away" on ABC's ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fugitive |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-fugitive/episodes-season-4/1030068474/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528132523/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-fugitive/episodes-season-4/1030068474/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1968, Bronson made a serious name for himself in European films. He was making ''Villa Rides'' when approached by the producers of [[Jean Herman]]'s French film ''[[Adieu l'ami]]'' looking for an American co-star for [[Alain Delon]], a fan of Bronson's acting. Bronson's agent Paul Kohner later recalled the producer pitched the actor "on the fact that in the American film industry all the money, all the publicity, goes to the pretty boy hero types. In Europe... the public is attracted by character, not face."<ref name="new">America discovers a 'sacred monster': Bronson looks as if at any moment he's about to hit someone. 'Charlie Bronson really is a guy with a lot of humor and a lot of tenderness, both of which he hides.' By Bill Davidson, ''New York Times'', September 22, 1974: 260.</ref> Bronson was signed in December 1967. The film was shot in Marseilles and Paris.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Martin, Betty |date=Dec 29, 1967 |title=MOVIE CALL SHEET: Wolper, Wood Buy Story |page=c15 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The film was a massive hit in France, earning around $6 million at the box office. Bronson went on to star in a series of European made movies that were hugely popular.<ref name="new2">{{Cite news |author=Bill DavidsonRobert Mitchum |date=Sep 22, 1974 |title=America discovers a 'sacred monster': Bronson looks as if at any moment he's about to hit someone. 'Charlie Bronson really is a guy with a lot of humor and a lot of tenderness, both of which he hides.' |page=260 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> ''TV Guide'' praised the chemistry between Delon and Bronson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Farewell, Friend {{!}} ''TV Guide'' |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/farewell-friend/review/114365 |access-date=2019-10-13 |work=[[TV Guide]]|language=en}}</ref>

Another European success was [[Sergio Leone]]'s [[Spaghetti Western]] ''[[Once Upon a Time in the West]]'', where he played one of the leads.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/21519-ONCE-UPON-A-TIME-IN-THE-WEST?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Bronson had turned down Leone prior to this film for the lead in 1964's ''[[A Fistful of Dollars]]''.<ref>"REX REED REPORTS: Don't page Bronson now—unless you have a million". Reed, Rex. ''Chicago Tribune'', July 23, 1972: j7.</ref><ref>"Bronson Stars in Europe". Knapp, Dan. ''Los Angeles Times'', September 4, 1971: a8.</ref> In Italy, the film sold 8,870,732 tickets.<ref>{{cite web |title=C\'era una volta il West (Once Upon a Time in the West) |url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=9020&view=32 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=JP's Box-Office |language=fr}}</ref> In the United States, it grossed $5,321,508,<ref>{{cite web |title=Box Office Information for ''Once Upon a Time in the West'' |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1969/0CUVW.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705062123/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1969/0CUVW.php |archive-date=5 July 2014 |access-date=12 September 2013 |work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]}}</ref> from {{nowrap|3.7 million}} ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web |title=Однажды на Диком Западе (1968) — дата выхода в России и других странах |trans-title=Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) — Release dates in Russia and other countries |url=https://www.kinopoisk.ru/film/376/dates/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=[[Kinopoisk]] |language=ru}}</ref> It sold a further 14,873,804 admissions in France<ref name="france">[http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com.au&sl=fr&u=http://www.boxofficestory.com/box-office-charles-bronson-c22551631/14&usg=ALkJrhhdcBsxGU0IVQS2v_UF7TG2dwPj5g Box office information for film] at Box Office Story</ref> and 13,018,414 admissions in Germany.<ref name="GermanAdm">{{cite web |title=Top 100 Deutschland |url=http://www.insidekino.com/DJahr/DAlltime100.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225105406/http://www.insidekino.com/DJahr/DAlltime100.htm |archive-date=25 December 2017 |access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> The film was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name="Yahoo">{{Cite news |date=30 December 2009 |title=25 new titles added to National Film Registry |newspaper=Yahoo News |publisher=Yahoo |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091230/ap_en_mo/us_classic_films_glance |url-status=dead |access-date=30 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106004526/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091230/ap_en_mo/us_classic_films_glance |archive-date=6 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507094100/https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |archive-date=7 May 2016 |access-date=2020-05-07 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref> The film is regarded as one of the greatest Westerns of all time and one of the [[greatest films of all time]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellison |first=Christine |date=2011-05-09 |title=The 100 Greatest Westerns of All Time |url=https://americancowboy.com/lifestyle/100-greatest-westerns-all-time/ |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=American Cowboy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phipps |first=Keith |date=2022-03-24 |title=The 50 Greatest Western Movies Ever Made |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/50-best-western-movies-ever.html |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Greatest Films of All Time |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/greatest-films-all-time |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=BFI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Directors' 100 Greatest Films of All Time |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/directors-100-greatest-films-all-time |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=BFI |language=en}}</ref> Leone called Bronson "the greatest actor I ever worked with".<ref name="dambrosio2011">{{cite book|last1=D'Ambrosio|first1=Brian|title=Menacing Face Worth Millions: A Life of Charles Bronson|date=2011|publisher=Lulu|location=Raleigh, NC|isbn=978-1-105-22629-8|url={{Google books|e6x7AwAAQBAJ|page=130|plainurl=yes|access-date=July 20, 2015}}}}</ref>{{rp|123}}

Also that year, Bronson acted in [[Henri Verneuil]]'s ''[[Guns for San Sebastian]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23017-GUNS-FOR-SAN-SEBASTIAN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and [[Buzz Kulik]]'s ''[[Villa Rides]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/22706-VILLA-RIDES?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> He was also set to star in ''[[Duck, You Sucker!]]'' (1972), but did not work on the project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54460-DUCK-YOU-SUCKER?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

=== 1969 to 1973: subsequent success to US breakthrough ===
In 1969, he was being considered to co-star in ''[[99 and 44/100% Dead]]'' (1974), while early drafts of the script were being made.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67618-99-AND-44100-DEAD?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1970, Bronson played lead roles in Richard Donner's ''[[Lola (1969 film)|Lola]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54365-LOLA?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> [[Peter Collinson (film director)|Peter Collinson]]'s ''[[You Can't Win 'Em All]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/20631-YOU-CANT-WIN-EM-ALL?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> [[Sergio Sollima]]'s ''[[Violent City]],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54929-THE-FAMILY?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and [[Terence Young (director)|Terence Young]]'s ''[[Cold Sweat (1970 film)|Cold Sweat]].''

Also in 1970, Bronson played a lead in [[René Clément]]'s French thriller, ''[[Rider on the Rain]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rider on the Rain |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/24260/rider-on-the-rain |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Turner Classic Movies |language=en}}</ref> It was a hit in France as well as the United States and solidified Bronson's rise to international stardom.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=170}} Wanda Hale of the [[Daily News (New York)|''Daily News'']] gave it four stars and said Bronson is "marvelous as the tough American colonel".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hale |first=Wanda |date=May 25, 1970 |title=Love of films revived by 'Rider on the rain' |journal=Daily News |volume=51 |pages=25C}}</ref> It won a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rider on the Rain |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/rider-rain |website=goldenglobes.com |access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

In June 1970, it was announced that he was being considered to star in [[Papillon (1973 film)|''Papillon'']] (1973), the role that went to [[Steve McQueen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55041-PAPILLON?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1971, he acted in [[Nicolas Gessner]]'s French thriller, ''[[Someone Behind the Door]],'' alongside [[Anthony Perkins]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=324}} Also that year, he acted in Terence Young's French-Spanish-Italian Western, ''[[Red Sun]]''.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=211}}

In 1972, ''[[The Valachi Papers (film)|The Valachi Papers]]'' was directed by Terence Young; Bronson played [[Joseph Valachi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54741-THE-VALACHI-PAPERS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

That year, this overseas fame earned him a special Golden Globe [[Henrietta Award]] for "World Film Favorite – Male" together with [[Sean Connery]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Bronson |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/charles-bronson |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Golden Globes}}</ref>

In 1972, Bronson began a string of successful action films for [[United Artists]], beginning with [[Michael Winner]]'s ''[[Chato's Land]]''. This would lead Winner and Bronson to work on multiple films together, following up with ''[[The Mechanic (1972 film)|The Mechanic]]'' (1972) and ''[[The Stone Killer]]'' (1973).<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54539-CHATOS-LAND?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

By 1973, Bronson was considered to be the world's top box office attraction, and commanded $1 million per film.<ref name="Lardine-1">{{cite news |last1=Lardine |first1=Bob |date=March 18, 1973 |title=Big Bad Bronson |pages=1H |work=The Miami Herald |agency=New York News Service |url= |access-date= |via=}}</ref>

In 1973, Bronson worked with director John Sturges on ''[[Chino (1973 film)|Chino]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chino |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/chino/2030120920/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> Also [[Warner Bros.]] were trying to convince director [[Robert Aldrich]] to have Bronson play the lead in ''[[The Yakuza]]''. The role went to [[Robert Mitchum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55454-THE-YAKUZA?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1974, Bronson's most famous role came at age 52, in ''[[Death Wish (1974 film)|Death Wish]]'', his most popular film, with director Michael Winner.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1440296/Charles-Bronson.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1440296/Charles-Bronson.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Charles Bronson|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=September 1, 2003|access-date=August 2, 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He played Paul Kersey, a successful New York architect who turns into a crime-fighting [[vigilante]] after his wife is murdered and his daughter sexually assaulted. This movie spawned [[Death Wish (film series)|four sequels]] over the next two decades, all starring Bronson.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave McNary |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/bruce-willis-death-wish-remake-annapurna-1202459109/ |title=Bruce Willis' 'Death Wish' Remake Lands November Launch With Annapurna|work=Variety |date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Many critics were displeased with the film, considering it an "immoral threat to society" and an encouragement of antisocial behavior.<ref>{{cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=1974-08-04 |title=Screen: 'Death Wish' Exploits Fear Irresponsibly; 'Death Wish' Exploits Our Fear |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10B1FFE3959157A8EDDAD0894D0405B848BF1D3&scp=16&sq=death%20wish%20VINCENT%20CANBY&st |access-date=2011-11-06}}</ref><ref>[[Champlin, Charles]] (July 31, 1974). "Running Amok for Law, Order". ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Part IV, p. 1.</ref><ref>Arnold, Gary (August 22, 1974). "'Death Wish': Vigilante Justice". ''[[The Washington Post]]''. B13.</ref><ref>[[Siskel, Gene]] (August 9, 1974). "'Death' moves at a killing pace to prove its point". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. Section 2, p. 3.</ref> The film was the 20th highest-grossing film in the US that year, making $22 million at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers – Top-Grossing Movies of 1974 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1974/top-grossing-movies |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

Also that year, he played the lead in ''[[Mr. Majestyk]]'', directed by [[Richard Fleischer]] and based on a book by [[Elmore Leonard]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67519-MR-MAJESTYK?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

=== 1975 to 1989: action film star ===
[[File:Charles Bronson - 1977.JPG|thumb|upright|Bronson as [[Israel]]i military officer [[Dan Shomron]] in ''[[Raid on Entebbe (film)|Raid on Entebbe]]'', 1977]]
In 1975, Bronson starred in two films directed by [[Tom Gries]]: ''[[Breakout (1975 film)|Breakout]]'', a box office bonanza which grossed $21 million on a $4.6 million budget, and ''[[Breakheart Pass (film)|Breakheart Pass]]'', a Western adapted from a novel by [[Alistair MacLean]], which was a box office disappointment.<ref>"Movies: Yesterday's heroism—Could it cure today's ailing western?" Siskel, Gene. ''Chicago Tribune'', February 20, 1977: e2.</ref>

In 1975, he starred in the directorial debut of [[Walter Hill]], ''[[Hard Times (1975 film)|Hard Times]]'', playing a Depression-era street fighter making his living in illegal bare-knuckled matches in Louisiana. It earned good reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-05-22 |title=Hard Times – Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1009211-hard_times |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref> The film was the 29th highest-grossing film in the US that year, making $5 million at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers – Top-Grossing Movies of 1975 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1975/top-grossing-movies |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Numbers}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] said it is "a powerful, brutal film containing a definitive Charles Bronson performance."<ref>[http://www.rogerebert.com Review], rogerebert.com. Accessed May 20, 2024.</ref>

In 1975, he was one of many actors who were offered the lead in ''[[The Shootist]]'' (1976). Bronson turned it down because the character had prostate cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/53860-THE-SHOOTIST?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

Bronson reached his pinnacle in box-office drawing power in 1975, when he was ranked 4th, behind only [[Robert Redford]], [[Barbra Streisand]], and [[Al Pacino]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Hughes|first=Howard|title=Filmgoers' guide to the great crime movies|publisher=I.B. Tauris|year=2006|page=xx|isbn=1-84511-219-9}}</ref>

In 1976, Bronson did a Western for UA, [[Frank D. Gilroy]]'s ''[[From Noon till Three]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55841-FROM-NOON-TILL-THREE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Also that year, Bronson made ''[[St. Ives (1976 film)|St. Ives]]'', his first film with director [[J. Lee Thompson]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-13 |title=An Ideal Partnership – The films of director J. Lee Thompson and actor Charles Bronson – Part 1 |url=https://screenanarchy.com/2017/10/an-ideal-partnership---the-films-of-director-j-lee-thompson-and-actor-charles-bronson-contrib.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=ScreenAnarchy.com}}</ref>

In 1977, Bronson acted in [[Irvin Kershner]]'s ''[[Raid on Entebbe (film)|Raid on Entebbe]],'' where he played [[Dan Shomron]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raid on Entebbe |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/raid-on-entebbe/2030284267/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |work=TV Guide |language=en}}</ref> The [[NBC]] television film was based on the true story of the [[Entebbe raid]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Carter |first=Malcolm N. |date=January 7, 1977 |title='Raid on Entebbe' to be shown on television |journal=The Daily Times |volume=54 |pages=10}}</ref> It received initially good reviews. Capitalizing on its strong [[Ensemble cast|all-star ensemble cast]], a film version was released theatrically in the UK and Europe in early 1977.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barron |first=Colin N. |title=Planes on Film: Ten Favourite Aviation Films |publisher=Extremis Publishing |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-9934932-6-3 |location=UK |pages=209 |language=English}}</ref> At the Golden Globe Awards it won "Best Television Movie".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raid on Entebbe |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/raid-entebbe |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Golden Globes}}</ref> At the Emmy Awards it was nominated for "Outstanding Special – Drama or Comedy" as well as winning and receiving nominations in other categories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raid on Entebbe The Big Event |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/raid-entebbe-big-event |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}</ref> Also that year, he was reunited with Thompson in ''[[The White Buffalo (film)|The White Buffalo]]'', produced by [[Dino de Laurentiis]] for UA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67646-THE-WHITE-BUFFALO?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> UA also released ''[[Telefon (film)|Telefon]]'', directed by [[Don Siegel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/55220-TELEFON?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Finally in 1977, Bronson was announced as the star of [[Raise the Titanic (film)|''Raise the Titanic'']] (1980), but didn't appear in the final product.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56492-RAISE-THE-TITANIC?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In the 1970s, director [[Ingmar Bergman]] wanted to make a film with Bronson but he turned him down finding Bergman's works dull. "Everything is weakness and sickness with Bergman," he said.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kotkin |first=Joel |date=1977-06-03 |title=Charles Bronson: An Enduring Belief in the American Superhero |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1977/06/03/charles-bronson-an-enduring-belief-in-the-american-superhero/ca8f71cf-4354-4e53-94f1-d422a6527b51/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Bronson auditioned for the role of [[Superman]] for the [[Superman (1978 film)|1978 film adaptation]], but producer [[Ilya Salkind]] turned him down for being too earthy and decided to cast [[Christopher Reeve]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Look! It's Christopher Reeve |language=en |work=PEOPLE.com |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-look-its-christopher-reeve-vol-11-no-1/ |access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref> Another 1978 film he was considered as a lead on was ''[[Capricorn One]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56233-CAPRICORN-ONE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> For the 1981 film ''[[Escape from New York]],'' the studio wanted him to play the role of [[Snake Plissken]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabbit |first=The Ultimate |date=2017-08-13 |title=John Carpenter Looks Back at 'Escape From New York' and 'Escape From LA' |url=https://theultimaterabbit.com/2017/08/13/john-carpenter-looks-back-at-escape-from-new-york-and-escape-from-la/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=The Ultimate Rabbit |language=en}}</ref> but director [[John Carpenter]] thought he was too tough-looking and too old for the part, and he decided to cast [[Kurt Russell]] instead.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=Kelly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-6xdEAAAQBAJ |title=We Are the Mutants: The Battle for Hollywood from 'Rosemary's Baby' to 'Lethal Weapon' |last2=Grasso |first2=Michael |last3=McKenna |first3=Richard |date=2022-10-11 |publisher=Watkins Media Limited |isbn=978-1-914420-74-0 |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref>

Bronson went on to make two films for ITC, ''[[Love and Bullets (1979 film)|Love and Bullets]]'' (1979) and ''[[Borderline (1980 film)|Borderline]]'' (1980). He was reunited with Thompson on ''[[Caboblanco]]'' (1980).{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In 1981, Bronson co-lead with [[Lee Marvin]] in [[Peter R. Hunt|Peter Hunt]]'s adventure film ''[[Death Hunt]]''. It is a fictionalized account of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP) pursuit of a man named [[Albert Johnson (criminal)|Albert Johnson]], played by Bronson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56580-DEATH-HUNT?cxt=filmography |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> In [[Vincent Canby]]'s review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', he recognized that two old pros were at work. "Mr. Bronson and Mr. Marvin are such old hands at this sort of movie that each can create a character with ease, out of thin, cold air."<ref>Canby, Vincent. [https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A05EED61138F931A15756C0A967948260 "Death Hunt (1981); 'Death Hunt' pits Bronson against Marvin."] ''The New York Times'', May 22, 1981.</ref> The film grossed $5,000,000 at the US box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Death Hunt (1981) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Death-Hunt |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

Between 1976 and 1994, Bronson commanded high salaries to star in numerous films made by smaller production companies, most notably [[Cannon Films]], for whom some of his last films were made.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=141}}

Bronson was paid $1.5 million ({{Inflation|US|1500000|1982|fmt=eq}}) by Cannon to star in ''[[Death Wish II]]'' (1982), directed by Michael Winner.<ref name="death">THE REINCARNATION OF A 'DEATH WISH'. Trombetta, Jim. ''Los Angeles Times'', July 13, 1981: G1.</ref> In the story, architect Paul Kersey (Bronson) moves to Los Angeles with his daughter. After she is murdered at the hands of several gang members, Kersey once again becomes a vigilante. Cannon Films promptly hired Bronson for ''[[10 to Midnight]]'' (1983), in which he played a cop chasing a serial killer. The film marks the fourth collaboration between Bronson and director J. Lee Thompson.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

ITC Entertainment hired Thompson and Bronson for ''[[The Evil That Men Do (film)|The Evil That Men Do]]'' (1984). Cannon Films reunited Bronson and Winner for ''[[Death Wish 3]]'' (1985). In ''[[Murphy's Law (film)|Murphy's Law]]'' (1986), directed by Thompson, Bronson plays Jack Murphy, a hardened, antisocial [[LAPD]] detective who turns to alcohol to numb the pain of harsh reality.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In 1986, he starred in [[John Mackenzie (film director)|John Mackenzie]]'s ''[[Act of Vengeance (1986 film)|Act of Vengeance]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Act of Vengeance |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/act-of-vengeance/2000345122/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |work=TV Guide |language=en}}</ref> Based on a true story, he plays union leader [[Joseph Yablonski]] going against [[W.A. Boyle]] ([[Wilford Brimley]]). For the [[HBO]] television film, Bronson acted against type and said "it's a complete departure for me, I'm not wearing a moustache, and I'm not carrying a gun. I don't perform any violence in this film."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=February 27, 1986 |title=Bronson stars in 'Vengeance' |journal=Rocky Mount Telegraph |volume=75 |page=17}}</ref> He explained since he didn't act for television in a long time, he had to think a lot about it before accepting, which he did partly because of his background in mining.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gardella |first=Kay |date=April 19, 1986 |title=Charles Bronson: 'Violence is against my nature' |journal=The Miami Herald |pages=7C}}</ref> For his commitment on this project, Bronson dropped out of a lead role in ''[[The Delta Force]]'' (1986).<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57303-THE-DELTA-FORCE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> Greg Burliuk of the ''[[Kingston Whig-Standard]]'' and Robert DiMatteo of ''[[The Advocate-Messenger]]'' both praised Bronson acting against type.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Burliuk |first=Greg |date=October 30, 1986 |title=Story of a union power struggle is much more than a Charles Bronson vehicle |journal=The Kingston Whig-Standard |pages=32}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=DiMatteo |first=Robert |date=May 4, 1986 |title=Harmon is convincing as Bundy |journal=The Advocate-Messenger |volume=120 |page=TV Parade: 2}}</ref>
[[File:Charles Bronson Cannes.jpg|thumb|upright|Bronson at the 1987 [[Cannes Film Festival]]]]
More typical of this period were four Cannon action films: ''[[Assassination (1987 film)|Assassination]]'' (1987), directed by [[Peter R. Hunt]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57540-ASSASSINATION?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and three with Thompson: ''[[Death Wish 4: The Crackdown]]'' (1987),<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57601-DEATH-WISH-4-THE-CRACKDOWN?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> ''[[Messenger of Death]]'' (1989),<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58836-MESSENGER-OF-DEATH?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> and ''[[Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58088-KINJITE?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

===1990 to 1999: final roles to retirement===
Bronson declined the role of Curly Washburn in ''[[City Slickers]]'' (1991).<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58801-CITY-SLICKERS?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1991, Bronson acted in ''[[The Indian Runner]]'', directed by [[Sean Penn]]. Starring [[David Morse]] and [[Viggo Mortensen]], it is generally positively received.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Runner (1991) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_runner/ |accessdate=November 19, 2010 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' said that Bronson performance "is a performance of quiet, sure power. After his recent string of brainless revenge thrillers, I wondered if Bronson had sort of given up on acting, and was just going through the motions. Here he is so good it is impossible to think of another actor one would have preferred in his place".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Indian Runner |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-indian-runner-1991}}</ref>

In 1991, Bronson acted in [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s TV movie [[Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1991 film)|''Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus'']], directed by [[Charles Jarrott]]. It is a fictionalized account on how the widely republished [[Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus|editorial by the same name]] written in 1897 came to be. In the holiday drama, Bronson plays [[Francis Pharcellus Church]], a reporter assigned to reply to a letter by a young girl, whose family is in despair facing a bleak Christmas.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 8, 1991 |title=ABC confirms 'there is a Santa Claus' |journal=Mount Vernon Argus |pages=Tv Book: 5}}</ref> Linda Renaud of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote that Bronson "cast totally against type, is thoroughly convincing as the distraught newspaperman".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Renaud |first=Linda |date=December 8, 1991 |title=TV review: 'Yes Virginia' |journal=The Daily Advertiser |pages=D-3}}</ref>

In 1993, Bronson was paired with [[Dana Delany]] to lead in the [[CBS]] television film ''[[Donato and Daughter]]'', directed by [[Rod Holcomb]]. In it, Bronson plays Delany's father, and are both cops assigned to investigate a serial killer. In Kay Gardella's review published in [[The Gazette (Montreal)|''The Gazette'']] she says "Delany and Bronson work well together. Bronson shows a warmer, more caring side than his usual tough-guy image allows. And Delany, as attractive as ever, is crisp and efficient as a cop."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gardella |first=Kay |date=September 21, 1993 |title=Donato and daughter: Delany, Bronson work well together. |journal=The Gazette |pages=F7}}</ref>

Also that year, he acted against type playing the antagonist in [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]]'s television film ''[[The Sea Wolf (1993 film)|The Sea Wolf]]'', an adaptation of the [[The Sea-Wolf|novel by the same name]], with the lead played by [[Christopher Reeve]]. About playing the main villain Bronson had reservations, and said "I was a little worried about all of the dialogue. I don't usually do that much talking in movies. And this is a bad guy. A really bad guy."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 18, 1993 |title=The return of "The Sea Wolf" |journal=The Modesto Bee |pages=Tv Week: 6}}</ref> Ray Loynd of ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that "Bronson playing what's probably his first thinking's man heavy seems right at home."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Loynd |first=Ray |date=April 17, 1993 |title='Sea Wolf' captures spirits of the novel |journal=The Los Angeles Times |pages=F12}}</ref>

Bronson's last starring role in a theatrically released film was 1994's ''[[Death Wish V: The Face of Death]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59782-DEATH-WISH-V--THE-FACE-OF-DEATH?cxt=filmography |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> The film received unfavorable reviews, many feeling that film was dull, too gory, with Bronson bored of playing that role again.<ref>{{cite news |author=Chris Willman |date=1994-01-17 |title=Movies: Another One for Bronson's 'Wish' List |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-17-ca-12753-story.html |access-date=2012-07-04 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1994-01-17 |title=Movie Review - ''Death Wish V: The Face of Death'' - Review/Film; It's Not Just The Killing, It's the How |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B06E4D81F31F934A25752C0A962958260 |access-date=2012-07-04 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=January 15, 1994 |title=Death Wish V: The Face of Death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/deathwishvthefaceofdeathrharrington_a0aba4.htm |access-date=16 August 2016 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Leydon |first=Joe |date=January 16, 1994 |title=Review: 'Death Wish V: The Face of Death' |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/death-wish-v-the-face-of-death-1200435258/ |access-date=16 August 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Russell |first=Candice |date=January 18, 1994 |title=Death Wish redux |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |pages=3E}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Means |first=Sean P. |date=May 17, 1994 |title='Death Wish V' should be put out of audience's misery |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |pages=C5}}</ref>

From 1995 to 1999, Bronson acted in a trilogy of TV movies as Commissioner Paul Fein,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Michaels |first=Taylor |date=August 24, 2001 |title=Viewers' voices |journal=The Morning Star |pages=B7}}</ref> the patriarch of a family of law enforcers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bobbin |first=Jay |date=November 26, 1995 |title=Charles Bronson play a father in a 'Family of Cops' |journal=The Baltimore Sun |pages=Tv: 2}}</ref> They were ''[[Family of Cops]]'' (1995),<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Family of Cops |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/a-family-of-cops/2000034870/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Breach of Faith: A Family of Cops 2]]'' (1997),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breach of Faith: Family of Cops II |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/breach-of-faith-family-of-cops-ii/2030112102/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[Family of Cops 3]]'' (1999).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Family of Cops III |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/family-of-cops-iii/2030009728/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>

Bronson's health deteriorated in his later years, and he retired from acting after undergoing hip replacement surgery in August 1998.<ref name=":2" />

== Death ==
Bronson died at age 81 on August 30, 2003, at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] in Los Angeles.

Although [[pneumonia]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]] have been cited as his cause of death, neither appears on his death certificate, which cites "[[respiratory failure]]", "metastatic lung cancer", with, secondarily, "[[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]]" and "[[congestive cardiomyopathy]]" as the causes of death.<ref name="deathcertificate">[http://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/deathcert/bronson,%20charles_dc.pdf Death Certificate for Charles Bronson], autopsyfiles.org; accessed November 12, 2016.</ref> He was interred at Brownsville Cemetery in [[West Windsor, Vermont]].<ref name="obituary" />

==Screen persona and technique==
[[File:CharlesBronsonStarHWF.jpg|thumb|Bronson's [[List of actors with Hollywood Walk of Fame motion picture stars|star]] on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]]]
At the time of his death, film critic [[Stephen Hunter]] said that Bronson "oozed male life-force, stoic toughness, capability, strength" and "always projected the charisma of ambiguity: Was he an ugly handsome man or a handsome ugly man? You were never sure, so further study was obligatory." Hunter said, "he never became a great actor, but he knew exactly how to dominate a scene quietly." Bronson "was the man with the name ending in a vowel&nbsp;... who never left the position, never complained, never quit, never skulked. He simmered, he sulked, he bristled with class resentments, but he hung in there, got the job done and expected no thanks. His nobility was all the more palpable for never having to be expressed in words."<ref name="Hunter">{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Stephen |title=Bronson's gifts: a glorious toughness and 'the right face at the right time' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-06-et-hunter6-story.html |access-date=February 10, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=The Washington Post |date=September 6, 2003}}</ref>

Bronson told critic [[Roger Ebert]] in 1974 that "I'm only a product like a cake of soap, to be sold as well as possible." He said that in the action pictures he was producing at the time, there was not much time for acting. He said: "I supply a presence. There are never any long dialogue scenes to establish a character. He has to be completely established at the beginning of the movie, and ready to work."<ref name="ebert" />

Director [[Michael Winner]] said that Bronson did not have to "go into any big thing about what he does or how he does it" because he had a "quality that the motion-picture camera seems to respond to. He has a great strength on the screen, even when he's standing still or in a completely passive role. There is a depth, a mystery – there is always the sense that something will happen."<ref name="ebert" />

== Partial accolades ==

* '''Nominee''' Emmy Awards "Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Series" (1961)<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=280}}
* '''Winner''' Golden Globes "World Film Favorite – Male" (1972)<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=212}}
* '''Included''' on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] (1980)<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rmAY3cqpOEgC&dq=%22charles+bronson%22+%22hollywood+walk+of+fame%22&pg=PA129 |title=California, 1847-1852 |date=1942 |publisher=Casa Editrice Bonechi |pages=129 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==

===Character and personality===
Bronson was scarred by his early deprivation and his early struggles as an actor. A 1973 newspaper profile said that he was so shy and introverted he could not watch his own films. Bronson was described as "still suspicious, still holds grudges, still despises interviews, still hates to give anything of himself, still can't believe it has really happened to him." He was embittered that it took so long for him to be recognized in the U.S., and after achieving fame he refused to work for a noted director who had snubbed him years before.<ref name="Lardine-2" />

Critic [[Roger Ebert]] wrote in 1974 that Bronson does not volunteer information, does not elaborate, and has no theories about his films. He wrote that Bronson threatened to "get" [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]] critic [[Jay Cocks]], who had written a negative review he viewed as a personal attack and, unlike other actors who projected violence on film, Bronson seemed violent in person.<ref name="ebert" />

===Marriages===
His first marriage was to Harriet Tendler, whom he met when both were fledgling actors in Philadelphia. They had two children, Suzanne and Tony, before divorcing in 1965.<ref name="stockman2011">{{Cite web |url=http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2011/01/wamg-interview-harriett-bronson-first-wife-of-charles-bronson-and-author-of-charlie-and-me/ |title=WAMG Interview: Harriett Bronson, first wife of Charles Bronson and author of CHARLIE AND ME – We Are Movie Geeks |last=Stockman |first=Tom|date=January 19, 2011 |website=We Are Movie Geeks |access-date=June 24, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624234329/http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2011/01/wamg-interview-harriett-bronson-first-wife-of-charles-bronson-and-author-of-charlie-and-me/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was 18 years old when she met the 26-year-old Charlie Buchinsky at a Philadelphia acting school in 1947. Two years later, with the grudging consent of her father, a successful, Jewish dairy farmer, Tendler wed Buchinsky, a Catholic and a former coal miner. Tendler supported them both while she and Charlie pursued their acting dreams. On their first date, he had four cents in his pocket&nbsp;— and went on, now as Charles Bronson, to become one of the highest paid actors in the country.<ref name="bronson2010">{{cite book |last=Bronson |first=Harriett |title=Charlie and Me |publisher=Timberlake Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-9828847-0-6}}</ref>

Bronson was married to English actress [[Jill Ireland]] from October 5, 1968,<ref>Charles Bronson Documentary, Biography Channel.</ref> until her death in 1990. He had met her in 1962, when she was married to Scottish actor [[David McCallum]]. At the time, Bronson (who shared the screen with McCallum in ''The Great Escape'') reportedly told him, "I'm going to marry your wife". The Bronsons lived in a [[Bel Air, Los Angeles|Bel-Air]] mansion with seven children: two by his previous marriage, three by hers (one of whom was adopted), and two of their own, Zuleika and [[Katrina Holden Bronson|Katrina]], the latter of whom was also adopted.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bart |first1=Peter |date=April 9, 2001 |title=A visit with the other Prince Charles |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/columns/a-visit-with-the-other-prince-charles-1117796697/ |access-date=June 17, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en}}</ref> After they married, she often played his leading lady, and they starred in fifteen films together.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite book|last= Stevens|first= Christopher|title= Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams|publisher= John Murray|year= 2010|isbn=978-1-84854-195-5|pages=370/1}}</ref>

To maintain a close family, they would load up everyone and take them to wherever filming was taking place, so that they could all be together. They spent time in a colonial farmhouse on {{convert|260|acre|km2}} in West Windsor, Vermont,<ref name="obituary">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-08-31-bronson-dies_x.htm |title=Action film star Charles Bronson dead at 81|access-date=December 19, 2008 |work=USA Today |date=September 1, 2003}}</ref> where Ireland raised horses and provided training for their daughter Zuleika so that she could perform at the higher levels of horse showing.{{r|dambrosio2011|p=130}} The family frequented [[Snowmass, Colorado]], in the 1980s and early 1990s for the winter holidays.{{r|dambrosio2011|p=248}}

On May 18, 1990, aged 54, [[War metaphors in cancer|after a long battle]] with [[breast cancer]], Jill Ireland died of the disease at their home in [[Malibu, California]].<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/19/obituaries/jill-ireland-actress-54-is-dead-wrote-of-her-fight-with-cancer.html |title=Jill Ireland, Actress, 54, Is Dead; Wrote of Her Fight With Cancer |last=Yarrow |first=Andrew L. |date=May 19, 1990 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref> In the 1991 television film ''Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story'', Bronson was portrayed by actor [[Lance Henriksen]].<ref name="tucker1991">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/05/17/reason-living-jill-ireland-story/ |title=Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=May 17, 1991 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> On December 27, 1998, Bronson was married for a third time to Kim Weeks, an actress and former employee of Dove Audio who had helped record Ireland in the production of her audiobooks. The couple remained married until Bronson's death in 2003.<ref name="evans2020">{{cite book |last=Evans |first=Art |date=June 23, 2020 |title=World War II Veterans in Hollywood |url={{Google books|u3ntDwAAQBAJ|page=140|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1-4766-3967-3}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Charles Bronson filmography}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* Michael R. Pitts (1999). ''Charles Bronson: the 95 films and the 156 television appearances''. McFarland & Company. {{ISBN|0-7864-0601-1}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|314}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{Find a Grave|7811840}}
* [https://archive.today/20140602121026/http://www.walter-riml.at/www.walter-riml.at/1962_The_Great_Escape.html New publication with private photos of the shooting & documents of 2nd unit cameraman Walter Riml] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200113/http://tiroler-filmarchiv.at/2.html Photos of the filming ''The Great Escape'']

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[[Category:1921 births]]
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[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]]
[[Category:Deaths from respiratory failure in the United States]]
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