Charles Bronson was a famous American actor known for his tough-guy roles in popular movies like “The Magnificent Seven” and “Death Wish”. Despite his reputation as a fearless tough guy on screen, Bronson had a silly fear that plagued him throughout his life: he was terrified of elevators.
Born Charles Dennis Buchinsky in Pennsylvania in 1921, Bronson grew up in a working-class family and joined the Air Force during World War II. After the war, he worked a series of odd jobs before turning to acting in the late 1950s. His breakthrough role came in 1960’s “The Magnificent Seven”, which led to a string of successful films throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite his success on screen, Bronson was plagued by a phobia of elevators. According to his wife Jill Ireland, Bronson would avoid elevators at all costs and would even walk up several flights of stairs to avoid them. This fear was so strong that Bronson once canceled an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson because he was too afraid to ride the elevator to the studio.
Bronson’s fear of elevators may seem trivial, but it was a serious problem for the actor. At the height of his fame in the 1970s, he was a frequent target of autograph seekers and fans who would often approach him in elevators. This made him extremely anxious and uncomfortable, and he would often try to hide in the corner of the elevator to avoid being noticed.
Despite his fear, Bronson continued to act in films and television throughout his career, appearing in more than 100 movies and TV shows. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 81.
While Bronson’s fear of elevators may seem silly, it was a real and debilitating phobia that he struggled with throughout his life. Despite this, he was able to achieve great success in his career and leave a lasting legacy in Hollywood.
Charles Bronson was an American actor known for his tough-guy persona and his roles in popular action movies. He was born in 1921 in Pennsylvania to Lithuanian immigrant parents. As a young man, he worked in a coal mine and served in World War II. After the war, he studied acting and began his career in theater. In the 1950s, he appeared in several TV shows and films, but it was not until the 1960s that he became a major movie star.
Bronson’s tough-guy image and stoic demeanor made him a favorite among action movie fans. He starred in many successful films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “The Magnificent Seven”, “The Great Escape”, “Death Wish” and “The Dirty Dozen”. He was also known for his collaborations with director Michael Winner, with whom he made several films.
Bronson was married three times in his life, and he had six children. His second wife was actress Jill Ireland, with whom he appeared in many films. She died of breast cancer in 1990, and Bronson was devastated by her loss.
In his later years, Bronson suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and was mostly retired from acting. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 81. Despite his tough-guy persona on screen, those who knew him described him as a gentle and private man off screen.
