Charles Bronson (November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an America (United States)n actor best known for his "tough guy" image, who starred in such classic films as Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape (The Great Escape (film)), Mr. Majestyk, The Mechanic, and the popular Death Wish (Death Wish (film)) series. He was most often cast in the role of a police officer or gunfighter, often in revenge plot lines.

Bronsons first film role was as a Polish (Poland) sailor in Youre in the Navy Now in 1951, he also made several appearances on television in the 1950s and 1960s. Bronson was nominated for an Emmy Award for his supporting role in a TV episode with the title "Memory in White." In the 1970s he became one of the top ten box-office stars. He made films in many genres including crime, western and others.

Bronsons last starring role in a theatrically released film was 1994s Death Wish V: The Face of Death. His health deteriorated in later years, and he retired from acting after undergoing hip-replacement surgery in 1998. Bronson also suffered from Alzheimers disease in his final years.