Charles Bronson’s Dark Childhood Secret: The Coal Mine That Made Him Feel Like ‘The Lowliest of Men’

The world of Hollywood often makes it seem like actors are born famous, but this wasn’t the case for legendary star Charles Bronson.

Born in 1921 as Charles Dennis Buchinsky, Bronson had a tough childhood. He grew up in a coal mining town called Croyle Township, about 60 miles from Pittsburgh. He was one of 15 children and came in 9th. With such a large family and little money, life was hard. The Bronsons lived in a small, company-built house near the coal tracks. The house was so small that they had to take turns sleeping.

Bronson said, “There was no love in my house.” He remembered how his mother only touched him to pull lice out of his hair.

The town where Bronson grew up wasn’t much better. It was a poor place, mainly serving the interests of coal mining companies. The water was bad, and the future seemed hopeless. Bronson often described his childhood as lonely and unhappy.

As a teenager, things got worse when his father passed away. Bronson had to leave school to help support his family, which meant he became a coal miner.

The work was grueling, and Bronson never forgot the hard labor and the smell of coal. He described the experience as breathing black dust while working on his hands and knees. He also said that working as a miner made him feel like the “lowliest of all forms of man.” He believed coal miners were looked down on compared to railroad or steel workers.

Bronson was eager to escape his tough life and, when he was drafted into the army, he was relieved. For the first time, he expected to be well-fed and well-dressed. This experience would open the door for him to become a star in Hollywood.

After World War II, Bronson returned to the U.S. and studied art before enrolling at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. His talent was soon noticed, and he was referred to director Henry Hathaway. This led to his first film role in 1951’s You’re in the Navy Now. Though his early roles were uncredited, by 1954 he was gaining recognition for his performance in Vera Cruz and, four years later, he became a lead actor in Machine-Gun Kelly.

Bronson worked many odd jobs in the early years of his acting career, including as a bricklayer, cook, and painter. He also changed his name from Buchinsky to Bronson, worried that his Russian surname would be frowned upon during the anti-Communist era.

His big break came in 1974 with the movie Death Wish, where he played Paul Kersey, a vigilante architect. The movie’s success led to several sequels. Bronson’s fame grew even further when he starred in Hard Times in 1975.

Despite his success, Bronson struggled with the memories of his harsh childhood. He was known to avoid people who seemed intrusive or threatening but was friendly and funny once he felt comfortable.

Bronson was married three times. His first wife, Harriet Tendler, was married to him from 1949 to 1965, and they had two children. His second wife was actress Jill Ireland, who appeared in 15 films with him. They had two children, but Ireland sadly passed away from cancer in 1990. Bronson’s third wife was Kim Weeks, whom he married in 1998.

Later in life, Bronson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His decline was a stark contrast to the strong, active man he had once been. His wife Kim took care of him as his health worsened. Bronson passed away on August 30, 2003, at the age of 81, from pneumonia. He left behind his wife, three daughters, a son, two stepsons, and two grandchildren.

Bronson’s life was a long journey from hardship to fame. Though he had a tough start, he went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. His story is a reminder of how far determination and hard work can take someone, no matter where they start.