Classic Actresses: January 2009

Born:24 January 1943, Dallas, Texas, USA
Death:9 August 1969, Beverly Hills, California, USA (homicide)
Real Name:Sharon Marie Tate
Spouse
Roman Polanski (20 January 1968 - 9 August 1969) (her death)
Facts:
-Sharon learned to make friends fast, and to hold on to the friends she made, even when separated by distance. In this way she learned the true value of friendship early in her life. This would also be where Sharon would develop her strong sense of family. Many times in the first ten years of her life her parents would be her sole companions. All that would change in 1952. Sharon's first baby sister, Debra, was born, followed five years later by Patti.
-Sharon's early life was one of constant moving as her father served in the military. When she lived in Italy, she was voted "Homecoming Queen" of her high school. After being an extra in a few Italian films
-When Colonel Tate was transferred back to the States, Sharon saw her chance to make her desire for movie stardom a reality.
-Almost immediately Sharon landed roles in Santa Fe Cigarette and Chevrolet automobile commercials. In addition to commercials Sharon also continued modeling, working with some of the best photographers in the business, such as John Derek, Halsman, Bert Stern and William Chappell.
-Her first big break came when she was cast as the shapely bank secretary, Janet Trego, in the Television Series "The Beverly Hillbillies"(1963-1965)".
-In 1966 Martin Ransohoff was producing a movie to be directed by acclaimed Polish director Roman Polanski. It was to be a spoof of Vampire films. Ransohoff suggested Sharon for the lead female role. Roman wanted Jill St. John but agreed to meet with Sharon. At a dinner party they discussed the role. Roman thought Sharon was beautiful but not right for the part. Upon the insistence of Ransohoff he agreed to do a screen test with her. Sharon, wearing a red wig, came in and tested for Polanski. In Sharon's performance Roman began to see the character of the girl, Sarah, that charms both the vampire who abducts her and takes her to his castle, and the professors' assistant- who would be played by Roman. Roman's character is determined to get Sharon's character back from the vampire at any cost.
-Shooting wrapped on The Fearless Vampire Killers and Sharon had to fly back to the United States to film another movie for Ransohoff, a beach comedy staring Tony Curtis and Claudia Cardinale, Don't Make Waves. Sharon's role in this movie was pivotal and gave her an opportunity to show her talent for comedy.
-Sharon did not enjoy the filming of Don't Make Waves. She was separated from Roman for long periods of time while he did post production work on The Fearless Vampire Killers and she was not thrilled with the way her career seemed to be going under the guidance of Martin Ransohoff. She began to refer to herself, tongue in cheek, as "Sexy little me." She felt that if she did not get a chance for some better and more substantial roles she would forever be locked in the blonde sex goddess roles like the one of Malibu in Don't Make Waves.
-Sharon's big role would be that same year when she was the starlet in Valley of the Dolls (1967). With her marriage to Roman, her life became one of parties, travel, and meeting influential movie people.
-As Sharon was filming Valley of the Dolls Roman was busy making Rosemary's Baby. Roman had initially wanted Sharon for the main role of Rosemary but felt it would have been presumptuous to put her forward himself. The role eventually went to Mia Farrow. Sharon visited Roman often on the set in New York, and became fast friends with Mia. Roman and Sharon accompanied Mia and Frank Sinatra to dinner on several occasions and it was on the set of Rosemary's Baby that Frank Sinatra served Mia with divorce papers. Mia would remember that Sharon and Roman took her in and made her part of their group of friends. Of Sharon, Mia would say "She was like a princess in a fairy tale. As kind as she was beautiful."
-Sharon had become very interested in the Presidential campaign of Robert Kennedy. She went to fund raising dinners in support of Kennedy and on June 3rd 1968 attended a dinner at the home of John Frankenheimer. At the dinner was Robert Kennedy and his wife Ethel. Sharon was thrilled to be able to spend some time with Kennedy and felt even more convinced that he would make a wonderful president.
-She would appear as a red haired beauty in the spy spoof The Wrecking Crew (1969) working with Dean Martin and the equally beautiful Elke Sommer.
-Sharon made her last publicity photo in London for Queen magazine. It was to be a cover to promote the release of "Twelve Plus One". Shortly after, Sharon boarded the Queen Elizabeth II to sail to the United States. Roman would stay behind for a few weeks to finish work for Day of the Dolphin and then would join Sharon at Cielo Drive in Los Angeles for the birth of their child.
-It was not to be. Sharon was murdered shortly after her return to Los Angeles by a cult lead by Charles Manson. Jay Sebring and two other friends were also murdered that night. Sharon begged for the life of her unborn child but she was told that the cult had no mercy for her or her child and she was stabbed to death. In the aftermath of her horrible murder and the murder of her house guests that evening, Sharon's name was drug through the mud by the tabloids. She was accused of horrible things that had no basis in fact. It would only be after the real killers were found and their motives revealed that the truth was told. Still the damage had been done. Sharon's good name had been sullied and still today it is linked to that of pure evil. Her sister Patti would say, "I hate it. I hate that her beautiful name is linked to Charles Manson."

News 29-11-2011

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Walpaper-Sharon Tate