Hollywood great Charles Bronson has died of pneumonia, aged 81.
The miner-turned-acting hardman was with his wife at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre when he died.
Among his most famous films were the four in the Death Wish series, which kicked off with him playing an architect forced into the role of vigilante after his wife is killed and daughter raped.
And some of his other credits are among the film industry's most enduring movies - The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and The Dirty Dozen.
Bronson was born Charles Bunckinsky on November 3, 1921 in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania.
He was the 11th of 15 children born to a coal miner and his wife, both Lithuanian immigrants.
His blunt manner and rugged looks earned him a worldwide fan base but many film insiders felt they also hindered him, differing from the stereotypical image of a leading man Hollywood craved.
The first Death Wish film, released in 1974, sparked controversy for its violent scenes and was exacerbated by killers reportedly copying the film's plot.
But in a 1987 interview, Bronson said: "I think they provide satisfaction for people who are victimised by crime and look in vain for authorities to protect them.
"But I don't think people try to imitate that kind of thing.''
His first marriage was to Harriet Tendler, whom he met when they were both struggling actors in Philadelphia. They had two children before divorcing.
In 1966, he married actress Jill Ireland, who when they met had been married to British actor David McCallum.
She died in 1990 from cancer after which he married his third, and final wife.
Bronson, who made more than 60 films, is survived by his wife, Kim, six children and two grandchildren.
The miner-turned-acting hardman was with his wife at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre when he died.
Among his most famous films were the four in the Death Wish series, which kicked off with him playing an architect forced into the role of vigilante after his wife is killed and daughter raped.
And some of his other credits are among the film industry's most enduring movies - The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and The Dirty Dozen.
Bronson was born Charles Bunckinsky on November 3, 1921 in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania.
He was the 11th of 15 children born to a coal miner and his wife, both Lithuanian immigrants.
His blunt manner and rugged looks earned him a worldwide fan base but many film insiders felt they also hindered him, differing from the stereotypical image of a leading man Hollywood craved.
The first Death Wish film, released in 1974, sparked controversy for its violent scenes and was exacerbated by killers reportedly copying the film's plot.
But in a 1987 interview, Bronson said: "I think they provide satisfaction for people who are victimised by crime and look in vain for authorities to protect them.
"But I don't think people try to imitate that kind of thing.''
His first marriage was to Harriet Tendler, whom he met when they were both struggling actors in Philadelphia. They had two children before divorcing.
In 1966, he married actress Jill Ireland, who when they met had been married to British actor David McCallum.
She died in 1990 from cancer after which he married his third, and final wife.
Bronson, who made more than 60 films, is survived by his wife, Kim, six children and two grandchildren.
