Charles Bronson

Just wanted to post that another fine man and actor who helped keep the western gerne active has died today at the age of 81 years. Charles Bronson was an unique person on screen, and had a way of getting his characters on screen. Best known for the Death Wish series, but one I liked him in was Magnificent 7.

Story below is from CNN

(CNN) -- Actor Charles Bronson, perhaps best known for his "Death Wish" films, has died in Los Angeles, California, following a four-week bout with pneumonia, his publicist said. He was 81.

Born Charles Buchinsky in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, in 1921, he broke into movies following Army service in World War II. As a youth he worked as a coal miner.

Among his other notable films are "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape" and the "Dirty Dozen." He won a Golden Globe for his role in "Rider on the Rain."

"Acting is the easiest thing I've done. I guess that's why I'm stuck with it," he once said.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Here is some more info on Bronson that might interest you.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rugged tough-guy actor Charles Bronson, a veteran of over 60 films, including the 1974 movie "Death Wish" has died at the age of 81, CNN reported on Sunday.

CNN said he died in Los Angeles after a bout with pneumonia.

Bronson, who was famous for his roles as a quiet, tough-talking hero in often violent films, was in 1972 named the biggest box office star by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and received the Gold Star Award as the film industry's top international star in 1979.

His craggy looks, menacing presence and understated acting style helped earn him applause in such films as "The Magnificent Seven" (1960), "The Great Escape" (1963) and "The Dirty Dozen" (1967).

His reputation was confirmed in such later movies as "Mr. Majestyk" (1974) as well as "Death Wish" and its sequels in 1981 and 1986.

Cheers, Hondo B)