Actress. Born in London, England, she began her career as a dancer at the age of 12, and later appeared in British television and movies. She signed a contract with the British film studio, Rank, in 1955, and made her film debut in "Oh, Rosalind" (1955) as a ballerina. In 1957, she married British actor David McCallum, with whom she would later appear in several "Man From UNCLE" television episodes, and in 1962, she moved to Hollywood with her husband. When David McCallum worked in the movie "The Great Escape" (1963), she met actor Charles Bronson, also working in that movie, who would become her second husband. She would appear in numerous small roles in television and movies over the course of her life. Her first American role was as 'Marian Starrett' in the television series, "Shane" (1966). In the 1970s and 1980s, she would appear so often in her husband's movies that she once kidded during an interview that "I'm in so many Charles Bronson films because no other actress will work with him." In 1984, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. She continued to struggle with this disease for the next six years, finally dying of breast cancer in 1990 in Malibu, California. In 1987, she served as chairman of the National Cancer Society. Near the end of her life, she would publish an intimate account of her struggle with breast cancer in her book, Life Wish (1987), and of her adopted son, Jason's heroin addiction (he would die of an accidental overdose in 1989), in the book "Life Lines." She began a third autobiographical book, later published after her death under the title, "Life Times."
Actress. Born in London, England, she began her career as a dancer at the age of 12, and later appeared in British television and movies. She signed a contract with the British film studio, Rank, in 1955, and made her film debut in "Oh, Rosalind" (1955) as a ballerina. In 1957, she married British actor David McCallum, with whom she would later appear in several "Man From UNCLE" television episodes, and in 1962, she moved to Hollywood with her husband. When David McCallum worked in the movie "The Great Escape" (1963), she met actor Charles Bronson, also working in that movie, who would become her second husband. She would appear in numerous small roles in television and movies over the course of her life. Her first American role was as 'Marian Starrett' in the television series, "Shane" (1966). In the 1970s and 1980s, she would appear so often in her husband's movies that she once kidded during an interview that "I'm in so many Charles Bronson films because no other actress will work with him." In 1984, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. She continued to struggle with this disease for the next six years, finally dying of breast cancer in 1990 in Malibu, California. In 1987, she served as chairman of the National Cancer Society. Near the end of her life, she would publish an intimate account of her struggle with breast cancer in her book, Life Wish (1987), and of her adopted son, Jason's heroin addiction (he would die of an accidental overdose in 1989), in the book "Life Lines." She began a third autobiographical book, later published after her death under the title, "Life Times."
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Inscription
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not here, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the autumn's gentle rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not here, I did not die.
Gravesite Details
Cremated remains buried with husband Charles Bronson. Her name is not on the marker.
Family Members
Children
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