Known for her striking beauty and charming personality, Sharon Tate was an American actress and model whose promising career was tragically cut short when she was murdered by members of the Manson Family Cult.
Everything that’s realistic has some sort of ugliness in it. Even a flower is ugly when it wilts, a bird when it seeks its prey, the ocean when it becomes violent.
Sharon Tate
Early Life of Sharon Tate
Sharon Marie Tate was born on January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, USA. She was the eldest of three daughters to Colonel Paul James Tate, a United States Army intelligence officer, and his wife, Doris Gwendolyn. Sharon’s family used to frequent relocations due to her father’s military career. It led her to live in various cities across the United States and Europe. Sharon was a beautiful child and won the “Miss Tiny Tot of Dallas” pageant at just six months old. Sharon won several beauty pageants during her teenage years, including “Miss Richland” in Washington in 1959.
Acting Career
Sharon’s family moved to Italy, where she attended Vicenza American High School. Her striking looks and photogenic presence caught the attention of filmmakers. Her first screen appearance came as an uncredited role in the film Barabbas (1961). After returning to the US, Sharon pursued a career in modeling and acting. She eventually gets a contract with Filmways, Inc. Despite her stunning looks, Sharon was famous for her no-makeup looks, often using only Vaseline on her lips.
Breakthrough
Her big break came with the television series “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1963-1965), where she played the recurring role of Janet Trego. This exposure paved the way for her transition to film, and she soon landed roles in major Hollywood productions.
One of her earliest successes came with J. Lee Thompson’s British mystery horror film, “Eye of the Devil (1966). Sharon played Odile, a witch exerting mysterious power over a landowner (David Niven) and his wife (Deborah Kerr). Her ethereal performance, though limited in dialogue, was pivotal to the film’s tone. Critics gave mixed reviews, but David Niven praised her as a “great discovery.” The film achieved popularity in Europe but struggled commercially in the U.S.
Sharon starred as Sarah Shagal, a beautiful innkeeper’s daughter in “The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967),” directed by Roman Polanski. Sharon played Sarah, a young woman entangled with vampires. Polanski, who also starred, initially doubted her but later praised her growth. Sharon’s fluent Italian aided communication during filming in Italy. The film received mixed reviews but gained a cult following. This film not only showcased her comedic talent but also led to her marriage to Polanski in 1968.
Sharon Tate The Star
Sharon’s portrayal of Jennifer North, a tragic actress, in “Valley of the Dolls (1967)” earned her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. Directed by Mark Robson, this drama, adapted from Jacqueline Susann’s novel, cast Sharon as Jennifer North, a starlet facing personal struggles. Her nuanced performance earned a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress. Sharon’s role solidified her as a rising Hollywood star.
In this beach comedy Don’t Make Waves (1967) directed by Alexander Mackendrick, Sharon played Malibu, a skydiving surfer. Her vibrant performance and beauty made her a standout, inspiring the Malibu Barbie doll. The film was a moderate success, but Sharon’s role enhanced her sex symbol status. The spy comedy The Wrecking Crew” (1968), directed by Phil Karlson, featured Sharon as Freya Carlson alongside Dean Martin. Her comedic role, inspired by Austin Powers’ Felicity Shagwell, showcased her versatility. Sharon’s performance was a highlight, despite the film’s commercial struggles.
Directed by Nicolas Gessner “12+1 (1969)” the comedy was Sharon’s final film, released posthumously. She played Pat, a lead role in a story about a barber’s misadventures. Filmed while pregnant, Sharon displayed professionalism despite physical demands. The film saw limited success but marked her last on-screen appearance.
Perosnal Life
Besides being a promising actress, Sharon was admired for her grace and charisma on and off camera. Her marriage to famous director Roman Polanski further thrust her into the spotlight.
Sharon dated Richard Beymer in 1961 during Adventures of a Young Man. She was engaged to Philippe Forquet from 1963 to 1964, ending due to career pressures. In 1964, she formed a close friendship with Jay Sebring, declining his marriage proposal.
Sharon Tate met Roman Polanski in 1966 during The Fearless Vampire Killers, beginning a relationship. Sharon married Roman Polanski on January 20, 1968, in London. Their marriage faced challenges due to differing views on fidelity, with Sharon seeking a traditional commitment. She became pregnant in late 1968, expecting a son, Paul Richard Polanski.
I honestly don’t understand the big fuss made over nudity and sex in films. It’s silly. On TV, the children can watch people murdering each other, which is a very unnatural thing, but they can’t watch two people in the very natural process of making love. Now, really, that doesn’t make any sense, does it?
Sharon Tate
The Tragedy
On August 9, 1969, Sharon Tate, eight-and-a-half months pregnant, was murdered at her home at 10050 Cielo Drive, Los Angeles, by members of the Manson Family cult. Charles Manson, a cult leader, ordered followers Charles “Tex” Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian to kill everyone at the residence, previously occupied by music producer Terry Melcher, whom Manson targeted after a rejected music deal.
Sharon was with Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent, who was visiting the caretaker. The group entered after midnight, shooting Parent first. Inside, they tied Sharon and Sebring with ropes, shooting and stabbing Sebring. Frykowski and Folger attempted to escape but were killed. Sharon was stabbed 16 times, and the word “PIG” was written in her blood on the door.
After her murder, Sharon’s father, Paul Tate, disguised himself as a hippie to infiltrate the Manson Family and gather information about his daughter’s death. The killers were arrested by late 1969. Manson, Watson, Atkins, Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten were convicted in 1971, receiving death sentences. The sentance later commuted to life imprisonment after California abolished capital punishment in 1972. The trial drew national attention, exposing Manson’s apocalyptic ideologies. She was buried with her unborn son at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.
The murders shocked Hollywood, ending the 1960s’ carefree optimism. Roman Polanski dedicated his film Tess (1979) to Sharon, inspired by her recommendation of the novel. Sharon’s mother, Doris, founded the Coalition on Victims Equal Rights and the Doris Tate Crime Victims Research Bureau, advocating for victims’ rights. Her activism helped pass California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights in 1982. Sharon’s sister Debra published Sharon Tate: Recollection in 2014, focusing on her life and career. The murders inspired films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), where Sharon’s character survives a fictionalized attack.
Despite her early demise, Sharon Tate is remembered not only for her talent but also for the warmth and vitality she brought to the screen, making her a timeless figure in the hearts of those who appreciated her.
Sharon Tate on IMDB
