Unedited Vintage Photos

LA Times

Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland, 1971

Who ever thought a ripped Pennsylvania coal miner would become the quintessential American bad ass and ultimately known around the world? They certainly don’t make them like Charles Bronson anymore. Here, he is seen with his wife of 22 years, Jill Ireland. It’s funny to think the guy whose nickname in Italy was “Il Bruto” (the Ugly One) landed a catch like Jill. Maybe she saw what others did not. Bronson loved to play tough guy roles and worked hard to keep up his larger than life persona. In fact, in true Death Wish fashion, he often bragged to reporters about his penchant for fist fights and hinted at knife throwing as a favorite hobby. However, Jill knew better. He had no police record and was by all accounts a quiet Hollywood star with a smoking hot wife. As for his real hobby? He enjoyed painting.