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May 2005 Update: Added new photos from "12+1" movie.
News: January 25, 2005 will mark the 62nd anniversary of Sharon's birth
Be sure to check a very nice "Dance of the Vampires" website by clicking here.
"Fearless Vampire Killers" is now available on DVD! The most important extra is a "making-of" featurette. The DVD also includes subtitles in in English, Spanish and French. Audio is available in English and French. You can order it now on Amazon.
Biography:
Sharon Tate was born January 24, 1943 and died at the young age of 26 in August 1969. The daughter of Paul and Doris Tate, Sharon won the title of Miss Tiny Tot of Dallas at the age of six months. Her father's military career often moved the family to various locations around the United States and Europe.
As a teen, she entered and won various beauty pageants and even appeared on the cover of "Stars and Stripes." She soon made an ever bigger appearance on a Pat Boone TV special. The Tate family moved again, in 1962, to Italy where Sharon appeared as an extra in the movie "Barabbas." At this time, she also made a few Hollywood connections.
Again, the Tates were transferred back to the United States where Sharon was able to pursue a career in Hollywood and signed with agent Hal Gefsky. This led to some work in commercials and modeling. Gefsky also introduced Sharon to Martin Ransohoff, who was the chairman of Filmways. Sharon signed with Filmways.
Filmways initially used Sharon for a one-time appearance as a student on "The Beverly Hillbillies" but soon added her as the recurring character Janet Trego. She played the part for two seasons wearing a dark wig to disguise her for bigger and better things while she gained acting experience. During this time, Sharon also appeared on a couple of episodes of "Mr. Ed" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." She was even temporarily cast to play one of the three daughters on "Petticoat Junction."
At this time, Sharon began dating Jay Sebring. Jay was a well known hairstylist to many celebrities.
Martin Ransohoff cast Sharon in the 1966 film "13" (later re-titled as "Eye of the Devil"). For a young actress, the part was perfect since it consisted of quite a bit of screen time but few lines.
In 1966, Roman Polanski was directing "The Fearless Vampire Killers." Ransohoff was producing the film and convinced Polanski to consider Sharon for the lead female character, Sarah. During filming, Sharon broke up with Jay in order to begin seeing Roman, her future husband. Jay would remain a close friend for the remainder of their lives. Also at this time, Roman photographed Sharon in the nude for the March 1967 issue of "Playboy" magazine.
Sharon Tate next appeared in the 1967 movie "Don't Make Waves." Her character was named Malibu and has been said to be the inspiration for the doll Malibu Barbie. At this point, Sharon and Roman became unhappy with the direction Martin Ransohoff was taking her career.
For her next role, Sharon was to play the part of Jennifer North in "Valley of the Dolls." This was destined to be her most remembered work although she was unhappy with the final film. Today, it is considered to be a camp classic. During filming, Roman was working on "Rosemary's Baby" and Sharon was briefly considered for the lead.
On January 20, 1968, Sharon and Roman were married in London. Sharon also parted ways with Martin Ransohoff so she could pursue roles more to her liking. The first was to be the spy spoof "The Wrecking Crew" which starred Dean Martin as secret agent Matt Helm. Her comedic acting drew positive reviews and she was nominated as Best New Comer in the Golden Globe awards.
But 1968 also brought some tragedy to Sharon Tate's life. On June 3, she and Roman attended a dinner for Robert Kennedy. The following day, Kennedy was assassinated. This was followed by happiness when, a few months later, Sharon learned she was pregnant.
In February 1969, Sharon and Roman moved to 10050 Cielo Drive, an isolated cul-de-sac in the canyons above Beverly Hills. On March 24, she flew to Rome to act in "13 Chairs" (re-titled as "12+1"). The director had to take care to disguise Sharon's pregnancy on screen. At the conclusion of filming, she rejoined Roman in London and then returned to Cielo Drive.
At eight and a half months pregnant, Sharon was murdered along with Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski and Steven Parent in August 1969. Members of the Charles Manson Family were later convicted and are still in prison, today.