Scholars’ Spotlight: Sharon Tate

Early Years

Sharon Tate was born on January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. An Army brat, Tate had lived in six different cities by the age of sixteen. Because of this constant upheaval, as well as a natural shyness, she found it hard to make close friendships.

In 1959, Tate won a beauty pageant. She was crowned “Miss Richland (Washington).” However, her family had decided to move to Italy before she could further compete for the title of “Miss Washington.”

“The most beautiful woman I ever saw. Spontaneous and wickedly funny.”

– Steve McQueen

Starting Out In Italy

After finishing high school in Vicenza, Italy in 1961, Tate was cast as an extra in Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man. Released in 1962, the film starred Paul Newman and Richard Beymer. During production, Tate dated Beymer, who encouraged her to begin a career in acting.

That same year, Tate was cast as an extra in Barabbas, released in the US in late 1962 and starring Jack Palance. The actor noticed her and arranged for her to have a screen test in Rome. Unfortunately, this led to no further roles.

Beginning Hollywood Roles

In 1962, Tate moved to Los Angeles in order to try and make it as an actress. She contacted Harold Gefsky, who was also Richard Beymer’s agent. Upon meeting Tate, Gefsky agreed to represent her.

The following year, Gefsky was able to secure a seven-year contract for Tate with Filmways Inc. They produced shows including Mr. Ed and The Beverly Hillbillies. Filmways founder Martin Ransohoff thought Tate lacked confidence. Subsequently, he started Tate with small roles on his shows. As Tate would later claim:

“Mr. Ransohoff didn’t want the audience to see me till I was ready.”

In 1963, Tate got engaged to French actor Philippe Forquet but ended the relationship the following year. She then began to date Jay Sebring, a Hollywood hairstylist. During this time she lost out in starring roles in both The Cincinnati Kid and The Sound of Music.

European Movies

Tate finally nabbed a starring role in 1966’s Eye of the Devil, which was shot in England and France in the fall of 1965. Tate said of starring in a movie with legendary actors David Niven and Deborah Kerr:

“Of course I was nervous, but I was flattered rather than intimidated because everybody put me at such ease. They are such pros. You don’t see their technique, but when you are surrounded by the best it brings out the best in you.”

Although Jay Sebring accompanied Tate during the filming of the movie, Sebring left prior to completion. Tate would remain in London after completion to enjoy the cool fashions and rock culture that consumed the city at the time.

Tate’s next movie role was in The Fearless Vampire Killers. Released in late 1967 the film co-starring and was directed by Roman Polanski. As it was shot in Italy, Tate’s ability to speak Italian fluently proved to be useful during the production.

Although Tate and Polanski didn’t get along initially, the two eventually began a relationship and wound up moving in together after filming concluded. Sebring visited their apartment in London and became close friends with the couple. This was despite his past relationship with Tate.

Hollywood Return

Back in Hollywood, Tate played opposite Tony Curtis in Don’t Make Waves. Released in 1967, her role in the film was “Malibu, Queen of the Surf.” For the part, she wore a bikini for almost the entire movie. Tate didn’t like the film, or the role, at all.

Next, the actress was cast as one of the leads in Valley of the Dolls, released in late-1967 and co-starring Patty Duke and Barbara Parkins. This film would be Tate’s biggest box office success; with a worldwide gross of over $50,0000,000.

Married Life

After completing Valley of the Dolls, Tate moved back to London to be with Polanski. They were married on January 20, 1968. While Tate wanted a traditional marriage, Polanski insisted on sleeping around. The actress knew this and agreed to marry him anyway, hoping he would be faithful.

The pair soon moved back to Hollywood and became the hottest couple in town; rubbing elbows with the likes of Warren Beatty, Jim Morrison, Henry Fonda, Peter Fonda, Steve McQueen, and Mia Farrow.

As was the time, the Polanskis had a “free” attitude towards life and didn’t lock the doors to their home, nor care who entered. Friends were concerned about their reckless and carefree lifestyle. Within a year, this behavior would lead to tragic fatalities at their home.

Final Roles

Sharon Tate began to train with Bruce Lee in order to prepare for her role in The Wrecking Crew, released in 1968 and starring Dean Martin as the spy character, Matt Helm. Tate performed all of her own stunts in the movie, and Martin enjoyed working with her so much that he wanted to co-star with her again.

Next, the actress would travel back to Italy in order to work with legendary auteur Orson Welles in The Thirteenth Chairs, released in 1970. Tragically, this film would be Sharon Tate’s final performance.

Because Tate’s role in the film called for several semi-nude scenes – and Tate was  pregnant at the time – it was arranged that she would film these scenes first. Nicolas Gessner and Luciano Lucignani, the directors of the film, would often obscure Tate’s stomach with oversized purses, and large scarves.

Murder

On August 9, 1969, in an act of violence that would bring a tragic end to the “free love” spirit of the 1960s, Sharon Tate was stabbed sixteen times in her home. The actress was almost nine months pregnant at the time. Four other people were also brutally murdered that night, including Sebring.

In September 1969, members of Charles Manson’s “family” were arrested on charges that were unrelated to Tate’s senseless murder. Eventually, authorities were able to break the Tate case, and the members of Manson’s family confessed that it was the address of the house, and not its occupants, that led to the killing spree. Polanski would later reflect:

“Sharon was more than just stunning to look at. She wasn’t naïve or stupid or a cliché starlet. What had impressed me most about her, quite apart from her exceptional beauty, was the sort of radiance that springs from a kind and gentle nature.”

The house at 10050 Cielo Drive had previously been rented to record producer Terry Melcher, an acquaintance of Manson, who had apparently done Manson wrong. It was a horrible turn of bad luck that Tate, Sebring, and the others were in the wrong house at the wrong time.

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