It All Started In Pasadena -- Actor Charles Bronson’s First Wife to Speak at Vroman’s Bookstore

April 22, 2012 - PRLog -- How did a former coal miner, who had only four cents in his pocket on his first date with his future wife, go on to become one of the highest paid movie stars in the world? Hear the rags to riches story of Hollywood movie actor Charles Bronson as told by his first wife, Harriett Bronson, when she speaks at a book signing for her memoir, "Charlie & Me," at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena on Friday May 4 at 7 p.m.

"Charlie & Me,"(Timberlake Press), a Global eBook Award finalist, tells how the couple met in a Philadelphia drama school, fell in love, married and came to California by bus so Charlie could attend the Pasadena Playhouse. They moved into a back porch apartment in a house on El Molino Avenue (now a sober living center). Charlie spent his days studying acting at the Playhouse, Harriett worked in a handbag store for $27 dollars a week to help support them. Charlie was finally “discovered,” got parts in movies, and went on to become one of the best-known and highest paid actors in the world.

The Bronson’s high profile marriage produced two children, but disintegrated after Charlie fell under the spell – and into the bed – of the also-married English actress, Jill Ireland, while he was in Germany filming THE GREAT ESCAPE. After their divorce, Harriett sought a career other than just being “the ex Mrs. Famous” and ended up becoming a radio talk show host for nine years (on KABC, KIEV and KGIL). One reviewer dubbed her husky “purr” the “best female voice in radio.”

“I enjoyed watching Charlie’s incredible success, even after I was no longer a part of it,” the author says in her memoir.  “At least the children were a part of it, and for them it was wonderful.  Just witnesses his success was a trip.”

Vroman’s is located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. "Charlie & Me" is available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Kindle. Published by Timberlake Press.