Sharon Tate

A true "army brat," Texas-born Sharon Tate moved from city to city, and from nation to nation during her formative years. She was living in Verona, Italy, when she was elected her high school's homecoming queen -- one of many such honors bestowed on the dazzlingly beautiful Tate. After extras work in Italian films, Tate decided to try her luck in Hollywood. She appeared in such TV series as The Beverly Hillbillies and was featured in films like The Wheeler Dealers (1963) and The Sandpiper (1963). While starring in the British horror spoof The Fearless Vampire Killers: Or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (1967), Sharon fell in love with the film's director, Polish-born Roman Polanski. She became Polanski's wife shortly after completing her best screen role, as the pill-popping, suicidal young starlet in Valley of the Dolls (1967). Her last major film assignment was a comedy lead in the Matt Helm espionager The Wrecking Crew (1969). On August 9, 1969, a pregnant Sharon Tate and several of her house guests were brutally murdered by members of cult leader Charles Manson's "family." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide